Solved 2015 Reward Opportunities Removal

[Smoke]

I have been getting pop-ups lately of the 2015 Reward Opportunities variety. Normally I don't get any pop-ups at all so when I started getting them I was a little worried but figured from time to time one or two ads will get through an ad-blocker. However I googled it and it led me straight to Remove "2015 Rewards Survey" Ads (Virus Removal Guide) leading to me think it was more than just a pop-up. So I'm here for help.

Here's a screenshot of the links I've blocked, which are all the same thing (besides the Hotels combined & Mansion Casino). I'd also guess that it started around 1 - 2 days before the first one was blocked.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,

I don't see active infection on your PC. When and how do you get these ads?

 

[Smoke]

Hi,

It's normally when I'm trying to catch up on TV shows online. It's just before the start date it had never happened before and now it happens pretty regularly. uBlock has been great at stopping ads up until it started, I even tried on my laptop which is using adguard and that seems to have got even worse.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Have you maybe stopped to consider that these sites are showing ads as their way for revenue?

 

[Smoke]

I have and for sites that I frequent that don't throw intrusive ads at me every time I visit I normally allow the ads, but if they're throwing "adware" (as the MalwareTips blog suggests it is) then I'm no doubt going to try and block that when and where I can. It just seems like my uBlock refuses to block that specific ad. It keeps coming back under various URL's.

 

[Smoke]

But as you say I have no infection I guess I'll just have to put up with them for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for giving me peace of mind.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Since there are no more problems, we can declare this PC clean

Now, we can proceed with post-cleanup procedures. Let's remove my tools and create a new, non infected restore point concurrently deleting old ones.


Step 1. - Creation of system restore point and tools removal.


Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the
  
  icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt). I don't need it for review.

Tool deletes old system restore points and creates a fresh system restore point after cleaning.


Step 2. - Tips and tricks to keep your computer clean, safe and in a good shape.


Security tips - highly recommended reading:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Maintenance tips:

• Optimize Windows for better performance

Additional software that I personally use and install on all my clients devices:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (paid version highly recommended) - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
• McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
• Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
• Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
• Qualys BrowserCheck - cloud service that scans your browsers and plugins to see if they’re all up-to-date.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle