How to remove Flash App+ (Simple Steps)

Complete removal guide to delete Flash App+ from computer

Flash App+ is also known as searchpowerapp.com redirect which is described as a browser hijacker. It operates by altering browser settings in order to promote fake search engine such as searchpowerapp.com. This notorious browser hijacker has been created and distributed by group of cyber criminals with an evil intention and wrong motives. However, it is categorized as potentially unwanted application or a browser hijacker because it is designed to promote illegitimate search engine by changing browsers settings. Additionally, it has data tracking abilities which are used to monitor browsing related information.

Further, browser hijackers are designed to target all well known and popular browsers such as Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, Opera and others. After successful installation, this hijacker assigns the addresses of their fake search engine as default search engine, homepage and new tab URL. Thus, whenever you try to open any new browsing tab or window or enter any search query into URL bar, you will get redirected to searchpowerapp.com. Therefore, it becomes impossible for users to recover the hijacked browser until the hijacker must be eliminated. Apart from this, as mentioned above that Flash App+ has data tracking abilities.

They collect users browsing related information such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed and many other similar details. This vulnerable data is likely shared with potent cyber criminals who misuse those details to generate revenue and performing other illegal online activities. This puts users at risks of problem related to privacy, browsing safety and even identity theft. Therefore, browser hijackers and other PUAs should never be downloaded and installed.

Short summary

Name: Flash App+

Type: Browser Hijacker

Functionality: It supposedly improves the browsing experience.

Promoted URL: searchpowerapp.com

Symptoms: Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings).

Distribution methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.

Removal: manual as well as automatic guidelines have been described below under this article.

How did PUAs install on my computer?

In most cases, people download and install browser hijackers when they click on deceptive advertisements or download various other programs without checking settings of their setups. It is very common that people get tricked into downloading and installing various PUAs when developers distribute them by using deceptive marketing method called bundling. In most cases, information about bundled apps is not disclosed properly and is hidden behind custom or advance settings of download/installation processes. However, many people install various software without checking and changing those settings and often download and install not only desired program but also PUA that was included in its setup. So, you are advised to be very cautious while downloading and installing any software especially freeware.

How to avoid installation of unwanted programs?

All software should be downloaded and installed from official websites. Other tools like third party installer, unofficial pages, free file hosting sites and other similar sources should be avoided. It is important to check settings of any download or installation setup and see if they mention any offers to download or install additionally included applications. Ads that are displayed on harmful websites should not click because they often open various untrustworthy pages or install unwanted software. If your system is already infected with Flash App+, then we recommend you to read the provided article and follow given below removal instructions.

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 Flash App+:

Remove the related items of Flash App+ 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 Flash App+ 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 (Flash App+) 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 Flash App+ 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 Flash App+ 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 Flash App+ 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 Flash App+ 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 Flash App+ (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.