This article will help you to remove Reward Center scam pop-ups. Follow the removal instructions for this adware scam provided at the end of the article.
Reward Center is a scam which pushes a variety of advertisements and fake questionnaires and surveys. Many websites host similar content promoting fake rewards like iPhones, iPads, or Android phones such as Samsung Galaxy S9. Any software related to it will keep loading advertisements on your browsers, which classifies it as adware, too. Such websites claim that you will get such a reward if you provide all of the information asked in the questionnaire.
Threat Summary
| Name | Reward Center |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | Advertisements generated from this scam can display on websites and redirect you. |
| Symptoms | You keep seeing adverts in your browsers, like pop-ups, surveys, full-page ads, etc. You can get redirected from the adverts and links loaded by the adware. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Reward Center. |
Reward Center Scam – Distribution Tactics
The Reward Center scam might distribute via a third-party installation setup. Applications connected to Reward Center adware can enter your PC, without your knowledge of that. Bundled packages and freeware setups could be distributing this adware. Installer setups like those could be set by default to install additional components. To avoid installations of such unwanted applications, you have to search for the Custom or Advanced settings. From there, you should be able to deselect any component that you deem unnecessary.
Reward Center scam might distribute itself by using websites which are hosting its ads. Websites like these often offer surveys for iPhones or other rewards and can have plenty of redirect links. Clicking on just one redirect link or advert could put the adware in your computer machine. In addition, banners, pop-ups as well as more kinds of adverts could be placed on the Internet to popularize this adware scam. These ad-types might redirect to one of the domains for this adware. All browsers which could be affected are: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.
Reward Center Scam – Detailed Description
Reward Center is a scam message appearing inside different Web pages for related adware applications. The scam may have variations, but at is basically the same. The message will try to trick you into giving your personal information while lying to you that you will receive a new phone or a modern android device for completing a survey. Websites hosting the scam can load pop-ups and other advertising content as you use it. All such websites, along with their surveys and all kinds of applications associated with it, can generate heaps of advertisements.
You can view the main page of a website branded as “YouTube Reward Center” :
Below you can see another site called “Google Reward Center” :
The above images show that every big, reputable company might have a scam dedicated to it, hosted on suspicious websites, trying to collect user information. Interestingly enough, there are similar scams related to Amazon Gift Cards around the Internet.
Reward Center scam generates advertisements such as pop-up boxes, banners and some few others, as well. Lots of shopping deals related to iPhone could be generated by website like the one shown above. Except surveys, there might be different kinds of the scam showing shopping deals, discounts, coupons, and all kinds of content that is generated by adware in your browsers.
In the case your browser software and your computer machine have any program associated with this adware platform or related apps, you can witness a lot of sponsored content, targeted advertisements, and redirect links which show when surfing online.
The following is a related scam message displayed on the main page of a website promoting:
YouTube Reward Center
Surveys Promotions
Every Tuesday exclusive internet/Communication companies select (7) users in the US to randomly to recieve a gift. This week, it is for jump management srl connection with generic web browser Desktop! You need to key in your details for verification!
(5) users have won the New iphone x.Only (2) units left (Space Gray 64GB Only) for grabs.
You have 0 minutes 39 seconds to answer the questions before someone else takes over your spot. Good luck!!!Are you the owner of this smartphone?
Yes
No
Besides the YouTube Reward Center above, you can witness a “Google Reward Center” with the following message:
Google Rewards Center
Congratulations Chrome! Your Chrome won (1) Google Giveaway!
Every Friday, we select 10 Chrome users randomly to receive a free gift. This FREE gift is EXCLUSIVE for Chrome users in USA! It’s our way of thanking you for your continuous support to our products and services. (Product Name: iPhone 6S).
We are giving away limited number of iPhone 6S. Answer the following four simple questions to find out if you’ve won.
Do it now! 9 other Chrome users have already received this prize and there are only 5 left!
You have 1 minute and 26 secondsTo answer these questions before somebody else takes your place!
Question 1 of 4: Who founded Google?
Bill Gates Mark Zuckerberg Larry Page
All Reward Center related websites could spread links that can redirect you to other suspicious websites to generate traffic. This traffic can be turned into revenue from using a pay-per-click scheme. A huge number of the advertisements on the site might be associated with affiliates or partners of the shopping-oriented service. The adverts, plus all other sponsored content can collect information about you and your browsing activity. Advertisements tied to the Reward Center scam can be in the form of banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, surveys, plus in-text links ads. Other ad-types are not excluded from showing as well.
”Reward Center” Scam – Data Collection and Tracking
No Privacy Policy is present on any of the websites hosting the Reward Center scam or such a policy isn’t publicly accessible. This Reward Center scam could collect both personally and non-personally identifiable information about you and your browsing activities without you even knowing.
If you complete the survey, you will be asked to fill in the following personal details:
- Your full name
- Your physical address
- Your e-mail address
- Your telephone number
- Your social security number
Not being able to see what is written in the Privacy Policy of a website hosting the scam, you won’t be able to know what information could be obtained from you. However, you can expect it to be bad. Not to mention that the domain hosting the adware can redirect you to websites that can also obtain information about you.
The Reward Center scam can be hosted on multiple Web domains. These domains could store cookies on your computer device. Cookies probably collect different data about you, ranging from non-personally identifying one to personally identifying one. That information is stored on servers related to the adware. Your IP address, physical location and similar details could be revealed to the makers of the adware through various outputs.
More tracking technologies besides browser cookies might be at play, too. If you do not approve of such an intrusion of your privacy, especially when you do not know how deep it goes, then you should consider removing this adware and all related files as quick as possible.
If you do not like how your privacy is invaded and have a program related to the adware scam on your computer system, then you should remove the adware and its related files.
Remove “Reward Center” Scam Completely
To remove Reward Center manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step instructions manual provided down here. If the manual removal does not get rid of the ads and shopping website from appearing, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Reward Center from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Reward Center on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Reward Center in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Reward Center from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Reward Center from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Reward Center from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Reward Center from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable Reward Center Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
About the Reward Center Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Reward Center 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 Reward Center?
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 Reward Center threat is backed with VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1.Browser Redirect – What Is It?
2.Adware Is Malicious, and It Uses Advanced Techniques to Infect
3.The Thin Red Line Between Potentially Unwanted Programs and Malware
4.The Pay-Per-Install Affiliate Business – Making Millions out of Adware
5.Malicious Firefox Extensions Installed by 455,000 Users Blocked Updates
How to Remove Reward Center from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Reward Center
Step 2: Uninstall Reward Center 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 3: Clean any registries, created by Reward Center on your computer.
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 Reward Center there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for Reward Center with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.
Video Removal Guide for Reward Center (Windows).
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of Reward Center from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Reward Center and remove related files and objects
1.Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3.In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Reward Center:
4.Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5.In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Reward Center. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
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 Reward Center. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Reward Center 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Reward Center. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 Reward Center files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Reward Center, 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 Reward Center (Mac)
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Reward Center 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Erase Reward Center 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Uninstall Reward Center 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Reward Center 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 Reward Center will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate Reward Center 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 caused by Reward Center 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".
Reward Center FAQ
What is Reward Center?
The Reward Center threat is adware or browser redirect virus. It may slow your computer down siginficantly 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 Reward Center?
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 has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #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 reccomend 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 Reward Center?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most adware or unwanted program threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them from your browser and computer. One reccomended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you. There are many anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter is one of the reccomended anti-malware apps, that can scan your computer for free and detect any viruses, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps and eliminate them quickly. This saves time when compared to doing the removal manually.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Reward Center?
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 e-mail 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 activiites 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 reccomendations, 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.
More tips you can find on our website, where you can also ask any questions and comment underneath the articles about your computer problems. We will try to respond as fast as possible.
