What’s the Toolbarservice.freecause.com redirection virus?
The Toolbarservice.freecause.com redirection virus is a symptom of a toolbar created by Freecause.com that is used to collect information about the user/victim, and in turn create revenue streams for unknown third parties. The Toolbarservice.freecause.com redirection virus is adware and spyware categorized as a browser hijacker because Freecause creates browser helper objects that are capable of hijacking unsuspecting internet user’s browsers Home Page (start up) and Provided Search Engine (internal, address bar search).
Freecause is known to install applications, BHOs, software, etc. such as the Affinity Toolbar. These toolbars are used to trace, track, and collect internet user activity. The information collected is definitely shared with third parties which may consist of malicious groups associated with cyber criminal activity involving credit theft, extortion, and identity theft.
These unwanted installments by Freecause are reported to be initiated without permission. In turn this causes negative effects on internet browser and computer functions and productivity. Searches and URLS typed into an infected browser’s address bar redirect to Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other websites associated with Freecause.com. You may also notice your browser only briefly connect with toolbarservice.freecause.com before being redirected through to a third party webpage.
What is Freecause.com?
FreeCause is a marketing firm headquartered in Boston (Massachusetts, USA) that develops platforms for third parties to use to enhance revenue such as the Affinity Toolbar, Web Search Feed, Rewards Shopping Mall, and E-Commerce Browser Object. Freecause claims to offer a comprehensive portfolio of market-leading technology and expertise that allows organizations to build lasting, profitable relationships with their customers and supporters.
They claim to have more than 20 million subscribers, but with their platforms being essentially legal adware/spyware tools, most of the subscribers are not acquired voluntarily. One assumes most of Freecause.com’s subscribers don’t even acknowledge what Freecause is, who their clients and sponsors are, or that they are individually subscribed to a marketing list created by Freecause, which is used to strictly create revenue streams for third parties (and of course themselves), via annoying, malicious tools.
How can you get infected with the Freecause virus?
There are several ways to become infected with the Freecause virus, or in other words comply with the Freecause marketing platform without consent (if that makes sense). The Freecause redirection virus may have been contracted while unknowingly visiting a website hosting downloadable files, including cookies and/or malware. In turn these websites prepare a computer system and internet browser to eventually accommodate their third party network.
1. Anti-Malware Software (Remove/Troubleshoot Malware)
Malwarebytes is the most recommended Antivirus – Anti-Malware software used to scan, detect, and remove malware including browser hijackers such as the Toolbarservice.freecause.com virus and other adware/spyware platforms. View other Antivirus recommendations. If malware has been detected and removed, repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines if needed to stop redirections.
2. System Restore (Remove/Troubleshoot Malware)
Perform a system restore to an automatic restore point created by Window’s each week or during system updates. This can be very helpful if you suspect a severe malware or virus infection. Once complete, repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines if necessary to stop redirections. This can also be used to remove applications and programs from your system. Note, Microsoft creates restore points when once a new program has been introduced to a system.
3. Uninstall Applications/Programs – If Necessary
In some cases browser hijackers use applications/clients/programs to affect internet browser settings and allow their BHOs to remain unmovable. If this is the case with Toolbarservice.freecause.com, use the instructions below to search for any unwanted program affecting your browser and system without permission. Some of Freecause.com’s products are called Affinity Toolbar, Web Search Feed, Rewards Shopping Mall, and E-Commerce Browser Object.
1. Access Window’s Start Menu and select Control Panel
2. Select Uninstall a program or Add and remove programs
3. Search for malicious and suspicious programs, don’t remove any necessary programs (check online first). Once a malicious and/or suspicious program has been found, double click it to uninstall it or select it and click the Uninstall button.
4. Remove Add-ons, Extensions, Toolbars
Toolbarservice.freecause.com most likely installed a Toolbar on your system if it’s the exact URL you are looking to remove. Then again, Freecause has many platforms used by their third party clients and criminals can also take advantage of these tools, therefore Freecause browser objects may not be the peak of your infection.
The name for Freecause add-ons, extensions, and Toolbars may consist of their products such as Affinity Toolbar, Web Search Feed, Rewards Shopping Mall, and E-Commerce Browser Object. If you find any of these attached to your browser, remove them immediatly.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Add-ons. (Ctrl+Shift+A)
2. On the Extensions and Plugin tabs search for any suspicious add-ons and remove them.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for any suspicious add-ons and remove them.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Wrench or 3 bar icon next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for any suspicious extensions and remove them by clicking the trash can icon next to them.
5. Repair Home Page
How to remove Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other websites from your home page.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. On the General tab remove Toolbarservice.freecause.com and click Restore to Default or add you preferred URL.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Internet Options.
2. On the General tab remove Toolbarservice.freecause.com and click Restore to Default or add your preferred URL.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Wrench or 3 bar icon next to the address bar and select Settings.
2. Under the On startup section click Set pages.
3. Click the X next to Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other unwanted websites, then add or keep your preferred URL.
6. Repair Provided Search Engines
How to stop redirecting to Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other websites.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click the small search arrow or magnify glass near the search bar at the top of the internet browser.
2. Select Manage search engines…
3. Select Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other unwanted search websites, then click remove. Toolbarservice.freecause.com, etc. could be set as default or listed under Other search engines.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. Navigate to the Search Providers list.
3. Select Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other unwanted search website, then click the Remove button.
Google Chrome
1. Click the 3 bar or wrench settings icon and select Settings.
2. In the Search section select the Manage search engines… button.
3. Remove Toolbarservice.freecause.com and other unwanted search websites by clicking the X next to it when selected.
If an unwanted website is set as the default search engine, add and chose another search engine (such as Google.com) as a default engine by selecting it (Google.com) and clicking the “make default” transparent blue box that appears shown in the image below.
7. Clear Cache And Cookies
If you visited a website such as toolbarservice.freecause.com or through the freecause.com network and fear you and your data is being traced, tracked, and used against your consent it is recommended to delete your browser data. Toolbarservice.freecause.com, freecause.com, and other websites load cookie files onto computer system allowing the websites to collect, store, and track information such as browser activity and system information. You can remove your browser cache and cookie files in your browser’s preference or settings options.
Thanks Sean. I tried many times in vain to get rid of freecause and your advice was the only thing that worked.
How To Remove The http://t.co/7gSJObdb Redirection Virus (Freecause Virus) And Browser Hijacker http://t.co/w4klunpz