How to remove Abrasive PUP from PC

Simple steps to delete Abrasive PUP effectively

Abrasive PUP is described as potentially unwanted application that is endorsed as a tool for running operating system diagnostics and fixing various issues/problems. This app supposedly claims to enhance device operation speed and also removing registry errors. However, this may seem to be legitimate but security experts have found it to be fake program. Thus, due to its improper infiltration methods, it is considered to be potentially unwanted program.

Moreover, its distribution techniques are not uncommon for ordinary software however they are mostly used to infiltrate unreliable content. In short, certain PUAs require activation to perform their advertised functionalities. However, after being purchased this software usually remain nonoperational. Additionally, Abrasive PUP also has the ability to deliver intrusive advertisements campaigns. Those ads are in form of pop-up ads, commercial ads, coupons, discounts, offers and other similar adverts.

Once clicked, redirect you to untrustworthy websites or stealthily download and install software by executing malicious scripts. Another type called a browser hijacker that is used to modify browser settings in order to promote fake search engine. What’s more, most PUAs have data tracking abilities. They monitor users browsing habits and collect information including IP address, URLs search, visited websites and other similar details.

Afterwards, all recorded data are shared with third parties who misuse those details in order to generate revenue as much as possible. Presence of unwanted apps like Abrasive PUP on computer might cause system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. So, to keep computer harmless and secured, removal of suspicious applications and browser extensions is mandatory.

How did potentially unwanted applications install?

Some PUAs like Abrasive PUP have official promotional pages through which they can be downloaded. However, developers behind this use download and installation setup of other software to spread PUA. This misleading marketing method of pre-packing regular products with unreliable or malicious content is called software bundling. What’s worse, information about such programs is hidden behind custom or advance options of installation processes. Thus, users rush and skip all those available settings unchanged and unintentionally allowed bundled programs to get install into the computer. So, you are advised to be very careful while downloading and installing any software.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

It is highly recommended to research about content before downloading and installing it. All downloads should be done by using official websites and via direct download links. Other untrustworthy channels like third party downloader, unofficial pages, free file hosting sites, peer to peer sharing networks and other similar tools as they can offer deceptive or bundled content.

Further, it is recommended not to click on ads that are displayed on dubious pages as they open various harmful websites. While installing, always pay close attention and use custom or advance settings of installation processes. Moreover, if you’re PC is already infected with PUAs like Abrasive PUP, then we recommend you to follow given below removal instructions or use some reliable antivirus removal tool.

Short summary

Name: Abrasive PUP

Threat Type: PUP, PUA

Functionality: system speed optimization and error removal

Description: Abrasive arrives as a freeware that is likely to show fake scan reports. Further encouraging users to buy it.

Symptoms: A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about ‘found issues’. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors.

Distribution methods: Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications, torrent file downloads and many more.

Damage: Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections, slow system performance, unwanted warning pop-ups.

Removal: In order to remove Abrasive PUP, we recommend our users to use some reliable anti-malware removal tool such as Spyhunter.  

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Abrasive PUP:

Remove the related items of Abrasive PUP using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Abrasive PUP issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Abrasive PUP) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Abrasive PUP removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Abrasive PUP still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Abrasive PUP plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Abrasive PUP removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Abrasive PUP (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.