Remove SurfMate ads (Free Instructions) - Removal Guide
How practical are SurfMate notifications?
If you are searching for a way to boost up your shopping rate, SurfMate virus is surely not the app to be trusted. It is none other than adware-type program which is oriented to Mac OS users. In other words, this PUP is likely to hijack the latter sooner than Windows OS users. Nonetheless, it does not mean that you should let your guard down. When this adware settles on the computer, your browser‘s performance greatly deteriorates. First of all, it is likely to append its sponsored extensions. They are promoted as tools to enhance your browsing and shopping experience. Though there are extensions which supposedly save your money [1], we do not recommend using them. It is often the case, that similar programs and extensions collect quite much personal information in order to deliver most relevant offers. Therefore, not all of them ensure the high-class protection of such important data. On the other hand, the disclosure of Web of Trust user data selling case reminds to remain critical while browsing [2]. Proceed to SurfMate removal and get acquainted with the prevention tips.
Questions about SurfMate ads
After taking a look at the front page of this application, it becomes evident that the application is mainly targeting female population as it provides an ability to find discount codes and suitable offers faster. It claims to deliver only targeted SurfMate ads and ensures that users will not go to any trouble during the installation. This adware application has an identical design to several other applications, such as ShoppyTool, etc. However, the number of identical applications with slightly altered title suggests that the owner attempts to fill the market with their applications. In fact, these programs might fall to meet users’ expectations. They are more inclined on collecting users’ data rather than providing relevant information. Popping ads in the middle of a video or other attention-attracting activity [3] is surely a disturbing phenomenon. However, their annoying behavior is nothing compared to where they can misguide to. Due to SurfMate redirect, you might find yourself in the domains crammed with questionable content. It might harbor quite bothersome malware. In order to reduce the risk of endangering your computer to external threats, you should remove SurfMate. ReimageIntego comes in handy.
How does the adware spread?
You may have installed the application deliberately via its official website. Alternatively, the PUP might have slithered into the device via “bundling” technique. Specifically, it travels as an additional application to popular freeware. Users rarely glance to the installation wizard and, consequently, they fail to notice add-ons. Likewise, SurfMate hijack occurs. If you intend to prevent such infiltration, opt for “Custom” settings. Unmark unwanted applications and only then proceed with the installation wizard. Taking into account the rise of various viruses and online scams [4], IT experts and online activists have been making up techniques to ensure better online security and users’ privacy [5]. However, efforts and cautiousness of each individual play a significant role.
SurfMate eradication steps
If you are looking for a quick SurfMate removal solution, we recommend installing an anti-spyware application. Update it and run the scan. For your surprise, you will find it useful when confronting more elaborate virtual threats. If you are used to dealing with computer infections manually, remove SurfMate virus using the below-indicated instructions. Taking a look at privacy policy and users’ reviews is a useful habit which helps you avoid troublesome computer pests.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove SurfMate ads, follow these steps:
Erase SurfMate from Windows systems
To remove SurfMate ads from Windows 10/8 machines, please follow these steps:
- 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 entries related to SurfMate ads (or any other recently installed 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.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- 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.
Eliminate SurfMate from Mac OS X system
Remove SurfMate ads from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for SurfMate ads-related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove SurfMate ads, 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 related to SurfMate ads and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the SurfMate ads-related entries.
Delete SurfMate from Internet Explorer (IE)
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for SurfMate ads and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete…
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete SurfMate ads removal.
Get rid of SurfMate ads from Microsoft Edge
Follow the steps to fully eradicate Surf Mate adware. After that, reset the settings so that all additional scripts and files are terminated.
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 SurfMate ads-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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 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.
Remove SurfMate 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 plugins that are related to SurfMate ads and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
In case SurfMate ads did not get removed after following the instructions above, 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 – this should complete SurfMate ads removal.
Uninstall SurfMate 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to SurfMate ads 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 like SurfMate ads 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 SurfMate ads-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 to complete SurfMate ads removal.
Erase SurfMate from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension related to SurfMate ads and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of SurfMate registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
- ^ 5 browser extensions to save you money and time. StarTribune. News, weather, sports from Mineapolis, St. paul and Minnesota.
- ^ Ian Paul . Web of Trust browser extensions yanked after proving untrustworthy. PC World. News, tips, and reviews from the experts on PCs, Windows, and more.
- ^ Peter Kafka . Facebook is going to start showing ads in the middle of its videos and sharing the money with publishers. Recode. Continuous monitoring of Vox Media systems and properties, including SB Nation, The Verge, Polygon, Vox, Eater, Racked, Curbed, and Recode.
- ^ Robbie Harris . Internet Scams, Hacks and Malware: A Cat . Wvik. Covering news, music, arts, and culture for the Quad Cities.
- ^ Nina Zipkin. Biz Stone Wants to Make the Internet a More Trustworthy Place. Entrepreneur. Start, run and grow your business.
Your opinion regarding SurfMate ads
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January 13th, 2017 at 8:57 am
Ads on the TV have also been a pain in the neck, but on the web, they even might be corrupted..can it get worse?
January 13th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Removed it in a flash!
January 13th, 2017 at 9:00 am
Long time ago, I accidentally installed the app with the same cover but only different name. The developers didnt advance much, did they?