Olive Browser is developed by Tuguu SL. The browser is currently in its beta version. Our team has already written about products developed by Tuguu SL, such as Doma IQ – a monetization platform used by publishers for product bundling. Many researchers may refer to such products as adware and potentially unwanted.
| Name | Olive Browser |
| Type | Adware, PUP, Bundleware |
| Short Description | The browser has been detected as potentially unwanted by several AV providers. |
| Symptoms | Advertisements may be generated, additional software may have been downloaded alongside. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, the official page, other freeware websites. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Olive Browser |
According to several reports, Olive Browser (compatible with Chrome) may not be safe to use and may even be associated with malware. The browser can be downloaded from its official page – olivebrowser(dot)com. It may be advertised as a free and friendly Windows browser. Keep in mind that, even if the browser is legitimate, it may have been exploited by malicious programs. As a result of the exploitation, the user may witness a warning by Google Chrome. Our research indicates that AV scanners detect malware components in the primary executable process of Olive – olive.exe. Continue reading to learn more.
Olive Browser Technical Resume
Our research shows that Olive Browser, being a product developed by Tuguu SL, uses the DomaIQ download manager. As we mentioned in the beginning, the platform is broadly employed for bundling of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). What usually happens when a bundled installer is used is the user downloads unwanted software without adequate consent. Additional pieces of code included in the primary package may or may not be mentioned properly in the installer.
Some AV specialists refer to bundled installers as bundleware and downloadware. In general, unwanted software can be classified as riskware, and it’s not hard to guess why. If you unwillingly and unknowingly download a potentially unwanted program (which wasn’t properly disclosed in the Download Agreement), it may harm your PC by, let’s say, messing with its registry entries.
The least that can happen is you end up with a program you didn’t actually want or need. In addition, some PUPs can be persistent in the attempt to remove them manually, without using AV software.
In that sense, if you don’t remember downloading Olive Browser from its official website or another freeware page, it may have sneaked into your PC in a bundled software package.
Olive Browser Privacy and Data Collection Policy
Olive Browser collects information from its users. The data collection is described in the Privacy Policy section of www(dot)olivebrowser(dot)com.
There, it is stated that the authors of Olive Browser collect certain details such as used browser, visited pages through the browser, other applications installed on the PC. Nothing extra-ordinary here. However, by having a look at the Terms & Conditions, you will learn that extra offers may be included in the download package:
→Your download and software installation is managed by the installer. The installer downloads the files necessary to install your software; and (ii) scans your computer for specific files and registry settings to ensure software compatibility with your operating system and other software installed on your computer. Once the installer has been initiated, you will be presented with a welcome screen, it allows you to choose to install the software or cancel out of the process. We may show you one or more partner software offers. You are not required to accept a software offer to receive your download. We may also offer to: (i) change your browser’s homepage; (ii) change your default search provider; and (iii) install icons to your computer desktop. Software we own and our partner’s software may include advertisements within the application.
As visible by the paragraph above, Olive Browser and its affiliate partners can affect the browser and the system’s default settings, and may include advertisements. Additionally, advertisements may be generated within the browser, such as promotional information, advertisements, and offers for third party products or services, as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Olive Browser Scan Report
The primary executable – olive.exe – has been uploaded and analyzed by the VirusTotal scanner. 18 out of the 56 AV scanners detect the file as suspicious. Here are several detection names:
- Avira – PUA/Softpulse.Gen4
- BitDefender – Gen:Variant.Mikey.25987
- Dr.Web – Trojan.Domaiq.323
- ESET-NOD32 – a variant of Win32/SoftPulse.AJ potentially unwanted
- Kaspersky – not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.SoftPulse.heur
- MalwareBytes – PUP.Optional.InstallCore
Olive Browser Removal Options
Considering the data collection and display of advertisements policies, as well as the bundled nature of its installer, the removal of Olive Browser is recommended. To remove all traces of the browser and the software that it may have been bundled with, running a full system scan may be the best option. However, experienced users can follow the removal guide provided below.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Olive Browser in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Olive Browser.
Step 2: Remove Olive Browser from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Olive Browser and click “Remove”
After Olive Browser is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Olive Browser to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After Olive Browser has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on Olive Browser
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Olive Browser. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Olive Browser will be removed.
Step 3: Remove Olive Browser automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Olive Browser associated objects.
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How to Remove Olive Browser from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Olive Browser with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Olive Browser and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser (Windows).
Get rid of Olive Browser from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser. 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Olive Browser, 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 Olive Browser (Mac)
Remove Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser will be removed.
Eliminate Olive Browser 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".
Olive Browser-FAQ
What Is Olive Browser?
The Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser?
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 device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Olive Browser?
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 Olive Browser Work?
Once installed, Olive Browser can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Olive Browser 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 Olive Browser?
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 Olive Browser threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.