This article will help you remove Software-files.net absolutely. Follow the removal instructions for the adware given at the end.
Software-files.net is a website of a network that is in the same time a content platform. The offered content consists of software setups for your PC. Beware as these setups can contain additive features and might install adware on your computer. The service spreads a lot of advertisements and can redirect you to different websites, so it is considered adware. The owners of the websites probably generate most of their income from the advertisements, by monetizing the online traffic that goes through their service.
Threat Summary
| Name | Software-files.net |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | The site generates advertisements, which can show on other websites when you browse. Also the website offers software setups which might contain adware. |
| Symptoms | You will see advertisements all over your browsers, like pop-ups, message boxes, in-text links and other types. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Software-files.net. |
Software-files.net – Ways of Delivery
The Software-files.net platform might get delivered in a couple of ways. One of the ways includes third-party installations. Without your awareness, the adware could be placed on your computer with those third-party bundle setups with freeware applications. Setups could be set by default to add extra content along with the main software for installation. To avoid unwanted components from installing is doable if you find a Custom or an Advanced options menu.
The owners of Software-files.net most probably use advertisements distributed across the internet as a way of delivery. Banners, pop-up and pop-under adverts might be used to get inside your computer if you are not careful. Visiting websites of unknown origins or ones that are dubious can trigger redirects which can be used as another delivery method by this adware. Browsers that can get affected are the following: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.
Software-files.net – In Depth
Software-files.net is the main page of a website that hosts the services of a content platform of the same name. The offered content consists of software setups for your PC. A heap of advertisements and redirects can be displayed while you are browsing if you have programs connected with Software-files. The software connected to it is considered part of this adware. On the picture below you can see the main web page of Software-files.net:
If your computer machine has any software installed on it that is associated with Software-files.net, you will see a big amount of online advertisements. If your browsers have some extension, add-on or plug-in related to the adware, you will witness even a bigger amount of adverts. You will be redirected to various web pages that could be affiliated with the owners of this platform. Furthermore, you might land on similar websites which pay for the generation of such traffic through adverts and redirects.
Advertisements can show one of those texts inside:
- Ads by Software-files.net
- Advertisement by Software-files.net
- Ad by Software-files.net
- Advert from Software-files.net
- Powered by Software-files.net
- Brought to you by Software-files.net
The redirects could be in the form of adverts or in-text links. The Software-files.net network places those on websites to generate online traffic and present lots of content that website owners want to promote. The Web traffic that accumulates can be monetized later from services like the one of this adware platform, or by using a pay-per-click plan.
The advertisements can be of mixed types, but all of them will have the same goal – making revenue for the adware and website owners. Advertisements connected to Software-files.net can be seen across the Internet as pop-ups, in-text links, pop-unders, banners, interstitial or transitional adverts. Other ad types are possible to show up, too.
Software-files.net – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of Software-files.net can be accessed by scrolling down and clicking on the “Privacy Policy” hyperlink on the header of the website. The site does not seem to use browser cookies itself without the platform being somehow installed to your browser. Different information about you is collected by the Software-files service.
You can see a picture of the Privacy Policy here:
The policy says that the following information will be obtained:
- Your name
- Your country
- Your E-mail address
- Your Zip code
- Your gender
- Your age (range of ~5 years, i.e. 16-18)
- Your general interests
- Other information you provide (including surveys etc.)
The website might use are cookies and other tracking technologies like Web beacons and pixel tags to collect further information about you and your online habits, regardless of the statement in the policy that the site does not use cookies. Eight cookies in total are used when you use their services and sites.
The recommended action for you to take is removing the adware and everything that can be connected to it.
Remove Software-files.net Absolutely
To remove Software-files.net manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal tutorial provided below. In case this manual removal does not get rid of the ads completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such an application can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Software-files.net from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Software-files.net with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net (Windows).
Get rid of Software-files.net from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net. 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Software-files.net, 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 Software-files.net (Mac)
Remove Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net will be removed.
Eliminate Software-files.net 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".
Software-files.net-FAQ
What Is Software-files.net?
The Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net?
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 Software-files.net?
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 Software-files.net Work?
Once installed, Software-files.net 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.
Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Software-files.net 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 Software-files.net?
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 Software-files.net threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.