This article aims to explain what is the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam and show you how to remove the ad-supported software causing these pop-ups to appear on your computer.
A new gift card scam has been detected to show images of a $1000 voucher for Best Buy. The scam reportedly displays banners that ask victims to enter their e-mail or fill out a survey in order to get a $1000 Gift Card for the chain retailer Best Buy. Since these banners are likely fake and caused by adware or websites with low reputation, we have created this instructive article with the main idea to help you identify the source of the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam and show you how to remove it effectively.
Threat Summary
| Name | $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam |
| Type | Adware |
| Short Description | A scam banner that aims to convince users to fill in a survey that asks for their personal and financial information with claims that after this, they will win a free Best Buy gift card. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online ads and $1000 Best Buy Gift Card banners, which results in slowing down of your PC. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam. |
$1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam – How Does It Spread
According to most recent information the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam was encountered on web pages that appeared on victims’ computers as a result of browser redirection occuring either via a website or via an unwanted program that may be installed on the victim PC.
These types of programs are usually spread as a result of software bunlding, meaning that they may be automatically installed on computers alongside the installation wizards of other free programs downloaded from software providing websites. Such programs often end up being your free media player, free converter and other freeware that is openly available. The bad thing here is that most software providing websites often end up adding the setups of unwanted software in order to make profit by aggressively advertising it “as an optional offer”.
$1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam – More Information
As soon as the unwanted program is added to the victims’ computers, it may immediately begin displaying different types of advertisements:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
In addition to this, the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam may also appear in different banners and redirects. We have detected only some of them, shown in the images below:
The banners may ask victims to fill out surveys that ask them to type in different information. So far, in relation ot the $1000 Gift Card scams surveys, we have detected the following data to be requested from victims:
Gender.
Age.
Full name.
Address.
Personal ID number.
Credit card number or IBAN.
City.
Zip Code.
Country.
Telephone.
Email.
Password.
Furthermore, the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card may also use different tracking technologies while you type in your information in order to obtain it. This method is called phishing and the sites which pretend to provide you services are phishing sites with their main goal of using cookies and other trackers to see what you type on those sites and extract this data. The information which you have provided may then either be sold in the underground marketplaces or be used to either steal your identity or steal money from your Bank Account. In addition to this, filling out such surveys may also make you accidentally agree to terms you have not even seen. Either way, it is best to avoid those type of scams and remove any adware and unwanted programs that may display you advertisements that lead to such sites.
Remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card – Related Adware
If you want to remove the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from your computer, we would strongly recommend that you backup your files beforehand. This will help you in making sure that you stay safe during the removal. To delete any adware that may be residing on you computer and showing the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam pop-ups, we advise you to follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been arranged so that you first try removing all files and objects related to the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam manually. If this does not seem to show any results, you can remove the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card automatically by using an advanced anti-malware software. This program will effectively help you remove all of the unwanted programs, allegedly related to $1000 Best Buy Gift Card scam and will also make sure to set up protection against future infections.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam (Windows).
Get rid of $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam (Mac)
Remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam will be removed.
Eliminate $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
$1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam-FAQ
What Is $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam?
The $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam Work?
Once installed, $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam can collect data about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. This data is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
$1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the $1000 Best Buy Gift Card Scam threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.