How to remove CouponBuddy (Adware Removal Guide)
How to remove CouponBuddy (Adware Removal Guide)
According to the top Antivirus and Anti-Malware products, such as AVG, BitDefender, F-Secure, ESET, Avast, McAfee, Panda, Symantec, VIPRE, and others, CouponBuddy (also searched for as CouponBuddy virus, Coupon Buddy) is adware, riskware, an unwanted application (PUA), and a trojan. Google Chrome will block CouponBuddy from installing, stating that it is a malicious file which may harm your computer. Every month more and more Antivirus and Anti-Malware vendors have included couponbuddy.exe in their database as a trojan, unwanted application, or adware. In less than a month the detection ratio for CouponBuddy has risen from 22/56 to 23/55 on virustotal.com. Ads displayed by this adware will usually say Ads by CouponBuddy, CouponBuddy Ads, or brought by CouponBuddy on them.
What is CouponBuddy?
CouponBuddy (developed by SGT.io – or other) is promoted as a free browser application which delivers deals, coupons and promotions to webpages you visit, eliminating the need to browse 3rd party coupon sites to find deals on the things you love. However, reputable Antivirus and Anti-Malware products, as well as Google have concluded that this application may harm your computer.
Potential CouponBuddy malware (depending which program you use to detect it) generates pop-up ads across Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Ads by CouponBuddy are defined as ‘targeted’ ads because they use your personal browsing information (including all your data on the websites you visit) to produce advertisements it feels you are most likely to click on. The adware basically ‘targets’ you and your current and past browsing habits.
CouponBuddy adware is not technically defined as a computer virus, but according to the top Antivirus and Anti-Malware vendors, as well as Google, this adware is still a threat to your privacy and can be the sign of a severe malware infection. The internet security community, alongside Google strongly recommend that you remove CouponBuddy if you find it installed on your machine or attached to your internet browser as a browser add-on or extension and to use reputable Antivirus or Anti-Malware software to eradicate any existing malicious files.
How did CouponBuddy get on my computer?
Applications similar to CouponBuddy are usually contracted without end user knowledge. CouponBuddy can also be manually downloaded from the vendor’s website (although Google Chrome will block the ‘known standalone’ executable file from downloading). CouponBuddy is typically bundled inside third-party software downloaders and bundlers. It may arrive on a computer system once other programs have been introduced to the machine. Software that CouponBuddy adware may bundle with includes freeware, shareware, and dubious torrent files.
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- CouponBuddy injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
- Internet Browsers such as Google Chrome will block CouponBuddy from downloading stating “CouponBuddy.exe may harm your browsing experience, so Chrome has blocked it.”
- CouponBuddy has a very high detection ration. The top Antivirus and Anti-Malware programs will detect CouponBuddy as either adware, a trojan, riskware, or some type of unwanted application (source). On a side note, I have personally never seen an ad-supported application with such a high detection ratio.
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How to remove CouponBuddy adware
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- Option 1: Automatically remove CouponBuddy adware with Malwarebytes
- Option 2: Manually remove CouponBuddy
- Option 3: Call Tech Support 1-888-986-8411
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Option 1: Automatically remove CouponBuddy adware with Malwarebytes
1. We recommend that you write down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues while removing this infection. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems you may face.
2. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
[button link=”https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fdownloads.malwarebytes.org%2ffile%2fmbam%2f&redirecthash=79CD12ECAB939D32967B5D05C6C86E32″ align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#c71414″ hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”false”]Download “CouponBuddy” removal tool[/button]
3. Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software once it has finished installing.
4. Make sure that Malwarebytes has been updated. To ensure it is updated click Update Now on the Dashboard.
5. Click the large Scan Now button on the dashboard to perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
6. When the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and then click the Finish button or restart your computer if Malwarebytes suggests that you do so.
[note align=”left”]If you are still having issues removing CouponBuddy we suggest that use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3 to locate and remove any computer infection that may be present. You may also proceed to option 2 below and view our additional tips to remove CouponBuddy.[/note]
Option 2: Manually remove CouponBuddy
How to uninstall CouponBuddy
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program (or Add and remove program) in the Programs section.
3. Search for CouponBuddy in the list of installed programs and select it with your mouse, then click Uninstall. You can also double click CouponBuddy to uninstall it.
[note align=”left”]If you do not find CouponBuddy in your list of installed program you may need to uninstall additional programs that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove CouponBuddy below.[/note]
How to remove CouponBuddy add-ons and extensions
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the CouponBuddy extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the CouponBuddy add-on and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the CouponBuddy extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
[note align=”left”]If you do not find CouponBuddy in your list of add-ons and extensions you may need to remove additional attachments that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove CouponBuddy below.[/note]
CouponBuddy virus removal tips
- If you do not find CouponBuddy in your list of installed programs you may need to uninstall additional programs. Additional programs may include suspicious titles that may have been contracted around the same time or after the initial infection.
- If you are still having issues removing CouponBuddy you should use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3. HitmanPro 3 is the best second opinion scan and removal tool. It can be used to locate and remove remaining threats.
- If you need help our tech support team is standing by 24 hours a day. You can reach tech support at: 1-888-986-8411