Windows 10: How to remove en.softonic malware that appears on desktop periodically

A kind of malware has somehow gotten onto my win 10 PC. What I get is a small advertisment that pops up in the bottom right on my desktop... When I turn it off (clicking the corner X). It comes back again some time later but with different content.

I haven't timed it but seems lake maybe a 1/2 hr.

I've googled extensively but all the instructions I've found, tell you to use the windows uninstaller to uninstall softonic. And maybe some manual clean up after the uninstall. But there is nothing installed with `softonic' in its name and even when the ad is running there is no process running with softonic in its name.

All the google hits appear to assume the windows uninstaller will know about softonic. Even the manual parts of some of the hits appear to assume you have been successful in unintalling it.

The instructions also suggest several free malware removal products and claim any of them will remove it.
`Zema Anti-malware', `MalwareBytes' and `AdwCleaner'

I tried all those listed in one of the instruction sets, ran the scan but none of them found whatever is running the little softonic pop up ad.

This type of malware apparently falls into a category called a `PUP'.

I never found in the google hits what expected would be there somewhere. A list of steps to remove something like this by hand.

Can anyone here advise me?

:)

 

how to remove banner that constantly appears "Malwae has been detected and Defender is removing it"?

Manually update Defender Defs to v1.243.229.0 (or higher) & test.

 

how to remove banner that constantly appears "Malwae has been detected and Defender is removing it"?

how to remove repetitive notice that appears with ring "Malware has been detected and Defender is removing it"?

 

AdwCleaner should remove it for you, I'm surprised it apparently didn't for you.

AdwCleaner - Free Adware Cleaner & Removal Tool

 

Tried it again on your sayso. See the results in image one, and the pesky pop up (PUP) in image two





Bottom Right corner of Desktop

 

What did you download and install from softonic? Also look carefully in your list of installed programmes, it may not be named Softonic at all, check all dates of when programmes were installed and work from there.

 

I installed nothing from softonic. The one thing I installed close to when the ad started popping was the new winamp or maybe its the same one but back on the market.

So, I uninstalled winamp... several days ago, the popper is still here.

 

look through your installed programmes and see if anything else was installed the same day as you installed winamp

 

As I mentioned ... winamp was only thing close.

Next closest ...4 days earlier would have been Adobe Acrobat DC ... which was really an update done by my subscription to adobe cloud installer tool .. It installs a suite of Adobe tools and keeps them updated.

It seems downright unlikely for that to be the source... I've been working with adobe for several yrs.... never got unwanted junk from them.

Is there no other way to proceed?
I did do a registry search for the string softonic... during the last 20 minutes .. no hits.

 

System Restore Windows 10


Consider a System Restore .

If not, reset your browsers, manually check the registry (regedit) for suspect entries and delete, disable any addons to see if any effect. Run AdwCleaner again.

 

My thoughts too, but wanted to hear from experienced folks ... I just assumed someone would know how to track this down or have had the same problem and got a solution not involving a system restore.

Incidentally; When a system restore is done do things actually get removed similar to a restore from a previous Image like an image backup taken with something like acronis?

As an example, if you had downloaded something, but not installed it... so its setting in `Downloads'. Would that file be gone after a system restore

 

No, it does not affect files. After you click Next, there is an option to scan for affected programs. However, it may not remove any other malware you may have, just the PUP.

 

Hello!

This small advertisements that pop up in the bottom right on your desktop are called a web notifications. You have probably given accidentally permission to our website .com to send you these kind of notifications. Depending on the browser you use you can easily disable them.

You haven't installed (as there is no such thing) and from your description, this isn't malware either.

So, here's how you can disable the notifications:
Google Chrome (laptop)

To disable Chrome notifications, copy this address chrome://settings/content/notifications and paste it in your browser. This way, you’ll go straight to the “Notifications” section of Chrome Settings.



If you want to stop receiving permission requests for notifications, disable the “Ask before sending (recommended)” option to “Block all.”
Want to block notifications for a specific website? You’ll see that you’ve got two options: “Block” and “Allow.” Under “Allow,” look for the web page you want to stop receiving notifications for, click on the three vertical dots beside it and then select “Block.” It’s that easy!
Google Chrome (cell phone)

Go to “Settings” (by tapping on the three vertical dots in the top right). Press “Web page settings” and then “Notifications.”
If you want to stop receiving permission requests for notifications, disable the “Ask before allowing websites to send notifications (recommended)” option to “Blocked.”
Want to disable specific notifications? Below, you’ll have two options: allowed and blocked notifications. Select one that is allowed and then the “Notifications” option to block it. Easy peasy.
Mozilla Firefox (laptop)

To disable notifications on Firefox, copy this address about*Tonguereferences#content and paste it in your browser to access the “Content” section of Firefox Options. Here you’ll see the “Notifications” subsection.
If you want to stop receiving so many permission requests for notifications and notifications themselves, enable the “Do not disturb me” option.
Want to block notifications for a specific web page? Click on “Select.” A list with all the notifications you’ve allowed or blocked to date will show up. Look for the website you no longer want to receive notifications from and select “Remove site.”
When you go to that page again, it will once again ask for permission to send you notifications (unless you’ve enabled the “Do not disturb me” option). Select that you don’t want to receive notifications. Case closed.
Unfortunately, there’s no easier way to block specific notifications on Firefox.
Mozilla Firefox (cell phone)

For now, there’s only one very basic way to disable notifications for this version of Firefox. You must go to the page that you want to disable notifications for and click on the Control Center (the green lock to the left of the URL).


Then select “Edit site settings.” Tap the white square to “check” it and then press “Clear.” This way, the website will stop sending you notifications unless you go back and give it permission.
Apple Safari

To stop receiving notifications for a web page, go to “Preferences” and then click on “Notifications.” Look for the website on the list and select “Block.”
If you want to stop receiving permission requests for notifications, don’t leave the “Notifications” section; simply uncheck the box “Allow websites to ask for permission to send push notifications.”

If none of these solutions work please send us a short email at L: support@support..com and we'll help you.

 

No one can "accidentally" give you permission. Granting permission is a specific action someone takes, knowingly and intentionally.
I think the real question is why should we have to go through all of that to remove something we didn't ask for in the first place? It is Malware and unethical for you to embed it to begin with.

 

In order for a user to receive web notification, the user has to opt-in for them. There is no way for any website to sign up a user without his permission. If you have any concerns about the topic please let us know.