Ssoption ads: what it is and how to remove it

Ssoption is adware that delivers pop-ups and modifies your browser to display advertisements while tracking your activity. Published in 2021, it distributes through software bundling and questionable websites.

Facts checked October 5, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Screenshot of Ssoption: adware
Ssoption as our 2021 report showed it.

Ssoption ads: summary

DistributionBundled software, questionable sites, links
NameSsoption
CategoryAdware
Sub-categoryPotentially unwanted program
Browsers affectedChrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.
OS affectedUsually, Windows is the biggest target of developers, but in some cases, Mac OS might also get affected by adware programs
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 10 more facts
SymptomsBrowser changes (e.g. homepage), dubious redirects, an increased amount of adverts
AvoidingUse Custom mode only, avoid unknown content while browsing
DeletionInstall anti-malware tool to find and delete any suspicious components
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
DamageNot recorded in the old report
TypeAdware extension
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
ProgramSsoption
First seen2 January 2021
Facts checked5 October 2026

Is Ssoption ads dangerous?

From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since

Freeware installations lead to issues with the machine when software gets pre-bundled

According to researches that were made by tech experts , adware-related programs and other potentially unwanted applications are very likely to use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" as their main distribution technique. PUPs usually come together in a package with regular software that the user downloads from a free source on the Internet.

If you are wondering how to avoid this secret installation, we have great news for you - it is truly possible! For this purpose, make sure that you use the Custom or Advanced installation mode over the Quick/Default mode. This will allow you to track all incoming downloads and choose which ones to leave and which ones to opt-out of.

Note that adware can also spread through rogue websites. You increase the risk of getting infected by these programs if you like to browse via all different types of pages and do not care if they are original or not. What you should do is avoid surfing via third-party promoted websites as they might carry potentially dangerous content inside.

From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Ssoption

  • You should rely on a tool like that can possibly fix issues with the system performance

How Ssoption ads got into your browser

From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since

Ssoption is an ad-supported program that might enter your computer system by using the stealth technique.

This is the main reason why this application is considered to be potentially unwanted. Moreover, the adware can bring lots of unwanted components such as unknown browser extensions and hide them in your web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and others.

Nevertheless, the Ssoption virus can redirect the user to questionable websites some of which might be potentially harmful, as well as include virus-related content. This ad-supported application modifies the infected browser to be able to display annoying ads. You can reverse all changes that were done to the browser's settings such as the homepage and URL bar by deleting the PUP permanently.

Many users ask "is Ssoption a virus"? While the answer to it is "no," there are several things that users should know before allowing the application to settle on their systems. Adware is not malicious on its own.

However, it modifies the settings of browsers so that connections to third-party domains become a frequent occurrence. Unfortunately, not all of these sites are safe, so the infiltration MIGHT result in far more dangerous infections, such as ransomware or a rootkit.

Ssoption 2.0.9.0 is promoted as a software updater, featuring other allegedly useful functions. It is created by SoftwareX Corp, and not much is known about it. It poses typical traits of potentially unwanted programs, as they often disguise themselves as useful applications, but bring nothing but frustration to the users in one way or another.

If you have been recently facing an increasing amount of pop-ups, banners, and others, there is a big chance that adware has infected your PC. Go and check your web browsers for suspicious activity. Or even better - perform a full system scan. If the antivirus detects the adware, you should remove the virus as there is no reason for keeping it.

The operation of Ssoption adware can compromise the proper functioning of Google Chrome or another browser, and make it run slow. Therefore, it is another reason to perform the proper PUP removal. Additionally, we suggest using tools such as , to detect all PUP-related content that might be hiding in the computer system.

Adware is also known for data collection practices. It can collect various details that relate to the user's browsing habits. That means developers are well aware of what movies you like, or what you ordered for dinner last night. While it might seem insignificant initially, be aware that somebody out there is creating a map of your daily activities, and these people can not be trusted.

Screenshot of Ssoption: adware
Ssoption in our 2021 report.
Screenshot of Ssoption: pup
Ssoption in our 2021 report.

How to remove Ssoption ads

How to remove the Ssoption extension

Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.

  1. Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add

    In Chrome open chrome://extensions, in Edge edge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.

    Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.

    If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  2. Step 2: Uninstall Ssoption

    Ssoption is removed like any other program, from the list of installed apps. In Windows 11 that is Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and in both you can also use Control Panel > Programs and Features.

    Select Ssoption, click Uninstall and follow the uninstaller to the end. Then look at the entries just above and below it when the list is sorted by date: bundled programs install at the same minute.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  3. Step 3: Reset the browser

    A reset removes what the steps above could miss:

    • changed start pages
    • site permissions
    • hidden settings

    In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.

    Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.

    Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  4. Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    A scan finds the parts of Ssoption that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.

    Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.

    It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

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
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
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
Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.

More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.

From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since

Get rid of the annoying Ssoption PUP to stop reroutes and ads

You can easily remove Ssoption virus by downloading and installing a reputable anti-malware tool.

These programs are created to help users get rid of all different types of unwanted programs and other issues. Great news, if you choose to perform the process this way, it will last only about a couple of minutes, which you cannot say about the manual method.

However, feel free to pick any technique that you want. You are welcome to take care of the Ssoption removal by yourself if you are likely to. You will need to eliminate all browser extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons from infected web browsers. Make sure you complete each step carefully to ensure that all content was eliminated successfully.

Questions about Ssoption ads

What is Ssoption adware?

Ssoption is an ad-supported program, version 2.0.9.0, created by SoftwareX Corp that delivers annoying pop-ups and intrusive advertisements. The adware enters your computer using stealth techniques, making it classified as potentially unwanted.

It can bring numerous unwanted components including hidden browser extensions in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other browsers. Ssoption hijacks your browser to redirect you to questionable websites, some potentially harmful with virus-related content. The program modifies browser settings specifically to display the maximum amount of advertisements.

Is Ssoption a virus?

No, Ssoption is not a virus, but it functions maliciously. While adware is not malicious on its own, Ssoption causes problems by modifying browser settings. It increases connections to third-party domains, and not all these sites are safe.

Infiltration with Ssoption might result in far more dangerous infections including ransomware or rootkits. Adware like this often acts more like malware by preventing termination and collecting personal data. Despite not being technically a virus, Ssoption poses real risks to your system.

How does Ssoption get installed on my computer?

Ssoption mainly distributes through software bundling where it gets packed with freeware downloads. The adware also spreads through questionable websites and suspicious links. When downloading free applications, it often comes pre-bundled as an optional component.

Many users miss it because they skip Advanced installation steps and proceed with Default settings. PUPs usually come together in packages with regular software from free internet sources. By choosing Custom or Advanced installation mode, you can track incoming downloads and avoid Ssoption.

What does Ssoption collect from my computer?

Ssoption engages in extensive data collection practices. It collects information about your browsing habits including what movies you like and what you purchase. This data helps developers create a detailed map of your daily activities.

The program tracks which websites you visit, what you search for, and your interactions with ads. This information is harvested by developers who cannot be trusted with your personal details. Your ISP, device information, and browsing history all get monitored.

Why is my browser slowing down after Ssoption infection?

Your browser slows because Ssoption runs constantly in the background consuming system resources. The adware continuously displays pop-ups, banners, and advertisements that bog down your browser. The constant ads slow page loading and response times.

Running PUPs like Ssoption compromises the proper functioning of your browser making it run noticeably slower. Browser performance degradation is another strong reason to perform proper PUP removal immediately. System maintenance tools can help restore speed after removal.

Can I remove Ssoption manually?

Removing Ssoption manually requires eliminating browser extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons from all infected web browsers carefully. You must identify which extensions are malicious and remove them individually.

This is time-consuming and error-prone. Many users miss components and Ssoption persists. Automatic removal using professional anti-malware software is far more effective.

These tools scan your entire system, identify all Ssoption components, and remove them completely in minutes. Manual removal typically takes longer and often fails.

How do I remove Ssoption completely?

Download and install reputable anti-malware software to scan and eliminate Ssoption. These programs can quickly remove all unwanted programs and related issues. Run a full system scan, not just a quick scan.

The automatic process typically takes only a couple of minutes compared to lengthy manual procedures. After removal, use system maintenance tools to clean leftover files and optimize performance. Additional anti-spyware tools can find any remaining Ssoption-related content hiding in your system.

How do I prevent Ssoption from returning?

Use Custom or Advanced installation mode for all freeware downloads instead of Quick or Default mode. This lets you track incoming downloads and deselect unwanted programs.

Avoid browsing via third-party promoted websites as they carry potentially dangerous content. Stay away from rogue websites and download only from official sources.

Install reputable anti-malware software and keep it updated. Be cautious when clicking links and avoid suspicious websites. Read installation fine print carefully for hidden requirements.

Will Fortect remove Ssoption?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Ssoption, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Rootkit (read October 5, 2026)
  2. ZonderVirus, Cybersecurity news site: ZonderVirus.nl (read October 5, 2026)
  3. Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 5, 2026)
  4. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 5, 2026)
  5. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 5, 2026)

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