Remove Phoenix Browser Updater (virus)

Phoenix Browser Updater is a questionable tool used to push false messages about needed upgrades and installations

Phoenix Browser Updater virus illustration

Phoenix Browser Updater is a misleading web browser's extension, which claims to be able to inform its users about pending web browser's updates and provide their downloads. Sometimes, its developer (not specified) can represent it as a “shopping assistant” or “useful tool for improving web browser's performance.”

In fact, the virus is not useful in any way. It's a potentially unwanted program (PUP)^[1] and adware, which injects potentially dangerous components into a web browser and PhoenixBrowserUpdater.exe file into Windows Startup. The successful infiltration is followed by web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) malfunctioning. By saying “malfunctioning,” we mean that:

PUP can start generating intrusive ads (pop-ups, banners, hyperlinks, interstitials, etc.);
The browser can regularly be redirected to suspicious domains. According to experts, this misleading updater is related to Webalta.ru.
It may reduce PC's resistance to malware and install other suspicious programs (TheWorld Browser, Chromium Updater, PMB Updater, Stellar Phoenix, are just a few examples);
Experts from BedyNet.ru^[2] warn that this software utility might contain cookies, which once enabled leak Search Data and other personally non-identifiable information^[3] to unaffiliated third parties.

Name	Phoenix Browser Updater
Type	Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program
Issues	The program causes redirects and pop-ups with promotional messages about fake apps and updates
Distribution	The application can get installed during the insecure freeware installation process when the malicious site is visited or a pop-up ad gets clicked on
Elimination	Terminating the program can be easier if you rely on an anti-malware tool
Repair	Try running the Fortect Intego and find all the affected parts that require recovery

Despite the resemblance of the names, this virus has nothing in common with Phoenix ransomware. The malware is not capable of encrypting personal files or initiate other system's changes directly. However, it can expose people to dangerous web domains filled with malware, rogue software, or services. Thus, you should remove Phoenix Browser Updater from the system as soon as you notice its symptoms within the web browser.

Judging from the content of the affiliated websites, the virus seems to be oriented to Russian-speaking users. However, since it spreads by “bundling,” it can be installed in any country. It may spread as the optional component of freeware.

If the user agrees to install it, it injects the PhoenixBrowserUpdater.exe file Windows startup and keeps running multiple processes within Task Manager. The original location of the virus is %LOCALAPPDATA%\Phoenix Browser Updater, so if you opt for its removal, you should check this patch and delete the main executable of this PUP.

Manual Phoenix Browser Updater removal is possible, so if you opt for trying it, the removal tutorial given at the end of this post can help you. Nonetheless, we would recommend using SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, or another professional security tool to eliminate all related components.

Showing Phoenix Browser Updater malware

PUPs are installed along with free software

PUPs like adware and browser hijackers solely rely on freeware and shareware as a distribution medium. For the sake of monetization, developers of free apps agree to attack web browser extensions and plug-ins as optional downloads.
However, there's a catch. PUPs are hidden under Quick/Recommended installation methods, so when people opt for these methods and hasten the installation by hitting the Next button, they inadvertently permit to the installation of the whole software package.

To prevent this from happening, people should always opt for Advanced or Custom installation each time they install new software. These options will unpack the software bundle and allow deselecting of unwanted apps. Just in case, after installing the application that you opted for, scan the system with a professional anti-malware to check if PUPs did not manage to sneak inside somehow.

Delete the questionable program to stop malicious activities

The intruder removal is the only option that you have if you want to prevent browser redirects, ads, data leakage, and similar unwanted activity. You can do that manually. Make sure to disable Phoenix Browser Updater.exe process, eliminate malware from the AppData folder, and then reset your web browser's settings.

If you want to remove Phoenix Browser Updater quickly and ensure the successful elimination of each file, we would recommend using reputable anti-malware. It will not only speed up the procedure but will also ensure the removal of corrupted registry entries and other related components.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Phoenix Browser Updater

Phoenix Browser Updater is a questionable tool used to push false messages about needed upgrades and installations

PUPs are installed along with free software