How to remove bytefence from PC?

Tutorial to delete bytefence permanently

bytefence is a legitimate security program that provides protection from PC infections such as spyware, malware and other severe threats. It has been developed by Byte Technologies and is available in free as well as paid version. However, the doubtful about this application is the strategy used by its developer for is distribution. Basically an unlawful software marketing technique called “Bundling” is used for its distribution.

When you download any software package, there is most likely to be an optional component that also gets downloaded along with the main program. So, with the help of bundling, the promoters can install any additional program as a hidden component in software packages. The third-party downloads sources such as Cnet, Softonic etc. often promotes products that have additional hidden programs with them.

The aim of promoting the products through bundling is to generate more sales for the paid products and services. In this case, when users see a sudden scan reports by bytefence, they get surprised and referred this activity as bytefence virus. Though this program is totally safe and is not malicious or resembles any kind of malware activity.

However, this is a fact that bytefence gets installed without user’s approval in many cases and hence the cyber-experts categorize it as a potentially unwanted program. On the other hand, even if you install bytefence on your own, it will change the default homepage of the browser to search.bytefence.com which is a severe browser-hijacker. While installing the bytefence, you will be prompted with a notification regarding this unwanted change in the browser settings.

If you don’t opt out the installation of additional files which is bytefence in this case, the browser notification to change the browser settings will surprise you.  It is very important for you to be attentive while installing any application and disable or opt out the additional files and payloads. There is high possibility of bytefence anti-malware or Search.bytefence.com browser-hijacker hidden under the advance/custom installation process.

Issues Related to Search.bytefence.com

This is a search-engine provider that Byefence promotes. This is not a legitimate search-engine and rather the cyber-experts consider it is a browser-hijacker. It makes unnecessary modifications in the browser settings and you may face several issues as mentioned below.

• Modifies the browser settings and forcefully downloads browser assistant that block the users to make any changes in the browser settings.
• The research reports confirms that search.bytefence is related to Trojan/Win32.AGeneric file which is a malware payload
• During the online browser session, you would notice continuous redirection of webpage to worthless and doubtful domains
• Additionally, it downloads payloads and installs cookies in order to track Online browsing activities
• Your personal data such as Online browsing pattern, banking credentials gets cheated and are shared with third-parties in exchange of financial benefits.

How to Avoid bytefence (Potentially Unwanted Programs)?

It is very important that you only download trusted programs in the work-station. Both the program as well as its download source should be legitimate. When eve you download any freeware or shareware or use any shared network for downloading programs, closely analyze each steps. Opt out any additional files that you notice while downloading the main program. Be very cautious. Always choose advance or custom installation method so that you can detect the hidden files and stop them from secretly getting installed. Use of shared network such as Bittorrent, eMule etc. should be avoided. Any kind of suspicious emails with attachments should not be interacted. Upgrade the security settings and use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get complete protection from malware in real-time.

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 bytefence:

Remove the related items of bytefence 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 bytefence 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 (bytefence) 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 bytefence 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 bytefence 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 bytefence 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 bytefence 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 bytefence (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.