This is a post, created to explain what is the unwanted Google Chrome extension, going by the name ScriptGate and how to remove it from your computer.
A Google Extension, known as ScriptGate has recently become popular due to performing unwanted activities on the computer on which it has been installed. Since the app is installed without user permissions, it is most likely done in order to perform unwanted actions, like displaying advertisement, collecting information or causing browser redirects. In addition to this, the suspicious extension may also install other adware and even lead to malicious websites, which is the main reason why the removal of ScriptGate is advisable. If you have detected ScriptGate extension on Google Chrome, we reccomend you to read the following article in order to remove it completely.
Threat Summary
| Name | ScriptGate |
| Type | Browser Hijacker/PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to perform unwanted activities on the victim’s computer that often lead to malicious websites or other adware-infested websites. |
| Symptoms | The unwanted software displays different forms of advertisements that may slow down your computer system in a variety of ways. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads, suspicious software installers or other adware programs. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ScriptGate. |
ScriptGate – How Does It Spread
For ScriptGate to be installed on your browser, there may have been multiple different scenarios that likely led to that:
- You may have authorized it’s install by clicking “OK” on a fake prompt that popped up on your browser.
- You may have installed other adware unknowingly.
- You may have authorized the program to be installed along other third-party software.
The last one of those possible scenarios is known as software bundling and it is the main reason why you should always perform checks when you install a new program, especially if you have download it from a website that you haven’t visited beforehand. Such sites often add suspicious programs, like ScriptGate as “free extra” to the program that you are trying to download and install. The installation prompt is usually concealed within the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation mode of the setup Wizard. Such free programs only pretend to be helpful and added alongside, but they are often unwanted, since they participate in pay-per click and online advertising schemes, so caution is always advisable.
ScriptGate Chrome Extension – More Information
As soon as it has been added on your computer system, the ScriptGate extension for Google Chrome may begin it’s activities. For starters the suspicious extension may use several types of tracking technologies on your computer, such as:
- Cookies.
- Pixels.
- Tags.
- LSOs or Locally Shared Objects.
In addition to those, the suspicious browser extension may also only pretend to be a user script manager type of extension, but may heavily modify your web browser, preferably by changing your default home page and search engine to a hoax one.
The activities of ScriptGame may also include obtaining different information on your computer. Such data can be details about:
- Your online search history.
- Your browsing history.
- Your most often viewed websites.
- Programs installed on your computer.
- Network information about your computer system.
Such tracking technologies may be used by this suspicious browser extension in order to display to you different types of advertisements, most of which often include:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects to third-party sites.
- Taken over banner spaces.
- Suspicious add-supported search results.
- Other types of ads.
Furthermore, since the websites to which ScriptGate may redirect you without your explicit consent may be malicious and unwanted, it is often regarded as unsafe by security experts and it’s removal is strongly advisable.
How to Remove ScriptGate from Your Computer and Google Chrome
ScriptGate may do more than just create a browser extension on your computer. The suspicious browser extension may lead to more dangerous malware. While you can remove it by using the removal instructions that are manual at the bottom of this article, recommendations are to perform the removal automatically preferably by using an advanced anti-malware software in order to be perfectly secure your computer against all unwanted software and infections to which this PUP may have led you.
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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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
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- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove ScriptGate from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for ScriptGate with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate (Windows).
Get rid of ScriptGate from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate. 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ScriptGate, 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 ScriptGate (Mac)
Remove ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate will be removed.
Eliminate ScriptGate 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".
ScriptGate-FAQ
What Is ScriptGate?
The ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate?
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 ScriptGate?
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 ScriptGate Work?
Once installed, ScriptGate 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.
ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ScriptGate 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 ScriptGate?
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 ScriptGate threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.