Rebate Informer virus – Toolbar
The Rebate Informer virus (also found as Rebate Blast virus, Rebate Informer Toolbar, Rebate Informer pop-ups; though not technically a computer virus) is potential malware categorized as adware and a browser hijacker that changes existing internet browser settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, and displays unwanted advertisements including Rebate Informer pop-up ads, banner ads, in-text adverts, drop-down coupon ads, and more. Rebate Informer pop-up and drop-down advertisements often appear when users visit retail websites such as Walmart.com, ebay.com, and others that contain enough content to allow the program to target keywords and other data in order to display potentially relative advertisements and send email spam.
Rebate Informer adware installs to a Microsoft Windows computer and attaches to the previously mentioned internet browsers as a standalone browser add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension possibly titled Rebate Informer Toolbar, and/or bundled inside third-party browser items or software. Once an item used to promote RebateInformer malware is installed, it will begin to replace existing internet browser settings and will display a pop-up that says “Welcome to Rebate Informer – Shop and Save Big Bucks… – Get 1,000’s of Cash Back Rebate offers from online stores…” In reality Rebate Informer primarily sends users spam email and sponsored offers.
Rebate Informer adware has the potential to collect all computer activity and information about every website visited. Information collected includes your full name, home address, telephone number, email address, and more. Victims of this particular malware infection have complained of unwanted email spam, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers often relating to recent internet browsing activity.
The Rebate Informer virus (though not technically a computer virus) and related third-party malware may collect and distribute sensitive information users manually submit into online forms and offers including online purchase information. In rare cases, victims of the Rebate Informer hijacker are at risk of credit theft, extortion, identity theft, and other crimes.
During an experiment similar software was installed and a purchase was made to a rogue online website. Within a week we received numerous phone calls from scam artists masquerading as credit card companies claiming the purchase we made online was fraudulent and they needed to extract additional information. If this happens to you, hang up and write down details about the phone call in the future. It is also recommended to contact your credit or bank intuition for further safety instructions.
Rebate Informer malware may bundle with third-party items including Conduit Toolbar, and others that may cause unwanted browser redirections to websites such as ask.com, and conduit.com.
How does Rebate Informer adware get onto a computer?
Rebate Informer Toolbar can be manually and voluntarily downloaded from questionable websites; however, most users complain that Rebate Informer Toolbar installed without consent causing unwanted advertisements and other issues.
In most cases Rebate Informer software or software used to generate unwanted advertisementss bundles with suspicious third-party freeware and shareware. Users may be given the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install adware, but the request to deny the installation is often ignored or presented in a very confusing manner.
How to remove Rebate Informer adware
- Automatically remove Rebate Informer adware – Scan for and automatically remove Rebate Informer and third-party malware
- Manually remove Rebate Informer – Remove/Uninstall Rebate Informer software and third-party malware (if necessary)
1. Automatic Rebate Informer removal
Use the instructions below to automatically remove Rebate Informer adware and third-party malware, as well as automatically remove unwanted search engines from your installed internet browsers.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, make sure to do so.
3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting the computer system.
4. Once the malware scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a notice stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected) or click the Delete button to remove quarantined files.
CCleaner
CCleaner can be used to automatically repair internet browser settings startup up settings, and uninstall Rebate Informer adware and associated third-party software.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found.
4. To automatically uninstall Rebate Informer, Rebate Informer Toolbar, and other unwanted programs, navigate to the Uninstall tab and search for Rebate Informer, etc. in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the unwanted software as selected by clicking the Run Uninstaller button.
2. Manual Rebate Informer removal
Use the instructions below to manually uninstall Rebate Informer adware and third-party software using generic Microsoft Windows removal procedures.
How to uninstall Rebate Informer
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.
3. In the list of installed programs search for Rebate Informer, Rebate Informer Toolbar, and other potentially unwanted software that may generate advertisements. Once located, double click the unwanted programs or highlight them in the list and click the Uninstall button.
How to remove Rebate Informer Toolbar add-ons and extensions
Use the instructions to remove Rebate Informer Toolbar add-ons and extensions. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party items.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Rebate Informer Toolbar extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Rebate Informer Toolbar add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Rebate Informer Toolbar add-on and remove it if located.
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