How to remove eShield (Virus Removal Guide)
eShield (also searched for as eShield virus) is a malicious potentially unwanted program (PUP) and browser extension that is known to infiltrate a computer system and affected internet browser without user knowledge. Once eShield has been contracted it will read and change all your data on the websites you visit, communicate with your applications, and essentially change your browser settings including the homepage, new tab, and default search engine to search.eshield.com, search.yahoo.com, and other webpages.
The eShield program, eShield.com, and websites used to download the program such as mirror.mirror-files.com are flagged by reputable security firms, including Google. If you attempt to manually and voluntarily download eShield using Google Chrome browser you will be greeted by a phishing and malware protection webpage that stops you from downloading the program and says “This site ahead contains harmful programs.” If you continue to the website to download eShield, Google will block EshieldSetup.exe (the executable file used to install the program) and will say that the file may harm your browsing experience. The only way to download eShield manually is to override security settings that block eShield from accessing your computer.
- What is eShield?
- How to uninstall eShield
- How to remove eShield with Malwarebytes
- eShield removal tips
What is eShield?
eShield adware is typically promoted as a program and browser extension used to boost Chrome’s immune system against malicious websites. However, this has not been found to be true since Google Safe Browsing and the Google Chrome browser actually block websites associated with the eShield program and browser extension.
eShield adware is known to be intrusive. It displays ‘targeted’ style advertisements in order to produce advertisements it feels you are most likely to click on based off of your browsing habits. In order to produce ‘targeted’ style ads the adware will obtain access to your personal browsing data including your browser history, your bookmarks, application data, and much more.
RELATED: How to remove DeskBar (Virus Removal Guide)
eShield is not technically defined as a computer virus but this unwanted program is still a threat to your privacy and can be the sign of a severe malware infection. The internet security community strongly recommends that you remove eShield if you find it installed on your machine or attached to your internet browser as a browser add-on or extension and use reputable Antivirus or Anti-Malware software to eradicate any existing malicious files.
RELATED: How to remove Wajam (Virus Removal Guide)
eShield and programs like it are usually contracted without knowledge. eShield is often 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 eShield adware may bundle with includes freeware, shareware, and dubious torrent files.
- eShield bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and malware.
- eShield is usually bundled inside third-party freeware installers, download managers, and dubious torrent files.
- eShield injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
- eShield changes existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks allowing the adware to run every time Windows starts.
- The eShield extension for Google Chrome can read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
- The eShield extension for Google Chrome can communicate with cooperating native applications.
How to uninstall eShield
Windows
1. Open Windows Start/Task Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program (or Add and remove program) in the Programs section.
3. Search for eShield in the list of installed programs and select it with your mouse, then click Uninstall. You can also double click eShield to uninstall it.
[note align=”left”]If you do not find eShield in your list of installed program you may need to uninstall additional programs that may have bundled with it.[/note]
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the eShield extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the eShield add-on and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the eShield extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
How to remove eShield with Malwarebytes
1. 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 Malwarebytes[/button]
2. Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software once it has finished installing.
3. Make sure that Malwarebytes has been updated. To ensure it is updated click Update Now on the Dashboard.
4. Click the large Scan Now button on the dashboard to perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
5. 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.
eShield removal tips
- If you do not find eShield 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 eShield 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.