by Berta Bilbao | September 10, 2016 | 0 Comments adware, browser extension

QuizCrystal.com is a platform that hosts quizzes and horoscope readings daily. QuizCrystal is considered adware because of all advertisements that it tries to push. Those advertisements can redirect you to websites connected to the adware. A browser extension related to this service could be added to your browser applications. To remove all adverts from your browsers, you should read the whole article.

Threat Summary

Name	QuizCrystal.com
Type	Adware, PUP
Short Description	The site hosts advertisements which can display on similar platforms and websites.
Symptoms	You will witness adverts inside your browsers – pop-ups, interstitial and more.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss QuizCrystal.com.

QuizCrystal.com – Distribution

QuizCrystal.com usually distributes with third-party installations. The installations can place the adware onto your computer system, through bundled packages or freeware installer setups, without your awareness. Setups like these might be set by default to put additive components. To prevent unwanted content and apps from installing could be done if you find Custom or Advanced options. You should be able to find how to deselect content from there.

QuizCrystal.com is also distributed through a browser extension, hosted on the main website as seen in the above image. The extension might be present on the Google Chrome Web Store. When you visit websites that are suspicious or have a bad reputation the adware can intrude your personal computer as well. In case you have clicked on advertisements, such as banners or pop-ups, a chance exists that you got the ads from there. Browsers which could be affected are: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer and Safari.

QuizCrystal.com – Description

QuizCrystal.com is a website platform which offers horoscope readings, quizzes, looking into your future and other, similar things. That is just a front as the website’s main aim is to generate advertising content, and the reason why is considered as adware. Its advertisements can be seen on different websites around the Internet, too. QuizCrystal.com is very similar to the site DestinyScope.com and is certainly made from the same people.

Below in the picture, you can view the main page of the site:

When you have any application which is tightly associated with the QuizCrystal.com site, inside your browser programs or computer machine, it is certain that you will see more advertisements while browsing. QuizCrystal could redirect you to different websites, so if that happens, be very careful with the actions you take on it.

Adverts can go with one of the following texts:

Ads by QuizCrystal.com
Ad by QuizCrystal.com
Advert from QuizCrystal.com
Advertisement by QuizCrystal.com
Powered by QuizCrystal.com
Brought to you by QuizCrystal.com

QuizCrystal could be spreading lots of redirects along its advertisements. The scheme that is implied with those redirects is to be generating web traffic which in turn is used to make revenue for the owners of the website. A pay-per-click service is usually used to do so. The redirects could also lead to the sub-domain page containing the quizzes:

Advertising content that is closely connected with the adware can vary in terms of types. All advertisements which are tied to QuizCrystal.com are shown on the Web as text links, banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, or interstitial, shopping and transitional ads. Some of these adverts, such as the banners and pop-ups, could be placing targeted content based on the clicks you did and your browsing activity.

QuizCrystal.com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of QuizCrystal.com is shown in the image under this paragraph. The policy is short but specific. It starts with a quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson – “Be silly, be honest, be kind”. The makers of this adware are honest indeed, as they describe in detail how they intrude your privacy. They clearly state that personally and non-personally identifiable information can be obtained. The Policy also says that the QuizCrystal.com website shares that information to third-party ad networks. That information would also be transferred as an asset in case another company becomes the new owner.

The policy states that the following information may be collected:

Browser – type and version
Your Name
Geographic location
Your Email address
Search queries, pages viewed and ones you visit on the site
Operating system (OS) – type and version
Date and time stamp
Your IP addresses
Internet service provider (ISP)
Installed programs and running processes/services
Content of web pages you visit, URLs and HTML

QuizCrystal.com utilizes cookies and Web beacons among other tracking technologies that gather additional data from you. Third parties partnered up with them might also use browser cookies for similar collecting of information. If you do not approve of the obtaining and sharing of your personal details, you should remove this adware and all of its related content from your computer.

Remove QuizCrystal.com from Your PC

To remove QuizCrystal.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instruction guide provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of all adverts completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can help keep your computer safe in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove QuizCrystal.com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of QuizCrystal.com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove QuizCrystal.com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase QuizCrystal.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall QuizCrystal.com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove QuizCrystal.com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate QuizCrystal.com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable QuizCrystal.com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove QuizCrystal.com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove QuizCrystal.com

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall QuizCrystal.com 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by QuizCrystal.com 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 QuizCrystal.com 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.

IMPORTANT!
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 QuizCrystal.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

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.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of QuizCrystal.com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall QuizCrystal.com and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

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 QuizCrystal.com:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

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 QuizCrystal.com. 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 QuizCrystal.com. 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 QuizCrystal.com 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

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 QuizCrystal.com. 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 QuizCrystal.com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as QuizCrystal.com, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for QuizCrystal.com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove QuizCrystal.com 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 QuizCrystal.com 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 QuizCrystal.com 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 QuizCrystal.com 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 QuizCrystal.com will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate QuizCrystal.com 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.