Plus Darker browser extension (fake) - Free Guide
Plus Darker browser extension Removal Guide
What is Plus Darker browser extension?
Plus Darker is another browser hijacker that pretends it can provide dark mode
Plus Darker is a browser extension that hijacks the browser and changes the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. It can also increase the amount of commercial content, and display pop-ups, banners, and cause redirects. For users, it is promoted as a useful plugin:
plus darker provides dark mode for simple web pages
In reality, it does not provide any additional functions that are not available in a default browser. This app was created solely to monetize users' activity. this can be done by generating revenue from clicks on ads and collecting data about users' browsing habits.
People should remove the intruder immediately because it can lead to dangerous pages that use social engineering techniques to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),[1] and malware. Some hijackers have been known to redirect people to adult and gambling sites so you should follow our removal guide, especially if there are children using the affected machine.
| NAME | Plus Darker |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | The main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine get changed |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | The extension can lead to misinformation and dangerous pages that may trick people into providing personal information or downloading PUPs and malware |
| ELIMINATION | Remove the plugin via browser settings |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to clear your browsers and optimize the machine |
Distribution tactics
Browser hijackers are spread in various ways. This particular one, Plus Darker, was found on the chrome web store. Although it is rare, browser hijackers sometimes slip through the extensive review process. People should always do their research before downloading anything.
Look at the reviews, ratings, and the number of users. We previously wrote about hijackers by the names of Page Darker, Point Dark, and One Dark. They all have similar logos, names and claim to provide the same function. You should choose those add-ons that have plenty of feedback about them.
Of course, some people also install such add-ons from shady websites. They use deceptive messages to convince users to click the “Download” button. You may come across messages like “Recommended by Chrome” or claims that the extension was created in collaboration with a big tech company like Google. These are the steps that crooks take in order to appear legitimate and trustworthy.
You should also be wary of freeware[2] distribution platforms. Often, they include additional programs[3] in the installers that monetize user activity, like browser hijackers, and do not disclose it clearly. Such programs are sometimes also called adware. To prevent this from happening, we recommend not using these platforms, together with torrent, and peer-to-peer file-sharing websites.
You can also take certain steps to minimize the risk of PUAs entering your system during the installation process. Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to find out more about how the program will use your data. The most important part is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated files to prevent them from installing.
Get rid of browser intruders
Generally, browser extensions are created to provide users some benefits, like masking the geolocation, blocking ads, and suspicious links, or automatically finding discount coupons while shopping online. People add them to make their browsers more functional and smart. However, you need to know how to remove them if something goes wrong.
Before adding a plugin, you can also see that the application will be able to read your browsing history. Crooks can collect data like your IP address, geolocation, websites you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. You can always stop the tracking and delete the existing data collected by cookies with a repair tool like FortectIntego.
You can remove browser add-ons by going to your settings. Find the list of extensions installed in your browser and remove Plus Darker. We show you how to do that in the guide below:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Scan the system for PUPs
If the previous removal method did not get rid of the hijacker, that means that you might have a PUA installed in your system. In this case, if you try to change the homepage or other settings to the way they were before, or remove the add-on, the PUP will just keep messing up with the settings until it is eliminated from the machine.
The program that is causing settings changes could have any name or icon because fraudsters often disguise them as handy tools that you would not even suspect. Manual removal may also fail because less IT-savvy users cannot locate all the related files. This can sometimes result in the renewal of the infection.
So if you are not sure what to do and you do not want to risk deleting the wrong files, we suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate intruders, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. HowToGeek. Technology Magazine.
- ^ Tim Fisher. What Is Freeware?. Lifewire. Internet, Networking and Security.
- ^ Liam Tung. Google: Unwanted bundled software is way more aggressive than malware. ZDNet. Security Blog.