SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark Removal Manual

by Milena Dimitrova | October 14, 2015 | 0 Comments adware, PUP

SoccerInferno General Description Is SoccerInferno Dangerous?Should SoccerInferno Be Removed from the System?SoccerInferno/ PUP.Optional.MindSpark Removal Options

SoccerInferno is a toolbar that may appear useful and friendly to the football fan. However, according to our research, SoccerInferno is most likely developed by MindSpark Interactive Inc.

Name	SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark
Type	Adware, PUP
Short Description	The toolbar may be appealing to the football fan.
Symptoms	Advertisements, changes to the browser’s default settings.
Distribution Method	The official page, possibly – bundling.
Detection tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark

The company has been developing ad-supported software for years. Its close association with Ask.com is also not a secret to the public. After installing SoccerInferno and adding its toolbar to the browser, the user may notice that his search page is changed to Ask.com.

SoccerInferno General Description

SoccerInferno can be downloaded from its official website – www(dot)soccerinferno(dot)com. It may also be distributed in bundled installers. MindSpark has a rich portfolio and it won’t be surprising if some of the company’s products are distributed together.

What is bundling?

Software bundling is a term, which is not new to the online business. The practice is mostly applied for financial reasons. In the realm of online marketing, bundled installers may be deployed to generate pay-per-install income.
In terms of online security, the general opinion is that bundling is a primary cause of the infiltration of unwanted software.

Is SoccerInferno Dangerous?

Because of the features the SoccerInferno toolbar has, it may be defined as a potentially unwanted program (PUP or PUA). Here is a list of some of the activities the toolbar may initiate on the system:

SoccerInferno applies third-party cookies and pixel tags to the browser. The information aggregated by these tracking technologies can be given to third party partners for advertising and analytical reasons.
Information collected by the software provider may be provided to other companies within the IAC group of companies. User information may be shared with affiliate partners.
Advertisements may be generated, such as pop-ups and banners, and their appearance may interrupt the normal surfing habits of the user.

Should SoccerInferno Be Removed from the System?

Our research indicates that the toolbar is a potentially unwanted program, and as such, its removal is recommended. SoccerInferno can be detected by AV software as PUP.Optional.MindSpark. Being a part of MindSpark’s portfolio, the toolbar may also:

Read and change the user’s browsing history.
Read and change the user’s data on visited websites.
Manage the user’s downloads.
Manage the user’s apps, extensions and themes.

This is how the toolbar looks:

And once more – information aggregated by SoccerInferno may be given to a range of interested partners and affiliates. It’s only logical that the primary reason for data sharing is the display of tailored ad-sponsored content.

Please note that interacting with third party advertisements may not be safe at all. You may be redirected to unknown pages, employed for social engineering scams. If, for example, you land on a page, that prompts you to share your credit card credentials, you should immediately navigate away from the page and run an AV scanner.

SoccerInferno/ PUP.Optional.MindSpark Removal Options

As with most toolbars, SoccerInferno can be removed manually from the browser. To do so, you can follow the steps below the article. After SoccerInferno is removed, scanning the system may still be recommended. Remember that running a full system scan is essential, especially if you haven’t knowingly downloaded the toolbar. If this is your case, you have been experiences a bundled installation. As a result, potentially unwanted programs may be running in the background of your system, draining the resources of your machine.

Step 1: Remove/Uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC.
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark.

Step 2: Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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

Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu

Select SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark and click “Remove”

After SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

After SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’

Select SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Safari

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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark
Click ‘Uninstall’

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark will be removed.

Step 3: Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark associated objects.

NOTE! Substantial notification about the SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark threat: Manual removal of SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

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Guide 1: How to Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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 SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate SoccerInferno, PUP.Optional.MindSpark 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.