Swagbucks Toolbar – a potentially unwanted program that redirects your browser to sponsored pages

Swagbucks is a potentially unwanted program[1] that can get installed on your PC system without your approval, after clicking on a wrong ad on Facebook. The most affected operating system is Mac OS X, but this PUP can also appear on Windows OS. Right after being installed, the virus drops its toolbar and changes your home page, the default search engine and a new tab page on all web browsers to make you search the web with the help of its search engine. Besides, if using Mac, the Swagbucks button can appear in your preferences bar. If you are wondering if this service is legitimate, we should warn you that security experts recommend using it with carefulness.
| Name | Swagbucks |
|---|---|
| Developer | Prodege LLC |
| Type | Potentially unwanted program (PUP) |
| Related apps | SwagButton, Search.swagbucks.com (currently unavailable) |
| Main problems | Can infiltrate the system behind user's back, change its settings, cause redirects, pop-up ads |
| Dangers related to PUP | A possibility of being redirected to infected websites, infiltration of malware, system changes that cannot be fixed by using traditional techniques |
| Elimination | To delete Swagbucks, run a full system scan with FortectIntego or another reliable anti-spyware |
The app is promoted as a great service that helps users generating points (Swag Bucks) with the help of these ways:
- Special offers;
- Surveys;
- Shop;
- Trade-in program;
- Polls;
- Invite friends.
However, we should warn you that entering personal information to surveys or polls can be dangerous as you can never know what parties are capable of using it for their own needs. Besides, as we have already warned you, the app can infiltrate your computer without your approval, after clicking on a simple ad without thinking. As a result, users have started using the term “Swagbucks virus.”
In fact, we should warn you that, apart from changing browser’s settings, this potentially unwanted program might cause other undesired problems, such as:
- delivery of aggressive or potentially dangerous ads;[2]
- redirecting to questionable or high-risk websites;[3]
- preventing users from removal;
- installation of other third-party apps, add-ons or extensions;
- tracking information about users.
Please, don't leave this PUP on your machine if you haven't installed it consciously! Otherwise, it can start tracking your browsing habits, redirecting your search sessions to unwanted sites and causing other unfair activities. We highly recommend users who found any of as soon as it steps on your browser. To remove Swagbucks quickly and without problems using professional anti-malware, such as FortectIntego.

Mac OS X – the most affected operating system
The majority of PUPs target Windows users. However, this ad-supported application seems to cause numerous problems for Mac users[4] as well. Lots of users report about problems to remove Swagbucks Mac version. Indeed, this app might be hard to uninstall manually. However, it’s still possible.
At the end of the article, we have provided instructions on how to get rid of Swagbucks on Mac. We want to stress out that it’s important to check installed apps and make sure that any unknown programs are not left on the system. Thus, if you do not remember installing some video player or another app, you should move it to trash immediately.
The instructions will also show you how to remove Swagbucks from Safari. According to the researchers from Los Virus,[5] this PUP mostly causes for Safari users compared to other attacked Mac browsers.
However, if uninstall Swagbucks toolbar Safari fails, you should opt for the automatic elimination method. It requires obtaining reputable security software and scanning the system with anti-malware.

Insights on methods used to spread Swagbucks
As we have mentioned, the toolbar can easily come on your computer without any permission asked. For that, this program typically relies on freeware and shareware. However, you can also discover it installed on the system after clicking on the simple ad on Facebook.[6]
To prevent its infiltration, you should stay away from unknown links. Besides, carefully check every installation window of the software and get rid of unfamiliar entries:
- Choose Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Standard;
- Do not leave any pre-selected “optional downloads”;
- Unmark all pre-marked agreements to change your search provider.
Besides, this program is also actively promoted on the websites that are included in its distribution, so it can be tricked into installing it manually as well. However, no matter which way it uses to get inside the PC, the PUP initiates system's changes without any permission asked.

Instructions on how to get rid of Swagbucks on Chrome, Firefox, and other web browsers
You have to remove Swagbucks after discovering it on your computer without your approval. For that, we recommend following the steps below that will help you to fix your browsers.
The instructions will also provide information on how to delete Swagbucks toolbar Safari. However, it is reported that manual adware’s elimination might be complicated. Indeed, the PUP might make several system changes or install additional components that protect it. Thus, if you cannot get rid of the virus manually, you should try scanning the system with anti-malware tool.
Additionally, you can perform automatic Swagbucks removal with an anti-spyware/anti-malware program at first. However, you should not forget that you need to reset all the browsers that are installed on your computer as well.
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.
Reset Internet Explorer
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 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.

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.

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