System Security Tool. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
System Security Tool virus: everything you need to know about this computer threat
Adware creators today are getting even more twisted and gather ever-increasing amounts of revenue with the help of programs like System Security Tool virus. This particular adware is capable of generating legitimate-looking ads which claim that the computer’s system is in critical condition, and encourage users to contact the remote tech support in order to solve this problem. In reality, there is no actual threat on your computer. Furthermore, if you call the number provided in the fake security notification, you will not be connected to the technician but merely to a salesperson waiting to sell you unnecessary security contract or offer other services. The scare tactics that these security support scammers use often work and the victims purchase the supposed security support contracts. However, we have to warn you not to try contacting the given number, not to mention buying the suggested products, because you may simply be scammed. The first thing you should do, if you notice such ads occurring on your computer is to scan your system with a reliable antivirus tool, such as Reimage. It will detect and remove System Security Tool and any other suspicious components from your PC.
Questions about System Security Tool
There are also other ways of distinguishing fake ads from the legitimate system notifications if you suspect you have been a victim of System Security Tool hijack. First, you can try closing your browser and see if the notifications still appear on your screen. Even better, you can disconnect your device from the network and monitor your computer’s activity. If the notifications stop appearing you can be sure that they were simply System Security Tool ads, and you should not worry about the safety of your computer too much. However, as mentioned before, you should make sure that the system is virus-free by scanning your computer with some reputable virus-fighting utility. Finally, you should specifically examine to the content of the notifications. It varies minimally throughout the different ads; therefore, it is easily recognizable. Take a look at the following example:
Firewall Detected Potential Threads on Your Computer
Warning. Windows Security Essentials wasn’t able to block the threats. Windows detected several threats that will compromise your privacy and harm your computer.
Error Code: 0x000007c, Windows couldn’t install the definition updates.
More Information & Support Please contact 1-800-754-3403
If you notice ads featuring similar content occurring on you computer you most likely have an adware residing your PC. It is essential to take care of the System Security Tool removal if you want to keep using your computer safely and uninterruptedly.
How can this adware infiltrate my PC?
Even though some features of this program slightly differ from other programs of this particular category, the ways through which it is distributed are virtually the same. System Security Tool adware is distributed through a deceptive marketing method, also referred to as “bundling”. “Bundling” occurs when two programs are added to the same software package, and the user downloads them both in one go. You can imagine how useful such feature can be to the creators of the potentially unwanted programs. Their malicious creations can enter the users’ computers unnoticed and silently carry out the questionable activities. But this stealthy hijack can as well be avoided if you spare some more time to the new software installation process. Firstly, choose your source of downloading programs wisely. Secondly, before heading straight to the installation process, let you antivirus scan the downloaded application to determine its reliability. Finally, always opt for the advanced installation settings to monitor and manage all the optional installs.
Recommendations for the System Security Tool virus removal:
Essentially, there are two ways to remove System Security Tool from the computer: automatic and manual removal. At the end of this article you can find the manual virus removal guide; however, this removal option is recommended only for the users who have higher than average computer knowledge. Removing virus manually not only about following instructions but also requires technical skill, because different virus components may be scattered around and hidden deep in the computer’s system. For a quicker and more precise virus elimination, the security experts suggest the automatic System Security Tool removal approach. You can simply rely on the professional antivirus tools to help you get rid of the virus. Just do not forget to keep the virus database updates to ensure the best protection.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove System Security Tool, follow these steps:
Delete System Security Tool from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
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Uninstall System Security Tool and related programs
Here, look for System Security Tool or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Get rid of System Security Tool from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for System Security Tool or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate System Security Tool from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for System Security Tool and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete System Security Tool removal.
Erase System Security Tool from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, System Security Tool should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall System Security Tool from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select System Security Tool and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete System Security Tool removal.
Remove System Security Tool from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select System Security Tool and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete System Security Tool removal.
Delete System Security Tool from Safari
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for System Security Tool or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete System Security Tool removal process.