Artificius Web & Universal Browser
The Artificius Web and Universal Browser are both Chromium-based web browsing applications that are considered to be rogue and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). They are forcefully installed into the user's computer and function as its default web browser replacing whatever the user was using before that. They were previously known as Chromstera before the developer decided to rename them.
As of the time of writing, Universal Browser is the new name of the Artificius Web Browser that was once installed on thousands of computer systems worldwide. They are often installed alongside malicious payloads such as from infected torrent files and cracked software downloads.
Unwanted applications in general
The two programs stated above are referred to as rogue programs, or potentially unwanted applications (PUPs). They are programs and applications that are installed on a computer and are believed to represent a risk or undesirable intent to the computer system.
This is because they are installed without the user's knowledge, and some users may be astonished to find such software on their computers. They are frequently included with third-party installers, and most unwanted apps are difficult to remove from the computer's registry, startup, and time scheduler.
Although apps like Artificius Web and the Universal Browser may not be considered a direct threat to the system, the other programs or malicious codes that may have been installed alongside them may be, so immediate action is advised to users who see the said programs on their computer.
The behavior of the threat
Artificius Web and Universal Browser (a fork of the now-defunct Chromstera browser) function identically because they are the same program, just with different names. The way these developers monetize is by using their software's built-in search engine. When a user searches, they will be redirected to Artificius.com then it will direct to Bing, and when a user searches using the Bing browser, the reward points they earn are given to the developers instead.
Artificius Browser search bar:
Artificius Browser Bing redirect:
These so-called points are prizes that Microsoft Bing provides to users who search on their platform, and they may be swapped eventually via the Microsoft Rewards website.
Therefore the said threats include browser hijacker capabilities since you are compelled to search using their default search engine, and they want you to use their web browser rather than Google Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Similar to a prior attack we discussed, Simple New Tab is also a malicious addon that uses Bing points to generate revenue. The way this works is that if thousands of infected browsers search Bing and one individual earns all of the points, it will eventually add up to a large sum.
However, the problem does not end there; because Artificius Web and Universal Browser have their own browsers, you may eventually encounter unwanted adverts and affiliate banners in the browser, as well as injected browser search results that are irrelevant to the query you entered.
In the case that you are able to switch back to your usual browser, the other malware payload alongside the rogue program may have also set a browser policy to the default browser, and you may notice that it is “managed by an organization,” indicating that someone controls the browser. You'll notice that malicious extensions may have been installed, and the remove option has been blocked to prevent uninstallation.
Distribution method
The Artificius Web Browser and the Universal Browser are both installed on the user's computer via a malware payload that can be obtained from unreputable sources. Some of them include illicit streaming platforms, cracked game/software websites, and malware-infected torrents.
In certain situations, it is installed using third-party installers, in which case the main software you wanted to get is installed, but the Artificius Web Browser and Universal Browser are also installed, along with other unwanted products packed with the installer.
Summary of the threat
Malware name | Artificius Web, Universal Browser, Chromstera |
Threat type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP), Browser Hijacker, Rogue App |
File type | .exe |
Delivery network | Bundled into third-party installers & unreputable site downloads |
Malware behavior | Change the default web browser and search engine |
Damage | Poor search results, intrusive browsing experience, and risk of further malware infection |
Detection names | Win32/DragonBossSolutions.B – ESET (See full results) |
More about Artificius Web & Universal Browser
The current software that is being installed on the user's computer is Universal Browser, and according to numerous reports from infected users, the program is being updated on a regular basis in order to keep it installed on the machine. That is why, you may see the following message pop up every time on the notifications bar.
“All updates were installed successfully”
Sooner or later, the aforementioned Universal Browser may be renamed to a new rogue web browser application with a different name but a similar program, and our team will likely provide an update on this when this occurs.
In the meanwhile, if you have been infected with the Artificius Web or Universal Browser program and are unable to uninstall it due to the malware creators' persistent techniques. Then, using the tutorial below, you may remove them and any other malware that may be hiding in your computer system.
Universal Browser removal guide
If you are in need of help removing Universal Browser from your computer system, you came to the right place.
This particular section will show you how to completely remove the said malware threat from your device.
We considered the technical skills of the people who use the internet, so we made sure the steps are simple enough that even those who aren't tech-savvy could follow them.
Before you proceed, ensure sure you have a backup of your data saved somewhere.
If you don't, your files may be destroyed or lost while you complete the instructions below.
These types of incidents are uncommon, but we recommend taking precautions just in case.
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To remove the Universal Browser malware from your computer, you only need to follow a simple three-step procedure:
Step 1: Delete the malicious software
We must first find and remove malicious software that may be potentially linked to Universal Browser.
While the Add & Remove Programs page in more recent Windows settings allows you to accomplish this, it is far simpler to use the Programs and Features page in the Control Panel.
Since all of the information will be in one grid screen, including the publisher name, the installation date, and the version number, it will be simpler to locate the virus. Here's how to do so:
1. Click on the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Type Control Panel in the provided search bar and select the first item from the search results.
3. Click on Programs and inside, select Programs and Features.
4. You will be presented with a list of programs currently installed on your computer.
5. Find Universal Browser and right-click the item then select Uninstall/Change from the dropdown menu.
We'll need to use a powerful uninstaller to do the dirty work for us if the software is stubborn and won't go away with normal approaches.
Fortunately, there are tools for this; Revo Uninstaller is a good uninstaller program made to tackle and remove uninstallable programs.
1. To start, download Revo Uninstaller by clicking here. Avoid downloading from third-party sources as they may contain additional bloatware upon installation.
2. On the download page, opt for the free version of Revo Uninstaller as it has all the features we need. Click on Free Download to begin downloading the setup file.
3. The revosetup.exe file would have started downloading. Click on it to start installing the software.
4. Revo Uninstaller setup would now begin and follow the typical setup procedure such as selecting your setup language, accepting the license agreement, and selecting the installation location. Once setup is ready click Install.
5. After the setup is finished, check the Launch Revo Uninstaller option to open the program upon closing the installer.
6. Once Revo Uninstaller has opened, it will show you the list of applications currently installed on the computer. Find Universal Browser, right-click it, and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu. (We will be using PC App Store to demonstrate.)
7. A confirmation message stating if you are sure you want to uninstall the said program, click Continue.
8. Follow the uninstallation instructions and this time, Revo Uninstaller would have forced the program to continue with the uninstallation compared to the previous attempt via Control Panel.
9. You will be notified that the software has been uninstalled, Revo Uninstaller will now conduct a preliminary examination and get rid of additional files and registries related to Universal Browser.
10. On the selection of Scanning modes, select Advanced to make sure everything is scanned without leaving a single directory unnoticed.
11. Wait for the scan to finish as Revo Uninstaller is checking for residual files and registries related to Universal Browser.
12. Revo Uninstaller may have found leftover Registry items, click Select All and proceed to delete them by clicking the Delete button next to it. After that, click Next.
13. It may have also found some leftover files and folders, simply do the same by clicking Select All and deleting them. Now click Finish and the uninstallation of Universal Browser is done.
Step 2: Run malware scans
Antivirus engines may not detect new threats in the early stages of infection due to the malware not yet being recognized by the security software. It might be discovered in the end, but it may be too late for the infected machines.
However, new malware threats may contain strings and signatures from previous malware in a database of existing security products. As a result, other antivirus software may identify it while others do not.
Since some antivirus software may not be able to detect it, we'll need more than one piece of security software to help us locate and remove the harmful threat.
Please run the software individually. You can do so in any particular order.
- Removal Tool
- Emergency Kit
- ESET Scanner
- Malwarebytes
Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool is an excellent tool for scanning and disinfecting malware-infected computers. Please note that this tool is separate from the mainstream Kaspersky security applications, so worry not about the company's controversies.
1. To start, download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.
2. Once the download of the executable file (KVRT.exe) is complete. The program doesn't need to be installed on the computer, so you may begin running it straight away.
3. After reading the KSN Statement, Privacy Policy, and End User License Agreement, check the box indicating your agreement to the terms and conditions. To continue, click Accept.
4. Please wait for the system initialization process to finish, as the program will first check if your system is compatible.
5. Before we start scanning, we will have to set the scope of the scan. Click the Change parameters option to do so.
6. Check all the boxes to allow the computer to search through all of the disks and directories for malware. After that, click OK to return to the main screen.
7. We can now begin the scan; simply click the Start scan button, and the Virus Removal Tool will begin.
8. Await the scan's completion with patience. If there are any risks within the computer system, a notification will be displayed.
9. To completely remove the risks that the program has identified, click Delete from the drop-down menu of each discovered object.
10. Click Continue to remove the identified malware threats from your computer.
As the name implies, the Emergency Kit software by Emsisoft is a must-use in your malware scanner arsenal. It features the same powerful scanning technology used by their flagship software, Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
1. Download the Emsisoft Emergency Kit portable software.
2. You can launch the executable program (EmsisoftEmergencyKit.exe) directly from your downloads folder after downloading it.
3. Click Yes to let the program start on the computer when the User Account Control window appears.
4. Choose your program's destination folder and accept the license and maintenance terms. Next, click Install to continue.
5. Click Malware Scan on the homepage of the Emergency Kit application to start the scanning process. The amount of time it takes for the program to scan your computer will depend on how many files you have and the hardware capabilities of your system.
6. Emsisoft Emergency Scanner will display a list of the files that the program has detected when the scan is complete. To get rid of threats from your computer, click on Quarantine selected.
7. To complete the malware removal procedure, Emsisoft Emergency Scanner may also ask you to restart your computer. Simply click Reboot your system to finish the process.
ESET Online Scanner is a program that is designed only to remove malware threats from your computer for free. It is simple to use and features an advanced malware detection system. There is no need for registration, free trials, or anything else. Simply download, execute, and remove the malware.
1. Download the most recent version of ESET Online Scanner.
2. After pressing the download button, the file (Esetonlinescanner.exe) should have been downloaded to your computer. It does not require any installations so you can simply run the aforementioned file.
3. Before using ESET Online Scanner, it must be initialized. Choose your preferred language and click Get started. Continue as directed by the screen until the homepage appears.
4. Click Computer scan from the homepage, then select Full scan from the three options available.
5. Give ESET Online Scanner the permission to detect and remove potentially unwanted apps by ticking the Enable option. After that, click Start scan to begin the scanning process.
6. Await the completion of the malware scan for your machine by the ESET Online Scanner. ESET Online Scanner would have automatically removed the threats it found after the scan. To complete the malware cleanup process, click Proceed.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware is well-known in the security field; they have helped many people with malware issues through their software, and downloading it will help you as well.
Note: We will only use the free version of Malwarebytes because it includes all of the capabilities we require.
1. Download the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-malware.
2. Malwarebytes will start downloading (MBSetup.exe) the installation file. Run the executable after the download is complete.
3. To allow the program to execute, simply click Yes in the User Account Control window that may appear.
4. The Malwarebytes setup wizard will now open; select Install to continue.
5. You will be prompted by Malwarebytes to install the Browser Guard extension. Depending on whether you want it on your browser or not, you can choose to download it (the extension is completely free).
6. Please wait as the Malwarebytes Setup installs itself. Follow the on-screen instructions until you have successfully installed Malwarebytes.
7. Start by launching Malwarebytes Anti-malware for the first time after it has been installed. If you're installing Malwarebytes for the first time, you'll get a 14-day free trial of the premium version.
8. After the program takes you to the main dashboard, click the Scanner box in the middle to start scanning the computer.
9. You won't click Scan just yet when you get to the Scanner page. Rather, select Advanced scans as shown below.
10. In the Custom scan section, click Configure scan. We will be able to alter the way the software scans the computer as a result.
11. To detect hidden malware, click the box next to Scan for rootkits on the Configure Custom Scan screen. Additionally, to enable Malwarebytes to scan every drive on your computer, check the boxes next to each one.
12. Once the Custom Scan options have been adjusted, click the Start Custom Scan button to get started.
13. A side window displaying the computer scan's progress will appear. Please wait until Malwarebytes has completed its malware scan of the entire system.
14. Following the completion of the scan, a list of threats found will appear. Check the boxes near all the malicious files and get rid of them from the computer by clicking the Quarantine button.
If prompted, please restart your computer since Malwarebytes may require it.
Step 3: Use the Tron Script (Optional)
The Tron script fights for the user, therefore it is one of our all-time favorites; it uses practically every removal and optimization method known to man, all with the touch of a single button.
It automates functions and programs for removing malware and bloatware, as well as cleaning up the computer, so the user behind the screen doesn't have to do any work at all.
With that being said, let us proceed and use the Tron script to clean the system:
1. To start, download the Tron script.
2. Extract the downloaded Tron file, with the use of an archiver like 7-Zip. Please keep in mind that you will not run the Tron script exactly as it is downloaded. You'll need to extract the.exe first.
3. After extracting the compressed file, open the Tron folder, right-click the Tron script, and run it as administrator.
4. The Tron script would have opened up and initialized by updating the database and checking the repo.
5. Once the initialization is finished, the disclaimer will be shown on the screen. Read it and type I AGREE in all caps to continue.
6. After agreeing to the disclaimer, it will show your current settings, as well as the Runtime estimate on how long the script may run. Press any key to begin running the Tron script on the system.
7. It will create a system restore point before beginning the process so if you run into any issues after running the script, you can always restore to the point it created before it started.
8. Please wait for the whole process to finish. You may see Tron script download and run multiple programs on the computer but it will uninstall them after finishing the process. This might take a long time as shown on the Runtime estimate.
9. Once everything has finished, the CMD window will have turned green which indicates that the process is a success. Press any key on your keyboard to close the Tron script.
10. To finalize the Tron script process, we recommend that you restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, you should no longer see the presence of Universal Browser or other malware threats.
You can always use the Tron script as a last option if you believe your machine is infected and there is no chance of detecting the malware.
Computer protection tips
As the saying goes: “The biggest vulnerability is the person behind the screen“
So, here are some tips and what you need to know in order to keep your device safe and malware-free in the long run.
Keep every software installed up to date
Make sure that all of the programs in your computer is up-to-date with the latest version released by the developer. The reason behind this is that these updates frequently tackle bugs and issues that malware actors often exploit.
The same goes for your computer's operating system, make sure Windows is up-to-date with the latest software update to prevent malware from exploiting a hidden vulnerability.
Avoid downloading files from unknown sources
One of the biggest sources of malware infection in a computer system is third-party installations. This happens when a user downloads a certain program from sources that are not the official download links. Some of the common types of sources where malware is present are torrent files, cracked software, and games.
Be careful with opening email attachments
Malware often disguises itself as resumes and quotations and threat actors often send thousands of these infected emails to company employees around the world in order to infiltrate their network.
Always check where your emails are coming from as there may be a chance that the project attachment you received via email did not actually come from a co-worker.
Do not visit unreputable websites
Avoid visiting websites that contain unfiltered advertisements such as illegal streaming websites, cracked software platforms, and links sent out to you by somebody you do not trust.
These sites are often linked to redirect chains that load once you click on an ad element on the page. Following this chain often leads to drive-by malware and phishing pages that an average user may eventually fail to notice.
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