Malware Removal Instructions

Cerber ransomware is a type of virus that encrypts user's files and demands a victim to pay a ransom to get his or her files back. The name and extension of the encrypted files are renamed and vary depending on Cerber's version. It may be “.cerber”, “.cerber2,” or  any random generated letters and numbers. After a victim pays a ransom, he or she is able to decrypt files with a provided decryption software (Cerber Decryptor). To proof that they are not bluffing, criminals allow a victim to upload one desired file and then download it decrypted. The price asked for a decryption software varies but usually it is from $500 to $2000.

A computer desktop wallpaper, replaced by a variant of Cerber ransomware

In this article we will not discuss how to acquire a decryptor from criminals. We assume that you have already read all the information that Cerber ransomware virus has left on your PC and have come here to learn about alternative methods for restoring your files.
We are not to be held responsible for any file loss (or failed recovery process) when using information on this site. Note that any activity on the infected computer (including the removal of a malware) may reduce the probability to successfully restore files.
In the end, make a decision depending on what you have learnt and the importance of the encrypted files.

Cerber Decryptor

Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor

To decrypt .cerber extension files try a Ransomware File Decryptor from Trend Micro. Trend Micro is an IT security company focusing on the development of security solutions. As there are many variants of this virus, download the latest version of this tool to check if it can recover your files. Currently, only the first variant of Cerber ransomware (extension “.cerber”) can be decrypted with this tool.
When launched, File Decryptor Tool needs to find the first file that has been encrypted. That is why it must run on the infected computer itself. You will find a download link bellow following the section 'Cerber ransomware decryption methods'.

Cerber Ransomware Removal

To remove Cerber from your PC, you have to kill all malware processes and delete the corresponding files. Also you must delete registry entries that are linked to those processes. If any infected files are left on the system, the ransomware can reinstall itself the next time the PC boots up. Usually executable files of viruses have random file names and multiple registry entries. This makes a manual removal process very difficult and time-consuming. We advise you to use an automated virus removal tool that will not just remove the infection, but will also protect your computer from future cyber threats. Malware Security Suite is one of the best available malware removers that detects Cerber. You can scan your computer before purchasing the software to make sure that it finds malware on your PC.

Download Anti-Malware
for Cerber Ransomware detection
Disclaimer: Automatic removal software is recommended for scanning and cleaning your computer from all types of malware (including ransomware). Anti-malware may remove all entries related to Cerber ransomware. Scan with the malware remover after you have finished restoring your files.

Cerber ransomware decryption methods:

1. Restore files from backup.
2. Restore encrypted files from Shadow Copies.
3. Restore your files (with System Restore).
4. Decrypt with Ranomware Decryptor.

1. Restore files from backup

If you have backups, this is the easiest and quickest way to restore your files. Use this method if you cannot recover newer versions of files from shadow copies (see method 2).

2. Use shadow copies to restore files to previous versions

If automated backups (Volume Shadow copy) are configured, you can use them to restore Cerber encrypted files to previous versions. Depending on the operating system, there are slightly different methods for using this.
In Windows 7 you can find shadow copies quite easily. Just right-click on the folder and select 'Properties'. Then click 'Previous Versions' tab. Select a desired version, click 'Restore' and you are done.
If your are a Windows 8 user, we recommend you to use a free utility that helps access shadow copies (ShadowExplorer http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html), as Microsoft has partly removed this feature (has made it less accessible).
In Windows 10, although 'Previous Versions' tab is restored back, it depends on the File History feature.

3. Restore the system (and its files) to a previous clean state

You can restore a whole system to a previuos clean state (the date before the infection). Read these articles from Microsoft for detailed instructions:

• Windows 7 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17127/windows-back-up-restore)
• Windows 8 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17085/windows-8-restore-refresh-reset-pc)
• Windows 10 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options)

4. Decrypt files with Cerber Decryptor

If your computer is infected with the first Cerber version (file's extension is “.cerber”)  you have  good chances to restore your files.

Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor

1. Download the latest Decryptor (http://solutionfile.trendmicro.com/SolutionFile/EN-1114221/RansomwareFileDecryptor%201.0.1657%20MUI.zip); file uploaded on January 22, 2016 at 01:00 GMT; MD5: e86d35a27e97cc5be846c2f474d5d805
2. Unzip and run RansomwareFileDecryptor.exe.
3. After accepting the License Agreement, you will be ready to use Anti-Ransomware tool.
4. Select the ransomware name: Cerber.
5. Select the encrypted file or folder.
6. Click 'OK' to start decrypting.

Note that a decryption process will take about 4 hours to complete. Do not turn off your computer while the tool is running. Keep in mind that a higher number of cores CPU has, the stronger is Cerber encryption. So your chances to restore files are weakened.


After you have finished restoring your files, remove the Cerber Ransomware with Malware removal suite. If you will not remove the virus, the next time you boot your computer, your documents can be encrypted again.

If you are one of the unfortunate many who has been infected by "Ads by Not set" adverts and you would like to learn how to get rid of them so you can browse in peace, you've come to the right place. If you would also like to learn a little more about this malware, then we suggest you continue to read because in this article we are going to take a closer look at how it got its name, what it means for you as a PC user, and how and why it has a rather unsettling habit of seemingly being able to read your mind.

How many more ways can cyber criminals get you to part with your money?

The internet is big business – that doesn't come as much of a surprise – but what you may not realize is that cyber crime is constantly evolving and the ways and means which cyber criminals are employing to unleash carnage on our computers and defraud us of our hard earned cash is in perpetual motion as the industry fights to stay one step ahead of the reactive security tools and anti-viruses that are doing their best to keep up with them.


It is certainly true that malware comes in many shapes and sizes, whether a programmer is corrupting your data for "fun" or installing something known as a keystroke logger on your device so it can copy the information you input into your keyboard, and whether they are trying to hack your bank account or steal your identity, or simply employing underhand tactics to drive traffic and leads to their website, we are faced with no end of dangers and annoyances. All of which can have a real negative effect on your computer's performance.

As mentioned, here we are going to take a look at malware that displays "Ads by Not set" ads on your computer. And although this is often not considered to be as lethal as other types of malware, its habit of installing a component and tracking your web use (and thereby being able to send you those 'mind reading' adverts that are tailored to your interests) means that many people take umbrage to its existence on their computer and just want to be able to remove it.

A brief guide to removing "Ads by Not set" with a removal program:

1. Download a reputable malware removal program (download link below).
2. Back up your files to an external hard drive. (Important!)
3. Restart it while holding the F8 key down during boot up. (Safe Mode.)
4. Run the malware removal program.
5. When the scan is complete it will tell you the name of the malware.
6. Delete the file!
7. Reboot your PC.
8. Run the malware removal program again to be sure you are 100% malware-free.

Hopefully now you should no longer be plagued by those pesky adverts.

Still getting annoying "Ads by Not set" ads?

Please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

"Ads by Not set" Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove "Ads by Not set" related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Capricornus
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove "Ads by Not set" related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Capricornus, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove "Ads by Not set" related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Capricornus, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove "Ads by Not set" related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

Like most of us, chances are you are getting more than fed up of having to constantly be on the lookout for, and defend yourself against, the numerous hacking and phishing attacks, malware, computer viruses, browser hijackers and other cyber criminal activity that is now so commonplace that we are virtually immune to it.

The trouble is, the more high profile attacks and security breaches there are in the news, the more we think that, as a small company or an individual computer user, we are safe from being targeted. But that is simply not true – after all, if you were a malware programmer or cyber criminal, who'd you go after: the big enterprise with a robust security posture – or an end user who is likely not to have updated their anti-software program since they bought their laptop? With that in mind it makes perfect sense to take steps to protect your PC from an attack.

Top Arama browser hijacker

Of course, not all malware or other programs or threats are created equal and the damage they can inflict can have varying degrees of severity, but regardless, you should still take steps to protect yourself – and your computer – from attack by any type of undesirable program because if they do have one thing in common is that they can all cause issues - ranging from sluggishly running operating systems to complete and utter data corruption or loss.

You may well have heard browser hijackers - described as inhabiting the tamer end of the malware scale. Indeed there is an argument as to whether they are actually malware or not. And although it is true to say that such browser hijackers as Top Arama are not nearly as harmful as something such as a Trojan Horse, that is not to say that you should ignore them.

What does Top Arama do?

Think browser hijackers are not 'that bad'? Take a look at the following Top Arama's traits and see if you change your mind:

• Top Arama's main 'function' is to uninstall your existing search engine provider and homepage and replace it with one of their own design, in this case search.top-arama.com. That in itself is annoying enough when you are used to, and are perfectly happy with, your existing set-up, however...
• Browser hijackers change these things, not because their programmer truly believes that their new home page is any better than the one previously installed in your browser. It is because the home page has been designed to manipulate your internet searches so that traffic is driven a website of the Top Arama programmer's choice. And this will happen every time you try and search for something. Annoying, much?

How did the Top Arama infect your computer?

Browser hijackers usually come bundled with another programs when you're downloading them, which means that you need to be proactive and read software licensing agreements properly. For the most part, the Top Arama browser hijacker will be mentioned in the fine print, so take a moment and make sure you know exactly what you are downloading.

How do I remove it?

It can be a tedious task. It modifies browser settings and also makes modifications to Windows registry. Hopefully, the removal guide below will help you to remove this browser hijacker from your computer. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Top Arama Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this infection. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Top Arama related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following programs:

• Top Arama
• LiveLyrics
• GoSave
• ExtTag

If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Top Arama from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.



2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Top Arama, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube extensions.

3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

6. Right-click Google Chrome shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

7. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.top-arama.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Chrome executable file.



Remove Top Arama from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Remove Top Arama, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube browser extensions. Close Add-ons manger.

3. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.



Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.



In the search filter at the top, type: top-arama

Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by search.top-arama.com. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!

4. Right-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.top-arama.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Firefox executable file.



Remove Top Arama from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.



2. Select Search Providers. First of all, choose Live Search search engine and make it your default web search provider (Set as default).

3. Select top-arama.com and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.

4. Right-click the Internet Explorer shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.top-arama.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Internet Explorer executable file.

Outrageous Deal has the ability to either download or display adverts on to your computer whenever you are online and connected to the internet. These Outrageous Deal ads can look a little different to each other, but needless to say, they all fall under the umbrella of adware. Some of the ads (often thought of as the most annoying sort) are pop-up or pop-under windows that will attack you with willful abandon, while others are the common enough banner adverts. Others still may be links or boxes placed at strategic points on your computer or other device's screen.


The one thing that these different styles of Outrageous Deal adverts all do have in common however, is an uncanny ability to match your needs or interests, as discerned by the adware. This might seem like a coincidence at first, then it can seem downright spooky. You may well get to the point whereby after you have seen the 15th advert for bargain fitted kitchens, or fashionable sneakers – and, crucially - those are the very items you have recently been searching for online, you either might start freaking out and wondering just how on earth your computer knows what you are looking at online – or maybe you are thinking that there perhaps might just be a little more to adware than it first seems.

The reason why you have Outrageous Deal on your computer

For the most part it comes bundled with another program, application or software tool that you have downloaded. Whether or not the application or software is free or you are paying for it turns out to be pretty much irrelevant. Outrageous Deal is developed, in the majority of cases, to recoup the costs of developing another applications or software that is given away for free. In addition to this it is also used by a developer so that they can earn money through the adverts themselves.

So Outrageous Deal is not a mind reader?

No. You can throw any thoughts of coincidence or supernatural goings on out of the window for the fact is that Outrageous Deal is a cleverly designed piece of software that is able to track which websites you are looking at – whether that is fitted kitchens or the latest must have footwear. When you install the original program – and the adware alongside it – you are also installing a component onto your computer that will monitor which websites you visit, and collect that data. This information is relayed back to the developer who is then able to show you advertising based on your search and browsing habits.

How to get rid of Outrageous Deal ads?

To remove this adware from your computer and stop Outrageous Deal ads, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Outrageous Deal Ads Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Outrageous Deal related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Outrageous Deal
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Outrageous Deal related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Outrageous Deal, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Outrageous Deal related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Outrageous Deal, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Outrageous Deal related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

Yoursites123 is a browser hijacker that modifies your web browser and Windows registry. It's very similar to Mysearch123. Once installed, it will change your home page and default search engine provider to Yoursites123 (http://www.yoursites123.com/). It's not a real search engine, even though it may look like the real thing. It simply redirects your searches to globososo.inspsearch.com or similar websites that most likely pay for search traffic. Inspsearch.com is not a new kid on the block. I mentioned in my previous article about Delta-homes browser hijacker. Despite being blocked by most antivirus engines it still manages to operate successfully and generate revenue which is without a doubt the main reason why browser hijackers are creates in the first place. When it comes to browser hijackers, we are talking about something that can have an annoying – and sometimes dangerous – effect on your computer.


Browser hijackers are characterized by the fact that they come in the guise of something that appears to be innocent – and often useful. They magically manifest themselves as a tool bar, a home page, a browser or a search engine. In this case Yoursites123 is installed as a homepage or a startup page is you want. At this point you could be forgiven for thinking 'but what is so wrong with that?' After all, these are things that we depend on daily when we are using our computers or tablets.

The Yoursites123 problem

The issue with browser hijackers is that they install themselves on your desktop, laptop or tablet without expressly asking your permission. The silver lining to the cloud is that most browser hijackers are not especially dangerous – but nevertheless they take it up a notch on the annoyance scales and can leave you tearing your hair out in frustration as you battle with them. Just like their furry counterparts, these browser hijackers are extremely willful and will do exactly what they want.

That might not involve pooping on the rug, but they will replace your existing functions with their own versions. These will then redirect your internet searches to websites that the Yoursites123's programmer wants you to visit. They can also have a serious effect on your PC's security posture – due to this redirecting of your searches to unknown, and often dubious, websites.

How did I end up with the Yoursites123 on my PC?

In the majority of cases, Yoursites 123 will come neatly bundled with another program – and that could be anything from an upgrade to your trusted online VoIP app or a free game that a friend or acquaintance sent you in a link via an email or chat message. However, one thing to bear in mind is that it doesn't matter what you are downloading – browser hijackers aren't fussy and will hitch a ride with anything from a reputable PDF viewer to sparkly wallpaper or emoji downloads.

The good news is that YOU have a choice in whether you install a browser hijacker or not. This means that they are normally mentioned in the original download's End User License Agreement (EULA). A browser hijacker programmer will claim that their annoying, redirecting, mischievous browser hijacker is just as potentially wanted as it is unwanted – meaning they do not have anything to be surreptitious about.

How to avoid a browser hijacker

You've probably already come to the conclusion that if you don't want Yoursites123 on your computer, the best course of action you can take is to read the EULA properly!

How do I remove Yoursites123?

It can be a tedious task. It modifies browser settings and also makes modifications to Windows registry. Hopefully, the removal guide below will help you to remove this browser hijacker from your computer. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Yoursites123 Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this infection. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Yoursites123 related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following programs:

• Yoursites123
• LiveLyrics
• GoSave
• ExtTag

If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Yoursites123 from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.



2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Yoursites123, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube extensions.

3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

6. Right-click Google Chrome shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

7. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.yoursites123.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Chrome executable file.



Remove Yoursites123 from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Remove Yoursites123, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube browser extensions. Close Add-ons manger.

3. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.



Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.



In the search filter at the top, type: yoursites123

Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by yoursites123.com. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!

4. Right-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.yoursites123.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Firefox executable file.



Remove Yoursites123 from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.



2. Select Search Providers. First of all, choose Live Search search engine and make it your default web search provider (Set as default).

3. Select yoursites123.com and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.

4. Right-click the Internet Explorer shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.yoursites123.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Internet Explorer executable file.

If you keep getting the gamezonenews.net pop-up on your PC that you are pretty certain that you didn't install yourself and you are simply unsure as to how it got there then, don't worry, because you are not alone by any stretch of the imagination. This is something that is known as a browser hijacker and the chances are that you will very soon find yourself desperately trying to uninstall this rogue program not all that long after you discovered it.

The Windows registry modification looks something like this:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run then it should be "CMD" running cmd.exe /c start http://zenigameblinger.org & & exit.

If you have CCleaner, you can open it and find the modification under Tools > Startup HKLM:Run CMD cmd.exe /c start http://zenigameblinger.org && exit

You can simply select it and click Delete. That's probably the easiest way to remove it.


Browser hijackers can be really quite annoying – and not only because they have you in a quandary as you try and figure out exactly where they came from. In addition to this you were more than happy with your existing tool bar, home page or browser (the things that browser hijackers most commonly replace) so where did this new version come from – and why? More to the point, how do you prevent one from foisting itself upon you again at some point in the future?

What exactly is gamezonenews.net and how does it infect you?

Browser hijacker are quite cunning – just like their malware brothers and sisters in fact – and will make their way on to your PC through a couple of different means. Some of them come pre-installed with a new desktop or laptop while others – and this speaks for the majority of them - are bundled with another software program that you have downloaded. Browser hijacker that displays gamezonenews.net pop-ups when Windows starts usually comes bundled with freeware.

What to do if you have been infected

First of all, don't panic! Gamezonenews.net pop-up will not, generally speaking, do you any harm. Having said that though, you probably will want to get rid of it as quickly as you can because browser hijackers can be very annoying! All you need to do is to go to your desktop or laptop's Control Panel, click on Programs and choose the Uninstall or Change a Program option. Here you will be able to see the names of all of the software and programs that are installed on your computer – including anything rogue like the Potentially Unwanted Program. Take a good look at the list of programs and if you find something you don't recognize or recall downloading, you can choose to uninstall it here.

How to prevent a browser hijacker infection in the future

The problem is that browser hijackers can be packaged with pretty much anything – no matter how legitimate so that makes them hard to avoid. One thing you can do is to only download software from the publisher's website and be cautious about clicking online links and adverts in case they lead you to somewhere that has been compromised. To stop annoying pop-ups on your computer, you can use Autoruns for Windows or open up Windows registry editor, search for gamezonenews.net or zenigameblinger.org and delete all entries you find. You can also remove this pop-up window by removing the start-up entry in the Windows Task Scheduler. I recommend using Autoruns or CCleaner. Once the problem is fixed, scan your computer with anti-malware software. Why? Because very often this adware comes bundled with adware and even spyware. There might be malware on your computer that you didn't notice yet. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

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Gamezonenews.net Pop-up Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Download Autoruns for Windows and save it to your Desktop.

3. Launch autoruns.exe program (Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator).



4. In the top menu, click Options > Filter Options.



5. Uncheck Hide Microsft entries and click Rescan.



6. Open Longon tab. Find HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run in the list. Then right-click CMD and select Delete.



7. Close Autoruns and reboot your computer when done.

8. Scan your computer with anti-malware software.

I am going to assume, that as you are reading this article, you have already seen ads "brought by Offers4U" on your computer. And in fact, the chances of you having been infected by it are shockingly high. From the more innocuous adverts that sit at the side or along the top of our computer screens waiting for us to click on them and wield our purchase power, to the more virulent strain of this adware that makes using your computer virtually impossible thanks to its endless barrage of Offers4U pop up windows, no one is immune.

Keep reading if you'd like to learn a little more about the annoyance of Offers4U adware and find out what its characteristics are. I will also tell you how you can give yourself the best shot at staying free from this adware infection - there are some surprisingly simple, easy, free and painless ways to protect yourself and of course how to get rid of it!

First of all: what is Offers4U adware?

Offers4U is a type of computer program which is downloaded upon your computer and tracks your internet usage so that it can send you adverts, usually labeled "brought by Offers4U", that closely mirror the goods or services that you have recently been looking at. Obviously this increases the chances of you clicking on them and splashing out with your credit card or online payment platform of choice. The adverts might be pop-up windows, static boxes, banners or links, and not only are they pretty darn annoying but they can have some unpleasant repercussions too. Here's an example of an advert in Steam's built-in browser:



What can Offers4U adware do?

• Negatively interact with other programs that are installed on your device. This can cause instability in your operating system and leave you vulnerable to security breaches
• Due to the monitoring of your web activity, it can makes your CPU and internet connection sluggish
• It might add websites to your bookmarks folder - using up valuable memory
• Adware often redirects web searches to websites you don't want to visit
• It may bombard you with next-to-impossible-to-get-rid-of pop up or under-adverts

How do you prevent an adware infestation?

• Install a reputable anti-malware program on your device. Run often and ensure it's always up to date
• Download software from the publisher's website only – third party download sites normally package their downloads with adware
• Use pop-up blockers when a browser offers you the option
• If you're being shown a random pop up window, do not click the 'OK' or 'Close' button – if a pop-up is not credible it will often use this button as a 'sign' that you are agreeing to a further installation – of adware or worse. Close with the little red 'x' in the window's corner
• Many of the applications and programs we install are generally not really that crucial. By weeding out the unnecessary and only downloading the things you really need, you'll lower the chances of attack – especially considering games and similar applications can be loaded with adware

How to get rid of Offers4U ads?

To remove this adware from your computer and stop Offers4U pop-up ads, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Offers4U Ads Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Offers4U related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Offers4U
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Offers4U related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Offers4U, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Offers4U related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Offers4U, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Offers4U related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

If all of a sudden, most of your files have become unreadable and they all end with a .vvv extension then your computer is infected with a new variant of TeslaCrypt ransomware. Some anti-virus engines detect it as TR/Crypt.ZPACK. This ransom virus leaves multiple files called how_recover+*.txt and how_recover+*.html on your computer with information on how to decrypt your files. There can't be many of us who don't know about the plethora of malicious software, phishing scams, data breaches and other threats that are increasingly sophisticated – and increasingly unpleasant – as they do their level best to defraud, con, threaten, frighten and rob us. Unfortunately for the likes of us, the only real way to safeguard our data, bank accounts, and sanity, is to stay one step ahead of the latest dangers. And that means knowing what we are dealing with. To that end, in this post we are going to take a look at a type of malware that is often overlooked, despite the fact that thanks to its thoroughly spiteful nature, it really does deserve a little more time in the spotlight. Welcome to your TeslaCrypt 101.


What is TeslaCrypt ransomware?

One reason why ransomware seems to be relatively unknown when compared to malware such as Trojan Horses or spyware is that it goes under a few different aliases. Alternatively called cryptoware, a cryptovirus, cryptoworm or cryptotrojan, if you've stumbled across any of these names before, then you are also reading about ransomware.

Call it what you like, TeslaCrypt ransomware is an extremely dangerous, and worrying, program and something you definitely want to take pains to avoid. If you're wondering just what it is that this malware can do, the names given to the various strains might give you a clue: ransom, crypto... Yes, it is a program that has been designed to infiltrate your computer, kidnap your data by encrypting it, and then demand a ransom for its release (usually $300 or more). The theory is that once you have paid the ransom, you will be sent a code which will allow you to decrypt your files. This particular variant encrypts your files and changes file extensions to .vvv, for example review.docx.vvv. Such encrypted Word documents cannot be opened by any program. You will simply get an error message. What is more, it manages to encrypt files on Dropbox folders. Luckily, Dropbox offers free versioning on all of its accounts which means that you will be able to restore your files from previous versions. Unfortunately, you can't do the same with files stored on your hard drive. This ransomware attempts to delete all previous versions of encrypted files.


Ways that TeslaCrypt is spread

Unfortunately, it is spread in a couple of different ways, so there are a number of things you need to watch out for if you are to avoid becoming prey. If you have visited a website that has been compromised by ransomware you will be infected, or if you open an email attachment or click a link in an instant chat app message that contains the malware, you will also kick start the ransomware process.

What happens during a ransomware attack?

As I said earlier, the way that TeslaCrypt works is to hijack your files and then demand that you pay in order that they are 'released'. However, it is not quite as clear cut as all that and please don't think that by capitulating to the kidnapper's demands you will get your data back. Do not lose sight of the fact that we are talking about cyber crime here – the likelihood of the mastermind behind the program actually caring enough to supply you with the code to decrypt your files once you have paid is... well, not really very likely.

Therefore, if you do receive an email or on screen message telling you your files are being held hostage, don't pay a penny unless you absolutely must and have not other choice.

Should I pay the ransom?

There is NO guarantee that the party responsible will release your files so follow the steps in the removal guide below to remove this ransomware from your computer and hopefully, decrypt your files.

How to get my files back?

If you have a recent backup, wipe your hard disk and reinstall your files. If you don't, try Shadow Explorer and Recuva programs or search your computer for previous versions of files. If you are lucky enough you may find files that were not encrypted and renamed to .vvv. But before restoring your files, please remove the ransomware and related malware files from your computer. To do so, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing TeslaCrypt (.vvv extension) ransomware and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure the TeslaCrypt is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






Important! If you can't download or run it, please restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode and try again. If you don't know how to do that, please watch this video.

2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by TeslaCrypt (.vvv extension) virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist or Silicon Valley whizz kid to work out that, by the law of averages, the more time we spend online, the greater the odds of us being attacked by ransomware, a phishing scam, a virus, or a hack attack are. That's okay, you think to yourself, I have a sturdy anti-virus program installed, and I never download anything dubious or look at 'adult' websites. Well, I'm sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but in this day and age it is ransomware and its ilk that has the upper hand.


Antivirus programs and security software are sophisticated, yes, but they are created reactively, not proactively. Once a new version of some malicious file encryption software, for example CryptInfinite, which appends .crinf extension to encrypted files and leaves ReadDecryptFilesHere.txt ransom note is released, the security companies then scramble to come up with an update that can deal with the threat. What that means for you is that if you are running on an old version of your anti-virus software, you are not adequately protected. Likewise if you do not update your Windows OS or the other programs you have running on your PC, you are also vulnerable. And what about that window of opportunity (for the cyber criminals) when they have launched their new ransomware but the security companies have not yet discovered it, or have not yet been able to counteract it?

So how can I protect myself from CryptInfinite .crinf extension ransomware?

The best thing you can do is to educate yourself as well as possible so that you have a fighting chance of giving malware a wider berth as possible. And with that in mind, we are going to delve a little deeper into the murky world of ransomware.

What is CryptInfinite .crinf extension ransomware?

In a nutshell it is a type of computer software program that has been designed to extort money out of innocent end users by holding their files, data, or computer operating system hostage. This is 21st century style kidnapping: ransom notes ReadDecryptFilesHere.txt are sent in the form of emails or on screen messages and the victim is your encrypted data which will only be released to you upon payment of a ransom. Once installed, it deletes Volume Shadow Copies, disables Windows restore feature and attempts to terminate certain Windows processes like registry editor. ReadDecryptFilesHere.txt and the contents are as follows:

Your personal files have been encrypted!
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted using a military grade encryption algorithm.
The only way to decrypt your files is with a unique decryption key stored remotely in our servers. All your files are now
unusable until you decrypt them. You have 24h to pay for the release of your decryption key. After 24h have passed, your
decryption key will be erased and you will never be able to restore your files.
To obtain your unique decryption key you will need to pay $300 using a PayPal MyCash voucher.
If the payment is not sent within 12h the amount to obtain your decryption key will be $1000.
PayPal MyCash vouchers can be purchased at CVS, 7-Eleven, Dollar General, fred's Super Dollar,
Family Dollar and many other stores.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After obtaining your PayPal MyCash voucher code you need to send an email to
decryptor171@mail2tor.com or decryptor171@scramble.io with the following information.
1. Your $300 PayPal MyCash PIN
2. Your encryption ID = [edited]
Shortly after the voucher is received and verified, all your files will be restored to their previous state.
All payments are processed and verified manually, do not try to send invalid PIN numbers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, as you can see, to obtain your unique decryption key you will need to pay $300 using a PayPal MyCash voucher and if you fail to do so within 12 hours cyber criminals will triple the price. Two emails addresses decryptor171@mail2tor.com and decryptor171@scramble.io are given to send them your encryption ID and PayPal MyCash PIN. In your case, email addresses can be different because cyber criminals change them often. After that, you will be able to download DecryptorMax.exe program which will decrypt your files.

So, fairly straightforward: I pay the ransom and my data is decrypted, right?

You didn't think it was going to be quite that simple did you? Just because you've handed over your hard earned cash there is no guarantee that you are going to be able to retrieve your files. This is a cyber criminal you are dealing with after all – hardly the most credible or legitimate person to enter into a business arrangement with!

How do you get infected by .crinf / ReadDecryptFilesHere.txt ransomware?

As with pretty much all forms of malware, ransomware infects you in a couple of ways: through an infected email or messenger program attachment or link, if it has been packaged with an application, download or program, or if you've visited a compromised website.

Help – I've been infected! What should I do?

Don't pay the ransom! If you have a recent backup, wipe your hard disk and reinstall your files. If you don't, try Shadow Explorer and Recuva programs or search your computer for previous versions of files. If you are lucky enough you may find files that were not encrypted and renamed to .crinf. But before restoring your files, please remove the ransomware and related malware files from your computer. To do so, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing .crinf extension (CryptInfinite) ransomware and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure the ransomware is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






Important! If you can't download or run it, please restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode and try again. If you don't know how to do that, please watch this video.

2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by .crinf extension (CryptInfinite) virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

If the question 'what is Capricornus?' has played, let's not go as far as to say 'heavily', on your mind, then you are reading the right article as I explore the modern day nuisance of advertising supported software; more commonly known as adware.

Adware is the name that has been given to any software program that is able to display advertisements on a laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet's screen when the user is connected to the internet.


Clearly, as a form of advertising (for the 21st century) adware has been created with the purpose of getting us end users to spend our salaries on all those consumerable desirables: from holidays to sneakers, and from electronic devices to little black dresses, it's a crowded market place and everything is vying for our attention. But there is another reason for adware's existence and that is to generate revenue for its developer. Of course they can sell their programming services to brands and online stores, but they also use adware as a way to recoup costs for programs or apps they develop that they release to the end user for free, or for a low cost. The adware will be bundled with the original app or program – meaning that once you install this, you will be installing the adware in conjunction with it too.

Capricornus adware characteristics

Once you have installed this adware – along with its host program – you will have also installed a tracking component. This tracking component has the ability to monitor which websites you visit so that the programmer is able to decide what sort of "Ads by Capricornus" adverts they show you – adverts that will match, or closely resemble the products or services that you have recently been browsing. Sometimes ads can be completely irrelevant or what's even worse - misleading and potentially dangerous.

Does this mean that this adware is the same as spyware?

It probably all comes down to how comfortable you are having your browsing habits monitored. Suffice to say, some people are not cool with this at all, while others see adware as a 'necessary evil' if they are to continue enjoying free software.

Of course, one of the big sticking points in the argument is that the Capricornus adware is installed on your PC without your knowledge or permission – so doesn't hat technically make it malware, and therefore spyware? Those that say it doesn't include (obviously) adware developers - their argument is that if you bothered to read the small print – i.e. the EULA - the End User License Agreement – properly you would see that the 'add-on program' is actually mentioned. But is that often-ambiguous wording really enough? Or are we neglecting our duties as responsible computer users if we blithely click through the agreement and then state that we agree with its terms and conditions?

Protecting your computer fro ads by Capricornus?

The best advice we can give is to install a decent anti-malware program – and of course, as touched upon above - always read the End User License Agreement properly so that you know exactly what it is you are installing on your device.

Still getting annoying Capricornus ads?

Please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

"Ads by Capricornus" Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Capricornus related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Capricornus
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Capricornus related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Capricornus, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Capricornus related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Capricornus, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Capricornus related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

If you've wondered why you're seeing so many adverts when you use your computer and you're online, there is a very good reason for that: Adware.Trace located in C:\END. Adware is the term used for software programs that display adverts on your computer’s screen whenever you are connected to the internet. It can also make your your internet extremely slow or even crash your web browser.

But aside from pedaling their wares to you, the end user, does adware have another purpose? If you've guessed the answer to that question might be 'yes', then you are quite right, for as well as trying to convince you to buy that new Rolex (and clean your bank account out in the process), adware is also used as a way to generate income for its developer. All well and good for them, but where does that leave the likes of you and me as we battle to work, shop, play or surf the web while faced with an increasing barrage of adverts and slow internet? Many people claim Adware.Trace doesn't bother them, and that is fair enough, but increasingly, countless others are finding the proliferation of adverts in all their different guises annoying and distracting.

The way in which Adware.Trace works

Adware has two main MO's (modus operandi) and the advertising either presents itself to you as a screen which you will see when you are installing the adware (which is usually unwittingly), or the adverts will be hidden in the software's interface. The adverts that you see displayed on your device's screen may be banner ads, boxes or side banners or strips, or – the most irritating and hardest to get rid of - pop-up windows.

How does adware infect your computer?

Long story short, Adware.Trace will infect you by virtue of being packaged with another program. Put simply: you will download Program A but unbeknown to you, it comes attached to Program B – the adware. And it doesn't really matter what you are downloading for the cleverest, most expensive app on the internet stands almost as much chance as being packaged with adware (or any other type of malware) as does the cheapest, nastiest freebie out there. As mentioned, programmers and developers use the adware to earn money, which is why, for them, it is imperative that it's installed on your computer – and as sneakily as possible.

Should you be concerned about Adware.Trace?

You might be thinking, thus far, that it is just a nuisance but consider this: thanks to the program's ability to monitor which websites you are looking at, it means you are being constantly spied upon. Adware.Trace monitors you so the programmer can customize the adverts they show you - depending on the sites you have recently visited. In addition to this, because adware is busy collecting and relaying data – using your internet connection – it can also have a knock-on effect on your computer's productivity, slowing it down and in worst case scenarios, making it virtually unusable.

Prevent this from happening to your PC by installing a reputable anti-malware program, run it regularly - and keep it up-to-date!

How to get rid of Adware.Trace?

To remove this adware from your computer, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Adware.Trace Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Adware.Trace related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• DNS-Keeper
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Adware.Trace related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove DNS-Keeper, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Adware.Trace related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove DNS-Keeper, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Adware.Trace related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

Canopus is adware that has been created to display adverts labeled "Ads by Canopus" and "by Canopus" on your computer. These pop-up adverts aim to generate a high click through rate in order to increase sales and drive traffic to the website belonging to the advert's owner. Naturally, it is also a source of income for the adware's programmer too.

What is Canopus adware?

It is a computer program that displays or downloads Canopus ads on your computer's screen whenever you are connected to the internet. The adverts may appear as a pop up or pop under window, they could be large banners at the top of the screen, some of them are links, while others appear as boxes placed somewhere on the screen. Usually, this adware displays various product ads but it may also promote services and fake tech support pop ups.

The way in which Canopus operates

To avoid this adware – at least its most virulent strains – it can help to know how it finds its way on to your PC in the first place. The most common method is for a programmer to bundle the adware with another program, file or application. This means that when you download some software, you are also downloading the adware. And because adware is such big business, these days it is not only packaged with third rate applications or not very good games; it is just as likely to come with something that is genuinely useful – or even a well known brand.


Who creates adware - and why?

Programmers or software developers who create programs and programs that they release to the public for free often use adware as a way to recoup the cost of developing their original product. The ads by Canopus will generate a source of income which enables them to find a bigger audience for their program.

How does Canopus know what you're looking at online?

As we mentioned earlier, your PC has not suddenly developed a hitherto undiscovered talent – there is a real reason why it knows which adverts to show you? And that is because at the point of installation, the adware also installs a tracking component which can monitor your internet usage. This component records which websites you visit and transmits this data back to the programmer who can then make use of the information to decide which adverts they want to show you – and increase your chances of clicking and buying!

Should I take steps to protect myself from adware?

If you are one of those people who find adware's invasion of your privacy upsetting or worrying then yes, you probably do want to protect yourself from at least the most virulent strains of adware. After all, how do we really know what an adware programmer is also going to do with the data they collect? I strongly suggest that you install a reputable anti-malware program today.

How to get rid of Canopus ads?

To remove this adware from your computer and stop Canopus ads, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Canopus Ads Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Canopus related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Canopus
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Canopus related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Canopus, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Canopus related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Canopus, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Canopus related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

HELP_YOUR_FILES.TXT, HELP_YOUR_FILES.HTML, and HELP_YOUR_FILES.PNG belong to the new variant of the CryptoWall ransomware. If all your files have random extensions (ie: 0hrpfndfq.p5r or d0prg.m4) appended on the end of the legit extension (ie: DOC, XLS, PDF, EXE etc) and you see HELP_YOUR_FILES files in every directory then your computer is infected with ransomware. It doesn't take a genius or a technical hotshot to know that there are an ever increasing plethora of malicious software programs lurking in the darkest reaches of the internet that are used by cyber criminals to manipulate us into handing over our data or details. Our bank accounts and our identities can be at serious risk – and so too can our actual computers. Protecting yourself when you're online is now more important than ever before.


One type of malware that you really do need to educate yourself about - even though it is not quite as infamous as some of its cousins - is something called ransomware. But don't be fooled into thinking that even though it's not talked about as much as adware or spyware that you can ignore its very existence. Believe me when I say that ransomware is definitely something that poses a very real threat to all of us and it is definitely something that you do not want on your PC.

What is HELP_YOUR_FILES ransomware?

HELP_YOUR_FILES will attack you in a few different ways. As with many types of malware it might be hidden in an attachment sent via a spam email. Other variants of this ransomware programs are upping their game and moving with the times by hiding in links that are sent in an instant messenger app. Yet others follow the tried and tested route of being packaged with another software program or app that the ransomware has infected. Last but not least, if you have paid a visit to a website that has been compromised by the malware then you will also unfortunately be put at risk. CryptoWall ransomware seems to be the most commonly delivered payload by the Angler EK. At the moment, it's possibly the most active and sophisticated exploit kit. Once installed, it injects code into explorer.exe or svchost.exe processes and disables system restore. Unfortunately, it can delete Volume Shadow Copies too.

When you think about it, if it seems that if every time you are online that you are at risk, then you wouldn't really be exaggerating – and this of course makes it of paramount importance why you need to not only protect yourself with firewalls and anti-viruses but to also proactively make sure you are using best practices when it comes to working or playing on the internet.

Being extremely careful when you open email attachments or click on links is crucial, even if you do know the sender – who's to say that your friend or colleague hasn't had their email or messenger app hacked?


What HELP_YOUR_FILES ransom virus can do

As the name suggests, it will kidnap your files, encrypt them so that you are unable to access them and then demand a ransom for their release. The ransom note will be left on your computer in the form of an HTML file or text/image files and will tell you in no uncertain terms how much you have to pay, and by what method, if you ever want to see your files again. HELP_YOUR_FILES.HTML ransom note:

Cannot you find the files you need?
Is the content of your files that you have watched not readable?
It is normal because the files' names, as well as the data in your files have been encrypted.

Congratulations!!!
You have become a part of large community CryptoWall.

As you can see, it claims to be a part of the CryptoWall family. And it probably is because certain elements are clearly copied from previous CryptoWall variants. The note will tell you that once you have paid you will be sent a code that will allow you to decrypt your documents. However, this is not a guarantee and there are countless examples of people having handed over their hard earned cash only to be sent a big fat nothing in return.

What should I do if I've been infected?

It's easy to say, but try not to panic. And whatever you do, don't pay the ransom unless the encrypted files are very important and you can't afford to lose them. If the encrypted files are not very important or you don't have money to pay the ransom, you can remove try to restore your files (at least some of them) using Shadow Explorer, Recuva and some other specialized tools listed below. Please note that even of you decide to pay the ransom there's really no guarantee that cyber crooks will recover your files. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Last, but not least, if there's anything you think I should add or correct, please let me know. It might be a pain but the issue needs to be dealt with – and the way to do it is by not giving in, not paying up and not letting the attackers win.

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing HELP_YOUR_FILES and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure HELP_YOUR_FILES is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by HELP_YOUR_FILES virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

Constant redirects and www.newpoptab.com new tabs opening up in your web browser? Then the chances are fairly high that your computer is infected with a browser hijacker. It's a typical browser hijacker that changes proxy settings and redirects traffic through web servers controlled by scammers. This infection is usually detected as Hijack.Autoconfig.ShrtCln and it very often comes bundled with Trojan.Zeroaccess (Backdoor.0Access). As a result, you may be redirected to webpages filled with adverts or even worse - websites than can install malware on your computer.

But just how did newpoptab.com browser hijacker that you didn't personally download find its way on to your computer? It can seem like a real conundrum, especially if you are the only person that really uses your PC. Well, there are a number of different ways that this can happen – after all, you can say what you like about browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs but they fully utilize all their resources! So that said, you might wind up with a browser hijacker on your device in one of in a few different ways. This can either be a 'drive-by installation' which means that you have been infected by newpoptab.com when you visited a website that had been compromised by the certain malware. Luckily, however, this totally random method is something of a rarity because most browser hijackers actually attack your PC by piggy backing on another software program – i.e. something you have downloaded that you actually needed.

So what do you do if you THINK you have a browser hijacker on your PC but you're not 100% sure? Well, don't panic as defining the presence of newpoptab.com is not that hard at all. If you've logged on to see a new tool bar, new tab page or search engine and your original one appears to have gone AWOL then that is a sure sign you have been targeted by this browser hijacker.

Checking for newpoptab.com for Windows users

By now you are pretty confident that you have a browser hijacker on your computer but to make extra sure and be certain that you are not deleting something that may cause your operating system to start acting out – for example if you are using a shared home or workspace computer – thankfully there is a very simple way to check and the steps below should show you how to discover just what it is that is hiding itself on your PC:

1. First off, open the Control Panel and click on Programs
2. Hit Uninstall or Change a Program
3. All of the programs that you have installed on your computer are listed here. You can also see the date of installation.
4. Carefully read the list of programs and if you find something that looks suspicious give it a quick Google! This should give you a clue whether it is a browser hijacker or something that should actually be on your machine. Look for: Newpoptab, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics.
5. Spotted a Potentially Unwanted Program? Your wisest move is to uninstall it right now by using your handy Windows Uninstall a Program feature.

How do I remove newpoptab.com pop up tabs?

It can be a tedious task. It modifies browser settings and also makes modifications to Windows registry. Hopefully, the removal guide below will help you to remove this browser hijacker from your computer. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Newpoptab.com Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this infection. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove newpoptab.com related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following programs:

• PursuePoint
• LiveLyrics
• GoSave
• ExtTag

If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove newpoptab.com from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.



2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Newpoptab, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube extensions.

3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

6. Right-click Google Chrome shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

7. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.newpoptab.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Chrome executable file.



Remove newpoptab.com from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Remove Newpoptab, PursuePoint, LiveLyrics, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube browser extensions. Close Add-ons manger.

3. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.



Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.



In the search filter at the top, type: newpoptab.com

Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by newpoptab.com. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!

4. Right-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.newpoptab.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Firefox executable file.



Remove newpoptab.com from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.



2. Select Search Providers. First of all, choose Live Search search engine and make it your default web search provider (Set as default).

3. Select newpoptab.com and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.

4. Right-click the Internet Explorer shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.

5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://www.newpoptab.com/..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Internet Explorer executable file.

Technology doesn't stand still – and neither do the ways and means that cyber criminals use to attempt to unleash chaos on our computers and private lives. From programs that have been designed to damage or delete our data to those that try and scam us out of money, to the tactics employed by the people that want to steal our identities, there are any number of ways that we are putting ourselves in harm's way when we are connected to the internet. The world of cyber crime is big business and nowhere is that more evident than in the world of Eridanus adware.

And while Eridanus might not have been specifically created to corrupt our data or steal our passwords and login details, it does come with its own set of unique characteristics. Not least of which is its ability to leave your PC open to attack by something more harmful such as spyware. As anyone who knows anything about spyware is aware, this awful program can install a keystroke logger on your PC so the programmer can steal your passwords and other data - then using it to their own advantage.

What does Eridanus adware do?

Its main purpose is to drive traffic and leads to a website by displaying Eridanus ads. It will continually bombard you with annoying pop up ads "optimized by Eridanus" and "Super Offers" for very random products or websites. Other variants if this of adware will delete your browser and subsequently send everything you search for online to a site of the programmer's choosing – thus manipulating your search to drive traffic to their site.



So, if you've been infected by this adware, you probably want to know how to remove it. Some adware is easier to delete than others – it all depends how deeply it has been buried in your operating system. Nevertheless, try and remove it yourself before you have to turn to an expert and pay them to do it for you. Here are some simple steps to help you delete Eridanus on Windows:

1. If you don't have one installed already, download some malware removal software.
2. Next back up your files – just in case! Copy files onto an external hard drive.
3. Run your malware removal software and be sure to scan all drives that you suspect of being infected.
4. The software should tell you which program on your PC is actually adware. Delete it!
5. Shut down your PC again and then reboot it.
6. It is a good idea to run the malware removal tool for a second time just to make sure that you have completely got rid of everything that is lurking on your computer.

Still getting annoying Eridanus ads?

Please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Eridanus Ads Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove Eridanus related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• Eridanus
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove Eridanus related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Eridanus, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove Eridanus related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Eridanus, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove Eridanus related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

Certain adware variants can affect programs like Steam and display pop-up ads. In my case it was DNS Unlocker adware. Yours might be different but in general, if you want to stop pop-up ads in Steam client you need to remove adware from your computer. As you may already know, advertising supported software, or adware as it is more commonly referred to as, is the name for any computer software program that has been designed to show you ads and pop-ups when you are online and browsing the internet. Usually, adware affects web browsers but Steam client and similar programs can be affected as well. The whole reason for adware's existence is to generate revenue. The adware might be a source of income for the programmer but what does it mean for the likes of you and me?

In its most innocent incarnation adware is generally easy to ignore. In its worst incarnations, however, it is a different story entirely! If you are unlucky enough to be infected by the worst kind, you will soon be tearing you hair out in frustration.



The way in which adware works

Adware has two different ways of working. The first is to show you a screen when the program – or should we say malware – is installing itself, and the second is that it is actually buried in the software's user interface. If you are seeing pop up ads on your computer and in your Steam client you have been hit by the worst type of adware. If you are seeing adverts that are displaying products that are the same as, or very similar to, things you have been looking at online recently, then you are seeing the regular type of adware.

Wait! How does adware know what I have been looking at online recently?

Adware of this nature – i.e. the type that we all see every day - has one defining trait and that is the ability to monitor which websites you visit. This means that the programmer can decide which adverts they show you so that they have a better chance of you clicking through and spending some of your hard earned cash! How does it do that? Because when the adware is installed on your PC it also installs a tracking component that follows everything you do on the internet. Are you thinking what I am thinking? That's kind of an invasion of your privacy, no? It sure is but what makes it even worse that adware like DNS Unlocker can be grab info from Steam and other programs. So, don't be surprised to see third-party game advertisements on your Steam client. Of course, sometimes adware will probably display completely unrelated ads as shown in the image above. Real estate ads on Steam? Seriously? Well, scammers don't discriminate. If someone paid for such ads they will certainly display them no matter what program you use, even if it's Steam.

So does this mean that adware is a type of malware?

Adware is often talked about at the same time as other types of malware but this is actually somewhat of a grey area. Some people see adware as something that can be annoying, but livable with, while other people are strongly against its very existence thanks to its scant disregard for your privacy. And of course, the people that program adware will tell you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all!

I think I want to protect myself against adware – what do I do?

The best thing you can do to prevent adware from becoming a blight upon your online life is to install a decent anti-malware program on your computer.

How to stop ads and adware in Steam?

As I said, you need to identify and remove adware from your computer. You can do this manually or run a full system scan with anti-malware software. Either way, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. I use DNS Unlocker as an example but it should be the same with any other adware in case yours is different. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Steam Adware and Pop-up Ads Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove DNS Unlocker related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• DNS Unlocker
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove adware related extensions from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove DNS Unlocker, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!


Remove adware related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools Menu → Add-ons.




2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove DNS Unlocker, Extag, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.


Remove adware related add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.




2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.

You know as well as I do that when it comes to spending time online – whether that is for work or for play, the chances of being caught out by a phishing scam or being infected by ransomware which encrypts your files and changes file extensions to .breaking_bad are greatly increased. It's a sad fact of modern life that we are at constant threat by people who want to do us harm, steal or corrupt our data, or empty our bank accounts. And unfortunately, thinking that you are doing enough to protect yourself simply by installing some anti-virus software and sitting back and assuming it is going to keep you secure is simply not enough. Besides, added to that, the majority of people install an anti-virus tool when they first buy their computer and then rarely even give it a second thought. How out of date is YOUR anti-virus software?

When you take into account that business is seriously good in the cyber crime industry and the criminals that program and distribute viruses and malware are continually thinking up new and increasingly innovative ways to scam us out of our money or do us harm, it stands to reason that you should do everything you can to avoid becoming a victim by staying one step ahead of the latest threats. So without further ado, here we are going to take a look at a serious danger to internet users: ransomware.

What is ".breaking_bad" ransomware?

It is a thoroughly nasty piece of software and definitely something you want to learn about and avoid at all costs. In the most basic terms, it has been designed to con you out of your money. How it accomplishes this is by kidnapping the files that you have stored on your PC and holding them hostage until you pay a ransom for their release. It's a method of extortion that is as old as the hills – but adapted to harm a whole new generation of computer users.

But how does a cyber criminal hold your files hostage, you may be wondering. When you have been infected by this ransomware and all your files end with .breaking_bad extension, the program will encrypt your data so that you can no longer access it. Allegedly, once you have paid the ransom to get your files back you will be sent a code that enables you to decrypt them and restore them to their former state. This ransom virus leaves a text file on your computer with the following information:

Ваши файлы были зашифрованы.
Чтобы расшифровать их, Вам необходимо отправить код:
[edited]
на электронный адрес decodefile001@gmail.com или decodefile002@gmail.com.
Далее вы получите все необходимые инструкции.
Попытки расшифровать самостоятельно не приведут ни к чему, кроме безвозвратной потери информации.

All the important files on your computer were encrypted.
To decrypt the files you should send the following code:
[edited]
to e-mail address decodefile001@gmail.com or decodefile002@gmail.com.
Then you will receive all necessary instructions.
All the attempts of decryption by yourself will result only in irrevocable loss of your data.

The ransom text is written in Russian and English. To receive further instructions on how to get your files back you need to send your unique code to decodefile001@gmail.com or decodefile002@gmail.com.

That's annoying and potentially expensive, but my data is worth any amount of money!

Not so fast because there is absolutely no guarantee that a) you will be sent a decryption tool or b) if you were, the tool will work. Let us not forget that these are hardened cyber criminals that we are dealing with here. These are not benevolent kidnappers we are dealing with here. The likelihood is that they are simply going to take your money and run. Leaving you out of pocket and none the closer to getting your files back.

How to get my files back?

If you have a recent backup, wipe your hard disk and reinstall your files. If you don't, try Shadow Explorer and Recuva programs or search your computer for previous versions of files. If you are lucky enough you may find files that were not encrypted and renamed to .breaking_bad. But before restoring your files, please remove the ransomware and related malware files from your computer. To do so, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing .breaking_bad extension ransomware and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure the ransomware is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






Important! If you can't download or run it, please restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode and try again. If you don't know how to do that, please watch this video.

2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by .breaking_bad ransom virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

If all of a sudden, most of your files have been renamed with a .ccc extension and there are multiple files called howto_recover_file_*.txt and howto_recover_file_*.html on your desktop and in some folders then your computer has become infected with the improved TeslaCrypt ransomware variant disguised as CryptoWall. We are all well aware, in this day and age, that the more time we spend online, whether we are writing reports for work, playing shoot 'em up games, doing the weekly grocery shopping or simply killing time by stalking people on Facebook, the more risk there is of us falling victim to an online scam or by being infected by ransomware.


After all, there is an almost bottomless pit of money to be tapped in to in the cyber crime industry and ransomware programmers are becoming more sophisticated by the day – if not the hour! It's a dizzying thought when you stop to consider the cat and mouse games that producers of anti-virus software and security patches, and malicious software are playing. But what does it mean for people like you on me when all we want to do is connect online to chat to friends, post vacation photos, spend our hard earned cash on a pair of sneakers or – yes, actually do some work!? For a start we know have to be more careful than ever before if we don't want to become yet another statistic in the ongoing online battle between good and evil.

No two types of malicious software are the same which sadly for you and me means there is an endless amount of information to gen up on if we really want to give ourselves the best shot at defending ourselves against the latest threats.

With that in mind, in this article we are going to take a closer look at a type of malicious software program called ransomware. And in particular, the TeslaCrypt variant that changes file extension to .ccc. This malware is not as commonly known as some of the other types of malware – for example spyware or adware but we definitely think it is something that you should learn about how to protect yourself from, considering how unpleasant it is.

What is TeslaCrypt ransomware?

It is a nightmarish program which sounds like it has stepped straight out of the pages of a bad sci-fi movie. Its aim is to get you to pay an amount of money and the way it does this is by causing huge issues on your computer – mainly by making it impossible to use and encrypting your files so that you can't open them. Of course, a good deal of stress and upset are, naturally, part of the package for anyone who thinks that they may not be able to access their documents or photos ever again. And in light of this it can seem like the only option is to pay the sum of money in question.


You have more than likely discerned by now that it is this mode of operating that gives ransomware its name, for it does indeed hold you – or your files - hostage. Once installed, it leaves a ransom note howto_recover_file_* with instructions on how to get your files back. Cyber criminals will probably ask you to pay at least 1 bitcoin for the so called decoder tool.

Should I pay the ransom?

In a word: No! There is NO guarantee that the party responsible will release your files so follow the steps in the removal guide below to remove this ransomware from your computer and hopefully, decrypt your files.

How to get my files back?

If you have a recent backup, wipe your hard disk and reinstall your files. If you don't, try Shadow Explorer and Recuva programs or search your computer for previous versions of files. If you are lucky enough you may find files that were not encrypted and renamed to .ccc. But before restoring your files, please remove the ransomware and related malware files from your computer. To do so, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing TeslaCrypt (.ccc extension) ransomware and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure the TeslaCrypt is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






Important! If you can't download or run it, please restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode and try again. If you don't know how to do that, please watch this video.

2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by TeslaCrypt (.ccc extension) virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

Whether you are running a massive corporation, work in a small or medium sized company, freelance remotely on your own or use your laptop for reading the sports results, gaming or shopping online for shoes, when you are connected to the internet, you are putting yourself in the way of danger and there is no real guarantee that you are safe from an attack by a hacker, malware or a virus. There are plenty of scams out there and phishing and social engineering are increasingly being used by cyber criminals to con hard working folk out of their money, identities or data. So with that in mind, let's now take a closer look at a particularly nasty variant of ransomware which encrypts your files and leaves the VIRUSFUCKEDYOURFILES.txt ransom note with helpme@freespeechmail.org email address and instructions on how to get your files back.


Cyber criminals and hackers know that there is big money to be made. The malware industry is big business and criminals are making full use of their questionable programming talents to reap their ill gotten gains. So where does that leave the likes of you and me? Unfortunately simply downloading an anti-virus program and then forgetting about it is no longer enough. After all no sooner has the latest version of an anti-virus program or security patch been released then a brand new piece of malware will be launched to combat the latest security measures. Take a moment to think about when the last time you updated your anti-virus was...

What is helpme@freespeechmail.org ransomware?

It is one of the more unpleasant types of malware that you can come across and it can really get the stress levels rising if you have been unfortunate enough to have fallen victim to it. Ransomware's goal is to con you into handing over a sum of money – usually a not inconsiderable sum of money either! In addition to this it can cause real damage to your files and PC's operating system. How does it achieve this: by playing on our insecurities and vulnerabilities.

As with so many of the other sorts of malware, the clue is in the name when it comes to understanding just what it is that helpme@freespeechmail.org ransom virus can do. If you have been infected, the program will take your files and programs hostage and hold them to ransom. It does this by attacking your operating system and then encrypting the data on your computer so that everything is rendered inaccessible. So, yes, that does mean that you will now be unable to open your files, personal documents, work PowerPoints or spreadsheets, and all of those lovely family vacation photos you also have stored on your device. It leaves a text file named VIRUSFUCKEDYOURFILES with the following information:

Hello
If you wish to get all your files back, you need to pay 3 BTC.
How to get bitcoins?
1. google bitcoin ATMs
2. google localbitcoins dot com
3. google: buy bitcoins
This is the only way to get your files back.
There’s no way to decrypt them without the original key.
The price is non-negotiable.
After paying 3 BTC and emailing the confirmation of payment you will be provided with a decoder.
If you don't trust me, you can email one of your files, I will decode it and send it back to you.
However, if the file you're requesting to decode is valuable, I will send you either a quote from it or a screenshot.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Let me know if you want to proceed.
Thank you for cooperation.

This virus encrypts and renames files by adding unique ID and helpme@freespeechmail.org at the end of each file. Example of an infected PDF file: DOC EHD.pdf.id-1556620445_helpme@freespeechmail.org. The virus may also change file formats, for example from .pdf to .fff or something like that, so don't be surprised if you can't recognize new file format.

So what's the solution?

Obviously continually ensuring that your anti-virus and patches are all up to date is an absolute must but when it comes to defending yourself against a malware attack, educating yourself about the latest issues and staying alert are also essential. If you have a recent backup, wipe your hard disk and reinstall your files. If you don't, try Shadow Explorer program or search your computer for previous versions of files. If you are lucky enough you may find files that were not encrypted. But before restoring your files, please remove the ransomware and related malware files from your computer. To do so, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

Step 1: Removing helpme@freespeechmail.org virus and related malware:

Before restoring your files from shadow copies, make sure the ransom virus is not running. You have to remove this malware permanently. Thankfully, there are a couple of anti-malware programs that will effectively detect and remove this malware from your computer.

1. First of all, download and install recommended anti-malware scanner. Run a full system scan and remove detected malware.






Important! If you can't download or run it, please restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode and try again.

2. Then, download ESET Online Scanner and run a second scan to make sure there are no other malware running on your computer.

That's it! Your computer should be clean now and you can safely restore your files. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Restoring files encrypted by helpme@freespeechmail.org virus:

Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your files from a recent backup. If you have been regularly performing backups, then you should use your backups to restore your files.

Method 2: Try to restore previous versions of files using Windows folder tools. To learn more, please read Previous versions of files.

Method 3: Use RakhniDecryptor tool from Kaspersky.

Method 4: Using the Shadow Volume Copies:

1. Download and install Shadow Explorer. Note, this tool is available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

2. Open Shadow Explorer. From the drop down list you can select from one of the available point-in-time Shadow Copies. Select drive and the latest date that you wish to restore from.



3. Righ-click any encrypted file or entire folder and Export it. You will then be prompted as to where you would like to restore the contents of the folder to.



Hopefully, this will help you to restore all encrypted files or at least some of them.

EasyCalendar is a potentially unwanted Chrome extension that has permission to read and change all data on the sites you visit and may even display pop-up ads on your computer. I can't say it's definitely unwanted or malware because it actually shows you a calendar when you click on the button by the search bar. It's very simply but it does what is says. Don't confuse it with another extension available on Chrome web store called "Easy Calendar". The potentially unwanted one is here and it's just one word EasyCalendar. No complaints about the other one or similarly named Chrome extensions.



Potentially Unwanted Programs are disguised as something that to all intents and purposes could be seen as being useful: for example a tool bar, a home page, a search engine or a calendar as EasyCalendar extension. So far not so scary I can hear you say but the truth is that PUPs install themselves on your desktop or laptop surreptitiously and without making clear their intentions. This might sounds a little worrying but actually they are not particularly dangerous. However they are very annoying and, as with any program that installs itself without your say so, clearly have a hidden agenda and could leave you open to further breaches of security.

What does EasyCalendar actually do?

As discussed, the EasyCalendar will show you a calendar and display pop-up ads. The extension is Installed by enterprise policy which means that this extension is managed and cannot be removed or disabled. If this wasn't annoying enough this extension has been designed purely to redirect your internet searches to websites that the extension's programmer has a reason for wanting you to visit. I can pretty much guarantee that this will have you tearing your hair out in frustration before too long!

And, even more worryingly, it can also have a real effect on your security posture, making the programs you have installed on your machine interact negatively with each other and therefore creating instability and making your PC vulnerable to infection from more serious forms of malware.

How does EasyCalendar infect your computer?

In the majority of cases EasyCalendar Chrome extension arrives pre-bundled with another piece of software or an app. These may vary from something as reputable as a well known and much used program to a free game that you have decided to download just because you like the look of it, despite never having heard if it before. Occasionally you might be attacked by a bogus extension if you visit a website that has been compromised by it – this is something known as a drive by installation.

But it doesn't really matter all that much where the EasyCalendar came from, the point is, you probably don't want it on your computer! The good news is that because it is only potentially unwanted it should be mentioned in the End User License Agreement (EULA) that the software or app that you do want to download shows you at the point of installation. And by reading that carefully, you will stand a far better chance of stopping this extension in its tracks.

And if you already have EasyCalendar on your computer, the even better news is that most of them are easily removable via the uninstall program option. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

EasyCalendar Removal Guide:

1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.






2. Remove EasyCalendar related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:

• EasyCalendar
• GoSave
• Extag
• SaveNewaAppz
• and any other recently installed application

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.


Remove EasyCalendar extension in Google Chrome:

1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.




2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove EasyCalendar, Extag, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.

If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.



3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.


4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.


5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset. That's it!