There have been numerous cases of users being affected by a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) known as InstallCore.
InstallCore Potentially Unwanted App (PUA)
This program, otherwise detected as PUP.InstallCore, PUP.Optional.InstallCore, Riskware/Installcore, PUA/OSX.InstallCore.ccibf, and AdWare.Win32.InstallCore is classified as an adware extension that displays various forms of third-party content. InstallCore is reported to be bundled with third-party applications to affect computers unnoticed. Both macOS and Windows users can be affected.
Online security experts strongly advise for its complete removal from any user machines, because it may slow down PCs, collect various information from them to display targeted ads and redirect users to suspicious third-party websites.
Threat Summary
| Name | InstallCore, also known as PUP.InstallCore |
| Type | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Application |
| Short Description | A bundle application which may be unwanted. Both macOS and Windows can be affected. |
| Symptoms | Intrusive pop-up advertisements. PC slowdows. Modified browser settings and registry objects. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling; Unsafe browsing |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss InstallCore. |
How Did InstallCore Sneak into My System?
InstallCore is reported to utilize a well-known tactic, known as bundling. What the app may do is install in the background while you install any random third-party freeware. The free third-party software providers may bundle unwanted apps in the Setups of freeware apps as a part of a profit-generating marketing scheme (monetization).
InstallCore – What Does It Do?
This suspicious extension, classified as a PUA, may exhibit several unwanted activities on your system. These can be:
- Annoying forms of advertised content.
- Sudden redirects to pages suspicious web pages that may conceal dangers from the user.
- Unexplained appearance on the affected PC’s web browser.
Most of your average antivirus programs might not be able to detect InstallCore because it is not a direct threat to the computer. This is the reason that most security programs do not stop InstallCore when it slithers onto the user systems. And most users tend to neglect the ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ option when they install new software. In some cases, such PUPs may not even be featured in the steps and be fitted in the background without any knowledge of the user, except possibly in the EULA agreement. These actions make apps like these extremely efficient for generating profit by taking advantage of pay-per-click schemes and affiliate marketing.
The PUA is also reported by experts to modify or create keys and values in the Windows Registry and also change some of the browser settings, making itself harder to uninstall and granting some permissions.
By modifying those, this program can further:
- Change the browser’s homepage and new tab.
- Display annoying advertisements during the browsing process in different forms, such as pop-ups, modified site content, Blackhat SEO otherwise known as ad-supported search results.
- Automatically start with Windows or macOS.
This PUA may be difficult to uninstall since it may implement different strategies that allow it to remain on affected PCs after deletion. One reported problem, regarding the InstallCore PUА, is that it may return to the system after regular uninstall.
PUАs such as InstallCore are created for the one and only purpose – making funds to their creators by taking advantage of inexperienced users. To do this, they usually employ a strategy that is third-party focused. There are some suspicious third-party websites that may be hazardous to the user because they can either scam him out of his money using various tactics or infect the used PC with dangerous malware. This is the main reason experts consider these PUPs as hazardous to the user.
Remove InstallCore Fully
To remove the PUA entirely, you may follow the removal manual, provided below. But the best solution that will eradicate InstallCore once and for all is to detect all known associated files and registry objects. This can happpen with a particular anti-malware program that is also oriented in removing potential threats such as these ones from the computer. By installing such software, you also ensure that no future threats penetrate your system because anti-malware includes active shields to prevent any potential risks from entering into your PC.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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How to Remove InstallCore from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for InstallCore with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore (Windows).
Get rid of InstallCore from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall InstallCore 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 InstallCore. 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as InstallCore, 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 InstallCore (Mac)
Remove InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore will be removed.
Eliminate InstallCore 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".
InstallCore-FAQ
What Is InstallCore?
The InstallCore 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 InstallCore?
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 InstallCore?
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 InstallCore Work?
Once installed, InstallCore 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.
InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 InstallCore Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this InstallCore 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 InstallCore?
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 InstallCore threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.