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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows
  • Verified · Jul 2020

How to remove PUP.Optional.Trovi

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

PUP.Optional.Trovi is a general detection name showing a search virus running in the system 

PUP.Optional.Trovi 

PUP.Optional.Trovi is the heuristic name that indicates a browser hijacker hailing from the Trovi family on the system. Mostly, the term is used by Malwarebytes anti-malware, so, if infected, other security programs will warn you by using a different term. Once this AV tool detects this search virus, it quarantines the PUP and offers to remove it. However, sometimes Malwarebytes keeps showing this result and it seems that there is no way to get rid of PUP.Optional.Trovi. The initial symptoms of the infection include in-browser redirects to the trovi.com and similar domain which are unfamiliar. Additionally, you can notice numerous ads appearing on your favorite sites. If these symptoms seem familiar, remove all the traces of this PUP.

Name PUP.Optional.Trovi
Type Browser hijacker[1]
Associated with Trovi; sometimes Conduit
Distribution Freeware installations, other PUPs, deceptive advertisements, questionable sites
Possible danger Can access various data and record that information for the later use in advertising campaigns, install other potentially unwanted applications, in-browser content
Main symptoms Shows commercial content, redirects to suspicious pages, appears as a detection name on AV tool scans and alerts
Elimination Install a proper anti-malware tool that can clean the machine and remove PUP.Optional.Trovi entirely 

PUP.Optional.Trovi is the potentially unwanted program that can run on the machine before it shows any symptoms and causes particular issues. This is because browser hijacker first changes startup programs, preferences and even alters web browser settings to ensure that the particular domain is set as homepage, default search engine, new tab, and is automatically loaded on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and other popular web browsers.

Typical symptoms of such intruder like PUP.Optional.Trovi virus includes questionable content delivery and online traffic redirects because PUP developers, in most cases, create these intruders with the purpose of generating revenue for advertisers. Various commercial content creators rely on such intrusive programs that generate views and visits on particular sites.

PUP.Optional.Trovi redirects and additional issues related to your in-browser searches are the most frustrating and annoying for the victim because, once the browser hijacker gets on the system, online browsing becomes unpleasant and useless.

When trovi.com is set as the default search engine, all the attempts to search something on the internet end in results filled with commercial content like:

  • banners;
  • pop-ups;
  • in-text links;
  • hyperlinks;
  • deceptive pages.

PUP.Optional.Trovi virus

Unfortunately, all these commercial content-based symptoms of Pup.optional.trovi are not that harmful when compared to the data tracking issue. All those banners, pop-up advertisements, and redirects are there on the screen to redirect you to shady pages. However, each click on the marketing material also allows the PUP and even third-party advertisers to access information about you.

From the minute PUP.Optional.Trovi gets on the system it starts to track and even record details about your device, location, software, and hardware you use. Also, details like most viewed pages, search queries, IP addresses get collected because all this information is useful in later advertising campaigns.

Researchers[2] note that all the data accessed by the PUP.Optional.Trovi is used for more personalized content creation because these advertisers sho sponsor the distribution of PUPs to target you as the client and customer. The more personalized advertisements ensure that you may click on the pop-up or even purchase the product pushed on the ad.

PUP.Optional.Trovi creators can obtain this non-identifiable data and share it with other companies, third-party advertisers, but your data may also end up in the hands of malicious actors who develop scams and other shady campaigns. You should be aware of such possibilities and make sure to protect your privacy.

The best solution for that is PUP.Optional.Trovi removal and system cleaning. React to this cyber infection as soon as you notice any activities on the browser or get alerted by your antivirus tool that something shady is happening on the computer. You can rely on the tool that delivered you this notice or get alternate tool.

We want to note that you need to remove PUP.Optional.Trovi and other browser extensions, toolbars or add-ons completely to end all the intrusive symptoms once and for all. For that, you can find a few tips below the article where we show how to reset the browser to default. Also, make sure to scan the system with FortectIntego and remove all the possible virus damage.

PUP.Optional.Trovi hijacker

Bundled freeware and shareware services spread potentially unwanted programs around

Various potentially unwanted programs get packed with freeware and delivered in bundles during insecure installations. Those happen when you use p2p services[3], torrents, and other questionable sources for your programs. Also, software bundles get delivered during processes when the user opts for recommended or quick installations instead of Advanced or Custom. Choosing Advanced installations can be especially crucial because during such a process you can unpack the bundled and see all the applications included in this setup.

Remember that visiting questionable sites and clicking on pop-up advertisements, banners, or different commercial content can also lead to shady installations of potentially unwanted programs or rogue tools. You should always pay close attention to the content you visit and click on and all the processes. Installing or even purchasing programs from advertisements is never a good idea, so rely on trustworthy sources and official software developers or providers.

Eliminate the particular PUP.Optional.Trovi virus to end the unwanted detection messages

PUP.Optional.Trovi removal involves either the antivirus tool that indicated this program for you in the first place or a professional anti-malware application that can clean the system thoroughly and terminate the potentially unwanted program that causes all the issues with your machine. Although this is not a virus, browser hijackers and other PUPs alter the web browser settings and appearance or even installs other extensions, applications, and tools without your permission.

To completely remove PUP.Optional.Trovi and end those symptoms, intrusive behavior, you need to delete these associated programs or files. Since this program focuses on altering the browser settings, it even changes particular settings of your web browser, so follow the guide below to reset them to default and change the preferences back to normal.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

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

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

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

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

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