• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
MalwareTips Guides

MalwareTips Guides

Malware Removal Guides for Windows, Android & Mac

  • Blogs
    • Adware
    • Browser Hijackers
    • Unwanted Programs
    • Ransomware
    • Rogue Software
    • Guides
    • Trojans
  • Forums
  • News
    • Security News
    • Technology News
    • Hardware News
  • Giveaways
    • Giveaways, Promotions and Contests
    • Discounts & Deals
    • MalwareTips Giveaways
  • Reviews
    • Video Reviews
    • Users Review
  • Support
    • Malware Removal Assistance For Windows
    • Malware Removal Assistance For Mac
    • Malware Removal Assistance For Mobile
  • Malware Hub
    • Malware Samples
    • Statistics and Reports
  • Resources
Blogs > Trojans > How to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor Virus (Removal Guide)

How to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor Virus (Removal Guide)

Published on July 11, 2017 at 10:06 am | Filed Under: Trojans

Stelian PiliciStelian Pilici July 11, 2017 Trojans

Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor is a heuristic detection designed to generically detect a Potentially Unwanted Program. A potentially unwanted application is a program that contains adware, installs toolbars or has other unclear objectives.

When infected with Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor the common symptoms include:

  • Advertising banners are injected with the web pages that you are visiting.
  • Random web page text is turned into hyperlinks.
  • Browser popups appear which recommend fake updates or other software.
  • Other unwanted adware programs might get installed without the user’s knowledge.
  • Changing the web browser’s default home page
  • Changing the browser’s search provider and built-in search box
Files reported as Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor may not necessarily be malicious. Should you be uncertain as to whether a file has been reported correctly, you can submit the affected file to https://www.virustotal.com/en/ to be scanned with multiple antivirus engines.

How to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor Adware (Virus Removal Guide)

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the amount of the steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy to understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.

To remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor adware, follow these steps:

  • STEP 1: Use Malwarebytes to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor Adware
  • STEP 2: Use HitmanPro to Scan for Malware and Unwanted Programs
  • STEP 3: Double-check for malicious programs with Emsisoft Emergency Kit
  • STEP 4: Reset your browser to default settings

STEP 1: Use Malwarebytes to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor Adware

Malwarebytes is a powerful on-demand scanner which should remove the Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor adware from Windows. It is important to note that Malwarebytes will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

  1. You can download download Malwarebytes from the below link.
    MALWAREBYTES DOWNLOAD LINK (This link open a new page from where you can download “Malwarebytes”)
  2. When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the “mb3-setup-consumer” file to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
    Malwarebytes installer
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    Malwarebytes User Account Control Prompt
  3. When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process.
    Setup Malwarebytes installer
    To install Malwarebytes on your machine, keep following the prompts by clicking the “Next” button.
    Completing the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard
  4. Once installed, Malwarebytes will automatically start and update the antivirus database. To start a system scan you can click on the “Scan Now” button.
    Perform a system scan with Malwarebytes
  5. Malwarebytes will now start scanning your computer for malicious programs.
    This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Malwarebytes scanning for malware
  6. When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected.
    To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine Selected” button.
    Malwarebytes Quarantine Selected
  7. Malwarebytes will now quarantine all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found.
    To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
    Malwarebytes removing malware from computer
    When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.

STEP 2: Use HitmanPro to Scan for Malware and Unwanted Programs

HitmanPro can find and remove malware, adware, bots, and other threats that even the best antivirus suite can oftentimes miss. HitmanPro is designed to run alongside your antivirus suite, firewall, and other security tools.

  1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “HitmanPro”)
  2. When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on the “hitmanpro” file to install this program on your computer.
    HitmanPro icon
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    HitmanPro User Account Control Pop-up
  3. When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Now click on the Next button to continue with the scan process.
    HitmanPro setup process
  4. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malware.
    HitmanPro scanning for Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor virus
  5. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the “Next” button, to remove malware.
    HitmanPro detected malware
  6. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
    Activate HitmanPro to remove malware
    When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.

STEP 3: Double-check for malicious programs with Emsisoft Emergency Kit

The Emsisoft Emergency Kit Scanner includes the powerful Emsisoft Scanner complete with graphical user interface. Scan the infected PC for Viruses, Trojans, Spyware, Adware, Worms, Dialers, Keyloggers and other malicious programs.

  1. You can download Emsisoft Emergency Kit from the below link.
    EMSISOFT EMERGENCY KIT DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download Emsisoft Emergency Kit)
  2. Double-click on the “EmsisoftEmergencyKit” icon, then click on the “Extract” button.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit program
  3. On your desktop you should now have a “Start Extract Emsisoft Emergency Kit” icon, double-click on it, then when the program will start allow it to update its database.
    Update Emsisoft Emergency Kit program
  4. Once the Emsisoft Emergency Kit has update has completed,click on the “Scan” tab, and perform a “Smart Scan“.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit Smart Scan
  5. When the scan will be completed,you will be presented with a screen reporting which malicious files has Emsisoft detected on your computer, and you’ll need to click on Quarantine selected objects to remove them.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit malware removal

STEP 4: Reset your browser to default settings

If you are still experiencing issues with the Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor adware from Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings.
This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Google Chrome


Google Chrome has an option that will reset itself to its default settings. You might need to do this if apps or extensions you installed changed your settings without your knowledge. Your saved bookmarks and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.

  1. On your computer, open Google Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click “More” (represented by the three dots) and then “Settings”
    Google Chrome Settings button
  3. At the bottom, click “Show advanced settings”.
    Google Chrome Advanced Settings
  4. Under the section “Reset settings”, click Reset settings.
    Google Chrome Reset button
  5. In the box that appears, click Reset. ​
    Reset Google Chrome settings

Internet Explorer


You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your PC.

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the “gear icon” in the upper right part of your browser, then click again on Internet Options.
    [Image: Internet Options in Internet Explorer]
  2. In the “Internet Options” dialog box, click on the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
    [Image: Reset Internet Explorer]
  3. In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.
    [Image: Reset Internet Explorer to its default settings]
  4. When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box. You will now  need to close your browser, and then you can open Internet Explorer again.
    [Image Reset Internet Explorer settings]

Mozilla Firefox


If you’re having problems with Firefox, resetting it can help. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history and open tabs.

  1. In the upper-right corner of the Firefox window, click the Firefox menu button, then click on the “Help” [Image: Firefox Help button] button.
    Firefox Help button
  2. From the Help menu, choose Troubleshooting Information.
    If you’re unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting information page.
    Troubleshooting Information in Firefox
  3. Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
    Refresh Firefox button
  4. To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
    Reset Firefox settings to default
  5. Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.
Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Your computer should now be free of the Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor malware.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Gen:Variant.Adware.Graftor adware from your device, please do one of the following:

  • Run a system scan with Zemana AntiMalware Free
  • Ask for help in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

share on twiter iconshare on facebook iconshare on google plus icon

Published on July 11, 2017 at 10:06 am | Filed Under: Trojans

We love Malwarebytes and HitmanPro!

We really like the free versions of Malwarebytes and HitmanPro, and we love the Malwarebytes Premium and HitmanPro.Alert extra features.

Malwarebytes Logo Malwarebytes Premium sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

Malwarebytes Premium Features

HitmanPro Logo HitmanPro.Alert prevents good programs from being exploited, stops ransomware from running, and detects a host of different intruders by analyzing their behavior. HitmanPro.Alert will run alongside your current antivirus without any issues.

HitmanPro.Alert Features

Primary Sidebar

Helping people since 2010

MalwareTips has been launched in 2010, and we pride ourselves on offering detailed, clear, and easy to understand guides that anyone can use to remove malware for free.

Connect with Us

Stay up to date with the latest cyber threats by following us on our social media accounts.
  • facebook icon18.3K
  • twitter icon4.5K

Be part of our great community!

Our community has more than 50.000 registered members, and we'd love to have you as a member. Join us and take part in our unbiased discussions among people of all different backgrounds about security and technology .

Sign Up

Latest Guides

  • How to remove Srchmgrk.com redirect (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How To Remove Websitetrafficgo36.live Pop-up Scam (macOS Guide)
  • How to remove Ruranterropti.pro pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Eventennathenpe.pro pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Robotornotchecks.site pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Message-alert.center pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove TANOS ransomware (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Searchmo.xyz redirect (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Dingroledintrep.pro pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How to remove Toresonetalet.pro pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)

Helpful Guides

  • How to remove Trojans, Viruses, Worms and Malware from Windows PC
  • How To Remove Browser Redirect Virus from Chrome, Firefox, IE & Edge
  • How To Remove Adware, Pop-up Ads & Malware From Web Browser
  • How To Remove Browser Hijackers and Toolbars from Web Browser
  • How To Remove Adware, Pop-up Ads and Viruses from Mac OS
  • How to Remove a Virus From Your Android Phone
  • How To Remove “Update Flash Player” & “Update Java” Pop-up Scam
  • How to remove Tech Support Scam Pop-ups from Browser (Guide)
  • How To Remove Potentially Unwanted Programs (Virus Removal Guide)
  • How To Remove “Your personal files are encrypted” Ransomware
  • How To Remove Adware, Pop-ups Ads & Malware From Windows 10
  • How To Remove Adware, Pop-up Ads & Malware From Microsoft Edge
  • How to fix “No Internet After Malware Removal” (Free Guide)
  • How To Remove Unwanted Ads, Pop-ups & Adware from Android

Reset browser to default settings

  • How To Reset Chrome Browser Settings on Android Phone
  • How To Reset Microsoft Edge To Its Default Settings
  • How To Reset Google Chrome To Its Default Settings
  • How To Reset Mozilla Firefox To Its Default Settings
  • How To Reset Internet Explorer To Its Default Settings

Need help?

If you would like help with any of these fixes, you can ask for free malware removal support in the Malware Removal Assistance forum. In this support forum, a trained staff member will help you clean-up your device by using advanced tools. Never used a forum? Learn how.

Ask for help now

Footer

Helpful Links

  • Contact us
  • Terms and rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy

Community

  • MalwareTips Community
  • Our Community Guidelines
  • Welcome Guide

Search Guides

Copyright © 2019 MalwareTips® SRL. All rights reserved.