Are you struggling to remove Driver Tonic from your computer? Are you wondering what is the right method to get rid of the Driver Tonic “Virus”? This article will provide you with useful information.
Driver Tonic is a program that pretends to be a PC optimizer that enhances system performance. But is Driver Tonic a safe program? In fact, it is categorized as rogue software with fraudulent behavior, and many consider it a “virus”. Researchers outline that it could be set to display fake system issues in order to trick you into purchasing its full version. Unfortunately, the Driver Tonic “virus” may sneak into your system and run its installation files without asking you for permission. In case that you see this program running on your machine, you should remove it before it takes the chance to cause some serious security and privacy related issues.
Threat Summary
| Name | Driver Tonic |
| Type | Rogue application, PUP |
| Short Description | The application attempts to deceive users that it is a legitimate and useful system optimization utility. |
| Symptoms | Intrusive pop-ups, performance issues. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Driver Tonic. |
Driver Tonic — Distribution
Driver Tonic can be distributed using various tactics depending on the target users and the hacking group initiating the attacks. One of the most common tactics is phishing and the use of email messages that make use of social engineering tactics that coerce the targets into infecting themselves with the application. The files are either attached directly to the messages or linked in the body contents. They are designed to appear as legitimate notifications posing as originating from a well-known Internet company or service.
The files can also be uploaded to hacker-controlled sites — they are advertised as official vendor downloads pages, Internet portals or ad pages. They may use various images, interactive elements and contents that promises system optimization and other computer enhancements.
Other popular distribution tactics incorporate the virus delivery via code placed in infected payload carriers of which there are two main types:
- Software Installers — The Driver Tonic application installer code can be embedded in software installers of popular applications used by end-users. Typical examples include system utilities, creativity suites and productivity apps. Once they are installed on the target machines the virus infection will be deployed.
- Infected Documents — A similar technique can be applied to documents of all types: presentations, text files, databases and spreadsheets. They are disguised as legitimate notifications, messages, contracts, invoices or other commonly used files. Whenever they are opened by the victims a notification message will be spawned asking the users to enable the built-in macros. If this is done the installer scripts will be called leading to the Driver Tonic deployment.
These infected payloads can be distributed via file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent. They are a very popular place to search for pirate contents, installers of software, documents and e-books.
One of the advanced distribution tactics is the use of malicious web browser plugins. They are created to support the most popular software and are uploaded to their respective extension repositories. The use of fake user reviews, developer credentials and an elaborate description promising added functionality are warning signs of this type of infection. Whenever they are installed a typical behavior pattern is run automatically. In most cases this is the reconfiguration of the browser to redirect to a certain hacker-controlled site. The most common settings that are changed include the default home page, search engine and new tabs page. Following it other modules are launched, including the payload delivery one.
Is Driver Tonic Safe? Is Driver Tonic Malware?
Driver Tonic is a software utility that is advertised as a quality system optimizer bearing resemblance to other similar entries. We have received reports that applications using its name are scams or hold malware code into them. And if your computer has the malicious clone of Driver Tonic, then it is definitely not safe. Even if you are not using the application, information and passwords might be sent to hackers if there is an active Internet connection.
Driver Tonic — More About Its Impact
Driver Tonic clones might be malware, but that does not mean that the original application is bad software or that its developers are hackers. However we warn users that such copies do exist and serious damage can be caused to their machines. Our article gives details on how a typical infection will affect the target computers.
Upon installation of the application it may initiate an in-depth information gathering — an automated engine can be called that will harvest strings that can be roughly grouped into two main categories:
- Private User Data — The virus engine may extract information related to the identity of the users. Example contents includes their name, address, phone number, location and any stored account credentials. The collected information may be used for financial abuse and identity theft. –
- Computer Data — The other type of information that is retrieved from the systems is a report on the installed hardware components, certain user settings and operating system values.
When this stage is complete the extracted information can be used for another procedure — the so-called stealth protection module which will hide the infection from any security software or services that can interfere with it. This includes anti-virus programs, programmer debug environments, sandboxes and virtual machine hosts. Depending on the exact code they5 can either bypass the engines or altogether remove them.
The Driver Tonic application itself is being advertised as a system optimization utility. Upon interaction with the utility’s site the victims are redirected through various gateways that coerce them into buying a subscription package deal. This is one of the main goals of the app’s developers. A trial version is also available which will run a faux scan of the system. When the users engage the “fix” option they will be redirected to the payment site.
There are several reasons why the malicious copies of Driver Tonic should not be trusted. The security reports indicate that the installed application seems to be merely a user interface to standard Windows utilities. This means that the users may achieve the same or better results by using the control panel and the other service options available in Microsoft Windows.
An important reason that discourages users from using is the built-in option of driver updates which should not be trusted. In many cases third-party software that replaces the drivers delivered by Microsoft may lead to severe software issues. The provided support in the case of malicious and fake applications can lead to fake tech support scams — the users can be tricked into giving the operators more money for fraud recovery.
Another cause for concern is the fact that its use can lead to any of the typical features that are found in fake system optimizers:
- Payload Delivery — Many of the contaminated threats are used as payload devices for spreading viruses, ransomware, Trojans and other threats. This is done so as the fake software will go through the necessary steps to bypass the security software.
- Intrusive Ads — The applications through the collected personal data can display personalized ads. Whenever the ad is clicked on revenue will be rewarded to the malicious operators.
- Optimization Failure — Legitimate system issues may not be resolved by the application.
Remove Driver Tonic “Virus”. How Do I Uninstall Driver Tonic?
In order to remove Driver Tonic and all its associated files from your PC you should complete all steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal approaches that combined could help you to remove this undesired program in full. The automatic approach could properly locate all potentially harmful files so that you could access and remove them easily. Have in mind that some of the files associated with this rogue program may be detected with different names than Driver Tonic.
In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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How to Remove Driver Tonic from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Driver Tonic with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic (Windows).
Get rid of Driver Tonic from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic. 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Driver Tonic, 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 Driver Tonic (Mac)
Remove Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic will be removed.
Eliminate Driver Tonic 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".
Driver Tonic-FAQ
What Is Driver Tonic?
The Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic?
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 Driver Tonic?
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 Driver Tonic Work?
Once installed, Driver Tonic 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.
Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Driver Tonic 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 Driver Tonic?
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 Driver Tonic threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.