PasswordBoss is the name of a program and browser extension that has been flagged by the cyber security community for utilizing possibly deceptive marketing practices. One of the dangers with PasswordBoss is that it may automatically install without user consent, collect personal data, and bundle with malware and other threats.
PasswordBoss is often promoted by third-party download managers and software bundlers as something it is not. It may be offered as a custom install which gives the user a chance to accept or decline a request to install the program. However, the request to decline the program from installing may be ignored by the download manager and software bundler which will cause this program to automatically install in the background.
Once PasswordBoss is installed users may experience a variety of unwanted symptoms such as a slow and sluggish computer, pop-up ads in the browser, and compromised browser settings. PasswordBoss will also create and schedule new tasks allowing it to run every times Windows starts. This can use a large amount of system resources.
Users who find PasswordBoss installed may also experience pop-up messages on Windows desktops in an attempt to persuade users to install Password Boss for Google Chrome extension or other compatible browser attachments.
Threat Details
| Names | PasswordBoss, PasswordBoss virus *This infection is not technically defined as a computer virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Publisher Description | N/A |
| Symptoms | Advertisements and sponsored search results in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | C:\Program Files (x86) C:\Users\{USER}\Downloads\ C:\Users\{USER}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\ |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
The PasswordBoss extension for Google Chrome has permission to read and change your data on the websites you visit, communicate with cooperating websites, manage your apps, extensions, and themes, and communicate with cooperating native applications.
PasswordBoss Removal Options
Manual Removal Guide
This manual PasswordBoss removal guide contains steps to help you completely remove PasswordBoss and other threats from your computer. In order to eradicate this threat please follow each step in order.
PasswordBoss Removal Steps
- Step 1: Uninstall PasswordBoss via Windows Control Panel
- Step 2: Remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions
- Step 3: Remove PasswordBoss and other threats with Malwarebytes
- Step 4: Remove PasswordBoss and existing threats with HitmanPro
- Step 5: Clean-up and repair settings with CCleaner
1. The first step to remove PasswordBoss is to uninstall the program from Windows Control Panel if there is a usable uninstall entry. To uninstall PasswordBoss go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program (or Add and Remove Programs) and search for PasswordBoss and other suspicious programs in the list. Once you have found PasswordBoss, double click it to begin the uninstall process. Repeat this step for any other suspicious programs you may have found.
2. The second step to remove PasswordBoss is to remove any unwanted browser add-ons and extensions that may have installed from each web browser on your computer.
| Google Chrome | Go to Customize and control Google Chrome > More Tools > Extensions |
| Mozilla Firefox | Go to Menu > Add-ons |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Go to Tools > Manage add-ons |
| Apple Safari | Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions |
3. The third step to remove PasswordBoss is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
4. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
5. Open Malwarebytes and click the large blue Scan Now button to begin a scan.
6. Once the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and Finish button afterwards. If Malwarebytes suggests that you restart your computer please do so.
7. The fourth step to remove PasswordBoss is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using HitmanPro; a reputable second-opinion scan and removal tool.
8. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
9. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
10. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button and then click the Reboot button. *To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
11. The fifth step to remove PasswordBoss is to clean-up and repair settings with CCleaner.
12. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
13. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
14. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
15. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
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