A suspicious web browser, known as Sheild+ has been reported by cyber-security researchers to be installed involuntarily to user PCs. This potentially unwanted program is strongly believed to advertise heavily, slow down the user PC and mostly to collect different user information. Since the application is categorized as a low-level cyber-threat, it Is not detected via conventional antivirus methods.
Name | Shield+ |
Type | Ad-supported web browser. |
Short Description | The web browser may perform suspicious activities, collect user information and |
Symptoms | The user may witness fake Java Update downloads as well as redirects to other potentially harmful domains. |
Distribution Method | Via PUPs, installed by bundling or by visiting a suspicious third-party site that is advertising it. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Shield+. |
Shield+ Browser – Distribution
The Shield+ browser may usually be spread via bundled downloads. This means that you may encounter it in an “Add Shield+ as a free extra to this install” opt-in button in the “Advanced” setup preference of a program you may have downloaded. Such strategy is used when program installers are either uploaded to suspicious torrent sites as a part of an affiliate marketing trick to generate revenue to the publisher of the setup. Since most inexperienced users are not used to this aggressive marketing strategy or have a fast-clicking syndrome, they miss applications like Shield+ Browser.
Shield+ Browser In Detail – Is It Legitimate
When we visited the website of this believed-to-be Chromium web browser, we have established that it had several interesting details in it. What was most intriguing was that when the Privacy Policy, the Download button, and the License terms were clicked on, we received the very same result – 404:
This either points out to the possibility that the web browser has been discontinued, or that the web browser is still distributed, and the website is just there for a bit of a “show and tell”.
Another interesting aspect that intrigued us was that Sheild+ was Chromium based. Most Chromium based web browser that we have met along the way that has the same “404” type of websites have usually turned out to be ad-supported and unwanted. Examples are Torch Browser, Mustang Browser and so on. So as far as you, the user may be concerned this web browser may be no good for you.
Furthermore, researchers, analyzing Shield+ have confirmed that the web browser may use malicious practices to obtain any user-entered information via its code. This may include personal details, online clicks, browsing history and other. This information may be used to for different purposes:
- Display pop-ups, banners, browser redirects to phishing or scamming websites based on the same subject as the user has searched online.
- Directly trade the user information on the black market.
- Infect the user with malware, by knowing his IP address, antivirus software and other System information such suspicious browsers may collect.
In addition to that, the web browser may modify the Windows Registry Editor and change different settings there to make itself difficult to uninstall.
Cyber-crime has surely evolved over the years especially when it comes to the big bottleneck which is the methods of situating unwanted software or malware on the user PC. At this very moment, there are millions of computers worldwide affected by ad-supported software like Shield+ browser. This indicates that if a cyber-criminal can cause a browser redirect to a 100 affected computers by the same ad-supported application and this redirect has malicious code in it, there will be a botnet of 100 devices under his/her control, including your computer.
Remove Shield+ Browser Completely
Before taking any steps towards removing the software, in case you have decided to, you should make sure you backup all your files and change all your passwords from another device. Then it is highly recommended to follow the below mentioned removal steps to effectively get rid of this unwanted software from your computer, without having to reinstall your operating system. After the removal is complete, we also advise renewing your registry entries.
Delete Shield+ from Windows and Your Browser
Remove Shield+ automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Shield+ from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Shield+ with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Shield+ 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:
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Shield+ 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ (Windows).
Get rid of Shield+ from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Shield+ 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 Shield+. 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Shield+, 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 Shield+ (Mac)
Remove Shield+ 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ will be removed.
Eliminate Shield+ 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".
Shield+-FAQ
What Is Shield+?
The Shield+ 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 Shield+?
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 Shield+?
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 Shield+ Work?
Once installed, Shield+ 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.
Shield+ 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 Shield+ 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 Shield+ Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Shield+ 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 Shield+?
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 Shield+ threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.