How to remove Shopper-Z (Virus Removal Guide)

Shopper-Z (shopper-z virus, shopper z) is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware that serves deceptive pop-up and targeted advertisements across Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari internet browsers. Advertisements generated by by Shopper-Z adware will usually say “Ad by shopper-z” or “brought by shopper-z” on them.

Shopper-Z virus

What is Shopper-Z?

Shopper-Z, alike most adware is promoted as a free web tool and utility that can help internet users find discounts and deals online. These programs may be classified as shopping assistant applications. Antivirus and Anti-Malware databases will include this particular adware in the generic.adware and plugin.adware categories. This adware can be found as a Windows program in the Control Panel or as a browser attachment. This adware platform can also utilize various unknown third-party programs and attachments to generate advertisements that usually say “Ad by shopper-z” or “brought by shopper-z” on them (shown in images below).

Ad by shopper-z

Shopper-Z serves ‘targeted’ advertisements to users while they browse the internet. This is a privacy concern because targeted advertisements can only be produced by the adware if it has access to user browsing data, such as  all browsing activities, bookmarks, app data, and browser history. This information is observed and used to generate advertisements it feels users are most likely to click on.

brought by shopper-z

Furthermore, Shopper-Z bundles with additional unwanted programs, malware, and other possible malicious threats. This means that it might be necessary to uninstall multiple programs from Windows and remove multiple browser add-ons and extensions from Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Many of these programs can not easily be found on a computer system without third-party security software.

Third-party programs and malware that can bundle with Shopper-Z adware will cause other issues aside from pop-up advertisements. Other issues include unwanted browser redirections to sponsored webpages, like Jogostempo.com, decreased computer productivity, and decreased internet speed.

Shopper-Z adware and the additional programs that it bundles with also manufacture new tasks and change existing Windows start-up settings in order to run every time the operating system starts and remain enabled if disabled by the user. Programs and browser attachments that may arrive with this deceptive piece of adware can also cause other issues for computer and internet users aside from pop-up advertisements, including browser redirections and a loss in computer functionality and internet connectivity. Furthermore, if Shopper-Z is manually removed, it is possibly that the adware or another one in its place will return before a week has passed.

How did Shopper-Z get on my computer?

Shopper-Z adware can be automatically contracted without consent or knowledge of the computer user through third-party programs and files that have remained undetected on the infected computer system. The potentially unwanted programs and files that deliver the adware are usually contracted without user consent alongside freeware, shareware, torrent files, and other free downloadable content.

Additionally, computer and internet users who seek to download and install free programs and files online may be presented with an opportunity to accept or decline a ‘custom’ offer to install Shopper-Z adware and other programs during the setup and installation process. However, the request to decline Shopper-Z adware from installing is often presented in a very confusing manner. In some cases, the download manager may completely ignore the user request to decline Shopper-Z from installing and the adware will install against user consent and knowledge.

[fancy_box title=”Shopper-Z overview”]

  • The Shopper-Z extension can read and change all your data on the websites you visit and read and change your browsing history.
  • The Shopper-Z extension can manage your apps, extensions, downloads, and themes.
  • Shopper-Z bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and possible malware.
  • Shopper-Z is usually packed inside installers and downloaders from websites such as download.com, Softonic, and others.
  • Shopper-Z injects visited webpages with pop-up, in-text, and in-image advertisements.
  • Shopper-Z makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts and check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program is disabled it will enable itself to run.

[/fancy_box]

How to remove Shopper-Z (Removal Guide)

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Step 1: Remove Shopper-Z extensions

We recommend that you write down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues or problems while removing this infection. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems.

1-888-986-8411
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Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon on the top menu and navigate to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the Shopper-Z extension in the list. Remove unwanted browser extensions individually by clicking the trashcan icon next to each one.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. Search for the Shopper-Z add-ons on the Extensions and Plugin tab. Highlight each one individually and click remove.

Apple Safari

1. Click Safari and go to Preferences > Extensions.

2.  Find the Shopper-Z extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.

Step 2: Uninstall Shopper-Z from Windows

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. On Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program in the Programs section.

3. Search for Shopper-Z and other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs. Once an unwanted program is located, double click the item or select it with your mouse and click the Uninstall button. If you can not find this program in the list of installed program please see steps 3 and 4 below.

Step 3: Remove Shopper-Z virus with Malwarebytes

1. Download and install the free or full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The full version enables real-time protection to block malware and unwanted programs from infecting your computer, while the free version is just a free scan and removal tool.

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2. Open the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.

Malwarebytes

3. Click the large Scan Now button or visit the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan.

Malwarebytes 2

4. When the malware scan is complete, click the Remove Selected button and reboot your computer.

If you are still having issues with malware it is recommended to download and install a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro by Surfright to eradicate existing malicious files and automatically repair corrupted settings.

Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner

1. Download and install the free or full version of CCleaner by Piriform.

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2. Open the program and go to Cleaner and click the Analyze button. After files and have been analyzed, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

3. Go to Registry and click Scan for Issues. When the scan is complete click Fix selected issues… and then click the Fix All Selected Issues button.

CCleaner startup

4. Go to to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from Windows, Internet Explorer, all the way to Context Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click  Delete once anything suspicious is found to remove it.

If you are still experiencing issues removing potential Shopper-Z malware after using this removal guide we recommend to perform a system restore/recovery or a reset/refresh for Windows 8.

Sean Doyle

Sean is a distinguished tech author and entrepreneur with over 20 years of extensive experience in cybersecurity, privacy, malware, Google Analytics, online marketing, and various other tech domains. His expertise and contributions to the industry have been recognized in numerous esteemed publications. Sean is widely acclaimed for his sharp intellect and innovative insights, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the tech community. His work not only advances the field but also helps businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of the digital world.

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