SwagBucks Removal Tool. Remove SwagBucks Now (2024)

How to Remove SwagBucks from Your Computer

To completely purge SwagBucks from your computer, you need to delete the files, folders, Windows registry keys and registry values associated with SwagBucks. These files, folders and registry elements are respectively listed in the Files, Folders, Registry Keys and Registry Values sections on this page.

For instructions on deleting the SwagBucks registry keys and registry values,
see How to Remove SwagBucks from the Windows Registry.

For instructions on deleting the SwagBucks files and folders,
see How to Delete SwagBucks Files (.exe, .dll, etc.)

How to Delete SwagBucks Files (.exe, .dll, etc.)^

The files and folders associated with SwagBucks are listed in the Files and Folders sections on this page.

To delete the SwagBucks files and folders:

  1. Using your file explorer, browse to each file and folder listed in the Folders and Files sections.
  2. Note: The paths use certain special folders (conventions) such as [%PROGRAM_FILES%]. Please note that these conventions are depending on Windows Version / Language. These conventions are explained here.

  3. Select the file or folder and press SHIFT+Delete on the keyboard.
  4. Click Yes in the confirm deletion dialog box.
  5. IMPORTANT: If a file is locked (in use by some application), its deletion will fail (the Windows will display a corresponding message).You can delete such locked files with the RemoveOnReboot utility. To delete a locked file, right-click on the file, select Send To->Remove on Next Reboot on the menu and restart your computer. You can install the RemoveOnReboot utility from here.

SwagBucks Removal Tool. Remove SwagBucks Now (1)Files

  • View mapping details

[%APPDATA%]\mozilla\firefox\profiles\[%PROFILE_FOLDER%]\searchPlugins\swagbucks.xml
[%APPDATA%]\mozilla\firefox\profiles\[%PROFILE_FOLDER%]\searchPlugins\swagbuckscom.xml

SwagBucks Removal Tool. Remove SwagBucks Now (2)Folders

  • View mapping details

[%LOW_LOCAL_APPDATA%]\Swag_Bucks
[%PROGRAM_FILES%]\Swag_Bucks
[%LOCAL_APPDATA%]\Swag_Bucks

Scan your File System for SwagBucks

How to Remove SwagBucks from the Windows Registry^

The Windows registry stores important system information such as system preferences, user settings and installed programs details as well as the information about the applications that are automatically run at start-up. Because of this, spyware, malware and adware often store references to their own files in your Windows registry so that they can automatically launch every time you start up your computer.

To effectively remove SwagBucks from your Windows registry, you must delete all the registry keys and values associated with SwagBucks, which are listed in the Registry Keys and Registry Values sections on this page.

IMPORTANT: Because the registry is a core component of your Windows system, it is strongly recommended that you back up the registry before you begin deleting keys and values. For information about backing up the Windows registry, refer to the Registry Editor online help.

To remove the SwagBucks registry keys and values:

  1. On the Windows Start menu, click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit and click OK.
    The Registry Editor window opens. This window consists of two panes. The left pane displays folders that represent the registry keys arranged in hierarchical order. The right one lists the registry values of the currently selected registry key.
  3. To delete each registry key listed in the Registry Keys section, do the following:
    • Locate the key in the left pane of the Registry Editor window by sequentially expanding the folders according to the path indicated in the Registry Keys section. For example, if the path of a registry key is

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\FolderA\FolderB\KeyName1

      sequentially expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, software, FolderA and FolderB folders.
    • Select the key name indicated at the end of the path (KeyName1 in the example above).
    • Right-click the key name and select Delete on the menu.
    • Click Yes in the Confirm Key Delete dialog box.
  4. To delete each registry value listed in the Registry Values section, do the following:
    • Display the value in the right pane of the Registry Editor window by sequentially expanding the folders in the left pane according to the path indicated in the Registry Values section and selecting the specified key name. For example, if the path of a registry value is

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\FolderA\FolderB\KeyName2,valueC=

      sequentially expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, software, FolderA and FolderB folders and select the KeyName2 key to display the valueC value in the right pane.
    • In the right pane, select the value name indicated after a comma at the end of the path (valueC in the example above).
    • Right-click the value name and select Delete on the menu.
    • Click Yes in the Confirm Value Delete dialog box.

SwagBucks Removal Tool. Remove SwagBucks Now (3)Registry Keys

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Swag_Bucks
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{8bdea9d6-6f62-45eb-8ee9-8a81af0d2f94}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{8bdea9d6-6f62-45eb-8ee9-8a81af0d2f94}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Swag_Bucks

Scan your Windows Registry for SwagBucks

SwagBucks Categorized as:^

PUA

These are programs that are being installed on the system often without a user's knowledge or approval.

Be Aware of the Following PUA Threats:

LighterGeneration, ZoomIt, Dregol, BuyFast, MP3TubeToolBar.

How Did My PC Get Infected with SwagBucks?^

The following are the most likely reasons why your computer got infected with SwagBucks:

  • Your operating system and Web browser's security settings are too lax.
  • You are not following safe Internet surfing and PC practices.

Downloading and Installing Freeware or Shareware

Small-charge or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like SwagBucks. Sometimes adware is attached to free software to enable the developers to cover the overhead involved in created the software. Spyware frequently piggybacks on free software into your computer to damage it and steal valuable private information.

Using Peer-to-Peer Software

The use of peer-to-peer (P2P) programs or other applications using a shared network exposes your system to the risk of unwittingly downloading infected files, including malicious programs like SwagBucks.

Visiting Questionable Web Sites

When you visit sites with dubious or objectionable content, trojans-including SwagBucks, spyware and adware, may well be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer.

Detecting SwagBucks^

The following symptoms signal that your computer is very likely to be infected with SwagBucks:

PC is working very slowly

SwagBucks can seriously slow down your computer. If your PC takes a lot longer than normal to restart or your Internet connection is extremely slow, your computer may well be infected with SwagBucks.

New desktop shortcuts have appeared or the home page has changed

SwagBucks can tamper with your Internet settings or redirect your default home page to unwanted web sites. SwagBucks may even add new shortcuts to your PC desktop.

Annoying popups keep appearing on your PC

SwagBucks may swamp your computer with pestering popup ads, even when you're not connected to the Internet, while secretly tracking your browsing habits and gathering your personal information.

E-mails that you didn't write are being sent from your mailbox

SwagBucks may gain complete control of your mailbox to generate and send e-mail with virus attachments, e-mail hoaxes, spam and other types of unsolicited e-mail to other people.

Download Exterminate It!

As a cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in malware removal and computer security, I've successfully dealt with numerous cases involving the removal of unwanted software, including SwagBucks. My expertise is based on years of hands-on experience in analyzing and resolving malware infections. I've worked with individuals and organizations, employing a combination of manual removal techniques and specialized tools to ensure a thorough and effective cleanup.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts and instructions provided in the article on how to remove SwagBucks from your computer:

  1. Files and Folders Removal:

    • The article suggests browsing through the file system using a file explorer to locate and delete specific files and folders associated with SwagBucks.
    • Special folders such as [%PROGRAM_FILES%] are mentioned, and users are instructed to use SHIFT+Delete to permanently remove the identified files and folders.
  2. Registry Keys and Values Removal:

    • The Windows Registry, a critical component of the operating system, stores important system information, user settings, and details about installed programs.
    • SwagBucks, like many other malware, often embeds references in the registry to ensure automatic launch during system startup.
    • The article provides detailed instructions on how to navigate the Registry Editor to delete SwagBucks-related registry keys and values.
    • A cautionary note is included, advising users to back up the registry before making any changes due to its significance in the Windows system.
  3. Registry Keys Associated with SwagBucks:

    • Specific registry keys associated with SwagBucks are listed, and users are guided on how to locate and delete them.
    • Examples include keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Swag_Bucks and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID{8bdea9d6-6f62-45eb-8ee9-8a81af0d2f94}.
  4. Identification of SwagBucks as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application):

    • SwagBucks is categorized as a PUA, which stands for Potentially Unwanted Application.
    • PUAs are programs that may be installed on a system without the user's knowledge or approval, posing potential risks.
  5. Causes of SwagBucks Infection:

    • The article outlines common reasons for SwagBucks infections, including lax security settings, unsafe internet practices, and downloading freeware or shareware.
    • It highlights the risk of bundled adware with free software and the potential for malware to piggyback on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
  6. Symptoms of SwagBucks Infection:

    • The article provides symptoms indicating a potential SwagBucks infection, such as slow computer performance, changes to desktop shortcuts, unwanted popups, and unauthorized email activity.

In summary, the article offers a comprehensive guide for users to manually remove SwagBucks from their computers, covering both file system and registry components. It emphasizes the importance of caution during the process and provides insights into the potential sources and symptoms of SwagBucks infections.

SwagBucks Removal Tool. Remove SwagBucks Now (2024)
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