RapidFixer is advertised as maintenance sotftware that should provide a variety of optimization features, including registry repair and PC security.
| Name | RapidFixer |
| Type | PUP, bundleware |
| Short Description | The software is advertised as a PC optimizer. |
| Symptoms | Unwanted advertisements, changes to the browser’s settings and registry. |
| Distribution Method | The official website, possibly in bundled installers. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By RapidFixer |
RapidFixer is available for download on its official website and it can be tried for free for 30 days. After the end of the trial and according to the Terms of use, a fee has to be paid. However, as of the time of the article being written, we couldn’t locate the amount of the fee anywhere on the official website. Users should also note that RapidFixer has been flagged as a potentially unwanted program that does more harm than good to the computer.
RapidFixer Description and Distribution
The program is promoted as a PC optimizer utility but may not meet the expectations of the user. Even if the program does what it promises, it may endanger the system by dropping adware programs and adding registry entries.
Important
According to our own research, RapidFixer employs a bundled installer. This is how the program’s installation platform looks like:
As visible, two installation options are given to the user – easy (recommended) and advanced. If the user doesn’t pay attention and skips this step, he will download additional pieces of ad-supported software. One of the programs installed by RapidFixer is SmartWallet. However, the other one is not properly disclosed and may be anything from an ad-supported browser extension, to a spyware program designed to harvest sensitive information.
What Is SmartWallet?
SmartWallet is an ad-supported program that is most likely located in C:\Program Files\SmartWallet\SmartWalletUninstaller.exe. All of the features of adware apply to the application:
- SmartWallet may be detected as PUP.Optional.SmartInstall.
- SmartWallet may collect PII and non-PII and use it for marketing purposes.
- SmartWallet may employ various tracking technologies like cookies and beacons, and may not support Do Not Track browsing preferences.
- SmartWallet may alter the Windows Registry and add a new registry key.
A running AV program can detect or block SmartWallet:
Now, let’s go back to the primary application that installed SmartWallet and another, unknown piece of riskware onto the system – RapidFixer. When users plan to download and use third party software, they often forget how important it is to read the
Terms and conditions
End User License Agreement
Download Agreement
Privacy Policy
and any other section that provides information about the software provider and his intentions.
The STF team has analyzed the EULA available on the official website of RapidFixer. What our team of researchers found troublesome about the software is:
- The price of the product is not known and if the user has given away his banking information, he may end up being charged an enormous amount of money.
- The software provider has the right to change the price of the product at any time. A notification about the change will be displayed on the website, but no further notice will be given to the user.
Have a look at the image:
Does RapidFixer Affect the Browser?
Yes. The program is designed to change the default browser settings. As a result of the changes, the browser’s search page, home page and new tab page may be changed. Here is the place to remind users that software providers such as the developers of RapidFixer cooperate with affiliate partners and third parties. The changes to the browser may occur after an additional download of a product, promoted in RapidFixer’s installer, takes place. Such browser alterations are typical for browser hijackers, often employed to:
- Redirect users to predefined pages.
- Generate pay-per-click revenue.
- Collect sensitive user information.
Should RapidFixer Be Removed from the System?
Due to its dubious download agreement and bundling policy, RapidFixer has been classified as a potentially unwanted program. Users, who find the program useful and don’t mind having it installed on their machines, shouldn’t disregard the fact that their online activities may be monitored. Furthermore, the bundled installer of RapidFixer may open the door to other unknown and potentially harmful programs. To completely eradicate all traces of RapidFixer and its affiliate software, an AV scanner is recommended, if not required.
A removal guide is provided just below, may it be suitable for tech-savvy users only.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall RapidFixer in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall RapidFixer.
Step 2: Remove RapidFixer from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select RapidFixer and click “Remove”
After RapidFixer is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select RapidFixer to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After RapidFixer has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on RapidFixer
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall RapidFixer. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the RapidFixer will be removed.
In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:
Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove RapidFixer.
Removing RapidFixer from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing RapidFixer from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove RapidFixer.
Step 4: Remove RapidFixer automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all RapidFixer associated objects.
