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How do I get rid of this Better Surf Ads thing?

  • 19 replies
  • 93 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by AliceWyman

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This thing keeps opening up popups and distorts the webpage I'm reading. I have AdBlock, but, somehow this got through. How do I disable this thing?

Thanks!

This thing keeps opening up popups and distorts the webpage I'm reading. I have AdBlock, but, somehow this got through. How do I disable this thing? Thanks!

Chosen solution

hello JimFolmar, this sounds like an issue caused by adware already active on your pc.

please go to firefox > addons > extensions & remove any suspicious entries (toolbars, things that you have not installed intentionally, don't know what purpose they serve, etc). also go to the windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there and run a full scan of your system with the security software that you have in place and different other tools like the free version of malwarebytes & adwcleaner.

Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

Read this answer in context 👍 18

All Replies (19)

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Chosen Solution

hello JimFolmar, this sounds like an issue caused by adware already active on your pc.

please go to firefox > addons > extensions & remove any suspicious entries (toolbars, things that you have not installed intentionally, don't know what purpose they serve, etc). also go to the windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there and run a full scan of your system with the security software that you have in place and different other tools like the free version of malwarebytes & adwcleaner.

Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

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Thanks! I disabled it from firefox>addons>extensions. I'm not sure how to completely get it off of my computer. I have it disabled, but, not sure how to completely delete if from my computer.

You wrote "go to windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there." I'm not sure what to do about remove all toolbars. I don't see an option for that.

Thanks for your help!!

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no, you'd have to have a look through all entries and judge for yourself which of the software might be unnecessary or adware. if you feel unsure about that please run a scan with the two security tools i've mentioned nevertheless!

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It would be great if you could post some more information so that Mozilla could try to block this extension (the Extension ID is needed to do that). Please do the following:

  • Click the Firefox button at the top left, then click the Help menu and select Troubleshooting Information from the submenu. Now, a new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
  • At the top of the page, you should see a button that says "Copy text to clipboard". Click it.
  • Now, go back to your forum post and click inside the reply box. Press Ctrl+V to paste all the information you copied into the forum post.

If you need further information about the Troubleshooting information page, please read the article Use the Troubleshooting Information page to help fix Firefox issues.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Application Basics


Name: Firefox Version: 25.0 User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:25.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/25.0

Extensions


Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.4 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}

Name: BetterSurf Version: 1.0 Enabled: true ID: xz123@ya456.com

Name: DivX Browser Bar Version: 10.22.3.518 Enabled: true ID: {77e8143b-6759-416e-b521-82cfed75150b}

Name: McAfee SiteAdvisor Version: 3.6.4 Enabled: true ID: {4ED1F68A-5463-4931-9384-8FFF5ED91D92}

Name: AVG Security Toolbar Version: 17.1.2.1 Enabled: false ID: avg@toolbar

Name: HP Smart Web Printing Version: 4.60 Enabled: false ID: smartwebprinting@hp.com

Name: Simple Adblock Version: 1.0.8 Enabled: false ID: simpleadblock@wips.com

Name: SmartPrintButton Version: 1.0 Enabled: false ID: quickprint@hp.com

Name: StartNow Toolbar Version: 2.5.0 Enabled: false ID: {5911488E-9D1E-40ec-8CBB-06B231CC153F}

Important Modified Preferences


browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size_cached_value: 358400 browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 4 browser.search.useDBForOrder: true browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20131025151332 browser.startup.homepage: http://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch#|http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/|https://fms.publicpartnerships.com/PPLPortal browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20131025151332 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 25.0 dom.mozApps.used: true dom.w3c_touch_events.expose: false extensions.lastAppVersion: 25.0 gfx.direct3d.checkDX10: false gfx.direct3d.last_used_feature_level_idx: 1 keyword.URL: http://search.conduit.com/ResultsExt.aspx?ctid=CT3288691&SearchSource=2&CUI=UN36666906141149930&UM=2&q= network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1384475743 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true plugin.state.npconduitfirefoxplugin: 2 plugin.state.npmcffplg: 2 plugin.state.np-mswmp: 2 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_bgcolor: false print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_bgimages: false print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_colorspace: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_command: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_downloadfonts: false print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_duplex: 1577058303 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_edge_bottom: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_edge_left: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_edge_right: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_edge_top: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_evenpages: true print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_footercenter: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_footerleft: &PT print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_footerright: &D print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_headercenter: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_headerleft: &T print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_headerright: &U print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_in_color: true print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_margin_bottom: 0.5 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_margin_left: 0.5 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_margin_right: 0.5 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_margin_top: 0.5 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_oddpages: true print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_orientation: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_page_delay: 50 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_data: 1 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_height: 11.00 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_name: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_size_type: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_size_unit: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_paper_width: 8.50 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_plex_name: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_resolution: -16384000 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_resolution_name: print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_reversed: false print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_scaling: 1.00 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_shrink_to_fit: true print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_to_file: false print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_unwriteable_margin_bottom: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_unwriteable_margin_left: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_unwriteable_margin_right: 0 print.printer_HP_Photosmart_5520_series_(Network).print_unwriteable_margin_top: 0 privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true security.csp.enable: false storage.vacuum.last.index: 1 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1383081742

user.js Preferences


Your profile folder contains a user.js file, which includes preferences that were not created by Firefox.

Graphics


Adapter Description: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Adapter Drivers: nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM: 1024 Device ID: 0x0614 Direct2D Enabled: true DirectWrite Enabled: true (6.2.9200.16571) Driver Date: 10-23-2013 Driver Version: 9.18.13.3165 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 4/4 Direct3D 10 Vendor ID: 0x10de WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: false AzureCanvasBackend: direct2d AzureContentBackend: direct2d AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0

JavaScript


Incremental GC: true

Accessibility


Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0

Library Versions


NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.1 Version in use: 4.10.1

NSS Expected minimum version: 3.15.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.2 Basic ECC

NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.15.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.2 Basic ECC

NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.15.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.2 Basic ECC

NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.15.2 Version in use: 3.15.2

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Thanks for the information.

BetterSurf has been added to the Mozilla Blocklist. Ref: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/blocked/i486

You will also need to check your other browsers for this addon. To remove it from your computer, install and run each of the malware removal tools listed in this article, which also lists some specialized malware removal forums, if you need more help:

Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

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Better Surf is disabled but I still get ads. Question is (and I really hope you don't block this), why does FireFox only have a 'disable' option? Chrome not only allows you to disable but also 'remove from Chrome' option. Why are Add-ons only one-way with FF. Please give me "Add-off" or more simply, "delete"!

Follow Up: I ended up getting my solution at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrJLGa7JVZA Manual uninstall of Better Surf (Windows)

Modified by BeachApe

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You asked why Firefox doesn't offer the option to remove this extension. Extensions that can't be removed using the Firefox Add-ons -> Extensions list are likely those installed from locations outside of the Firefox program profiles folder. See Cannot remove an add-on (extension or theme) for other ways to uninstall the extension. In the case of BetterSurf, see these pages:

Run all of the malware removal tools listed in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article. Also look for a BetterSurf program in your Windows Control Panel list of installed programs to see if you can remove it from there.

There's a proposal to add an "uninstall" option for these types of extensions but it will just hide the extension, not actually remove it. If you're interested, see: Bug 640775 - Allow a form of uninstalling add-ons installed globally by third-party applications or system administrators

Modified by AliceWyman

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Yes, I see the problem Re: "There's a proposal to add an "uninstall" option for these types of extensions but it will just hide the extension, not actually remove it."

I mentioned the 'remove from Chrome' option and that's exactly what happened - only hidden. The BetterSurf malware resided in it's own folder so I'm sure this adds a new problem to having browsers deleting files and folders not of their own making.

I much preferred the link I gave above rather than wait for other softwares to catch up with updates to remove such, and I think all round postings useful. Of course there are those who like software to do their tasks for them, but I think people who come this far (a forum for DIY's) who would like to see the manual method above. A get-r-done fix.

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Todos os cliques que dou na internet abrem esta página: http://jsn.donecore.net/sd/cpops-1.2.0.html?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjsn.donecore.net%2Fsd%2Fapps%2Ffusionx%2F0.0.4.html%3Faff%3D4300-1007&p=BetterSurf Não consigo fazer nada, já bloqueei tudo dela, mas continua abrindo em branco. Isso está se disseminando pelo Youtube, o que posso fazer?

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CelyVelloso,, I used translate.google.com and it looks like you also need help with "Ads by BetterSurf". Try the same "Chosen solution" given above.

The forum rules say, For support requests, do not re-use existing threads started by others, even if they are seemingly on the same subject.

In other words, if you need more help, please ask a new question. You can use this link: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new

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Tired of all these toolbars and unnecessary plugins, just completely resetting my browser - Link to Bettersurf removal guide that links to SpyHunter Installer.exe from enigmasoftware removed by moderator. SpyHunter is questionable software (ref.1 - ref 2.). aw

Modified by AliceWyman

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I would recommend watching and following the instructions on the You Tube video I posted above rather than following that removal guide for 3 reasons;

1. Don't install programs to get rid of programs. You're no further ahead. 2. Better Surf does not come up in the Control Panel for deletion. 3. Clicking disable in browser settings only hides it from view - it is NOT off your system.

Lastly, following the video is simple and is the only true method of getting BetterSurf off your system.

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I removed the link that posted earlier today to a Bettersurf removal guide. That guide includes a download link for SpyHunter Installer.exe from enigmasoftware which is questionable software that charges a fee before it actually removes malware, and may be difficult to remove ( ref.1 - ref.2).

For recommended malware removal tools, see Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.

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In Windows: Goto <Control Panel> Goto <Programs and Features> Uninstall <Better Surf>

That was the solution for me. Good luck

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Já resolvi o problema, desinstalei o navegador e reinstalei. Além de desinstalar o Better Surf. Obrigada pela atenção!

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Application Basics


Name: Firefox Version: 26.0 User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.2; WOW64; rv:26.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/26.0

Extensions


Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.4 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}

Name: BetterSurf Plus V1 Version: 1.1 Enabled: true ID: ext@bettersurfplusv1.com

Name: DVDVideoSoftTB Version: 10.22.5.510 Enabled: true ID: {872b5b88-9db5-4310-bdd0-ac189557e5f5}

Name: GetSavin Version: 5.0 Enabled: true ID: getsavin@jetpack

Name: McAfee SiteAdvisor Version: 3.6.4 Enabled: true ID: {4ED1F68A-5463-4931-9384-8FFF5ED91D92}

Name: Norton Toolbar Version: 2013.4.5.2 Enabled: true ID: {2D3F3651-74B9-4795-BDEC-6DA2F431CB62}

Name: Norton Vulnerability Protection Version: 12.0.4.5 - 1 Enabled: true ID: {BBDA0591-3099-440a-AA10-41764D9DB4DB}

Name: We-Care App Version: 4.1.23.4 Enabled: true ID: wecarereminder@bryan

Name: Better-Surf Version: 1.1 Enabled: false ID: 12x3q@3244516.com

Name: DivX Plus Web Player HTML5

Name: Webexp Enhanced Version: 1.1 Enabled: false ID: ext@WebexpEnhancedV1alpha264.net

Name: WhiteSmoke New Version: 10.23.0.822 Enabled: false ID: {739df940-c5ee-4bab-9d7e-270894ae687a}

Important Modified Preferences


accessibility.typeaheadfind.flashBar: 0 browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size_cached_value: 358400 browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 4 browser.privatebrowsing.autostart: true browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20131205075310 browser.startup.homepage: facebook.com browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20131205075310 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 26.0 dom.mozApps.used: true dom.w3c_touch_events.expose: false extensions.lastAppVersion: 26.0 gfx.direct3d.last_used_feature_level_idx: 0 gfx.direct3d.prefer_10_1: true keyword.URL: http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=A110US0&p= network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.protocol-handler.warn-external.dnupdate: false places.database.lastMaintenance: 1387669168 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104178 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true plugin.state.npconduitfirefoxplugin: 2 plugin.state.npmcffplg: 2 plugin.state.np-mswmp: 2 privacy.clearOnShutdown.cookies: false privacy.clearOnShutdown.downloads: false privacy.clearOnShutdown.formdata: false privacy.clearOnShutdown.history: false privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true privacy.sanitize.promptOnSanitize: false privacy.sanitize.sanitizeOnShutdown: true privacy.sanitize.timeSpan: 0 security.csp.enable: false security.OCSP.enabled: 0 storage.vacuum.last.index: 1 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1387160864

user.js Preferences


Your profile folder contains a user.js file, which includes preferences that were not created by Firefox.

Graphics


Adapter Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics Adapter Drivers: igdumd64 igd10umd64 igd10umd64 igdumd32 igd10umd32 igd10umd32 Adapter RAM: Unknown Device ID: 0x0102 Direct2D Enabled: true DirectWrite Enabled: true (6.2.9200.16581) Driver Date: 7-31-2012 Driver Version: 9.17.10.2828 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 2/2 Direct3D 10 Vendor ID: 0x8086 WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Intel(R) HD Graphics Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: false AzureCanvasBackend: direct2d AzureContentBackend: direct2d AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0

JavaScript


Incremental GC: true

Accessibility


Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0

Library Versions


NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.2 Version in use: 4.10.2

NSS Expected minimum version: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC

NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC

NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.15.3.1 Basic ECC

NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.15.3.1 Version in use: 3.15.3.1

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sgeecuhh Your troubleshooting Extensions list shows:

BetterSurf Plus V1 Version: 1.1 Enabled: true ID: ext@bettersurfplusv1.com  

... you need to remove or disable the above in the Firefox Add-ons -> Extensions list and scan for malware (see Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware).

If you need more help you should ask a new question and include troubleshooting information, since this thread was for helping JimFolmar. Mozilla Support rules and guidelines: ... For support requests, do not re-use existing threads started by others, even if they are seemingly on the same subject. You can use this link to ask a new question: /questions/new

Since this question is solved, I closed the thread. aw

Modified by AliceWyman