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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove InstallCore from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of InstallCore from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove InstallCore from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase InstallCore from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall InstallCore from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove InstallCore from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate InstallCore from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove InstallCore from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove InstallCore
Step 2: Uninstall InstallCore 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 InstallCore 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 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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of InstallCore from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall InstallCore 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:
- 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
