Remove Gun Setup Malware (Gun.exe)

Can’t Remove Gun Setup ads? This page includes detailed ads by Gun Setup Removal instructions!

Gun Setup malware (also known as the Gun.exe virus) is a nasty cyber infection. The parasite replicates the name of a legitimate Steam process, but that’s the only similarity between the two processes. Many threat actors use the names of legitimate processes to camouflage their parasites. The malware, however, is easily distinguishable, as it causes various issues. Gun Setup malware sneaks into your system and wrecks your browsing experience. The parasite corrupts your web browser and throws you into a whirlwind of reshuffles. This malware alters settings and forces your browser to redirect you to questionable websites. And it doesn’t stop just here. It has unrestricted control of your browser. The pest uses it to interfere with every aspect of your day to day browsing activities. The parasite injects various adverts on every website you visit. You would notice that even pages the used to be ad-free are now covered in in-text and banner ads. Coupons and discounts pop up every time you as much as touch your browser. Even your online videos get paused for commercial breaks. Gun Setup knows no boundaries. It is a complete and utter menace. The more time you tolerate it, the worse your situation becomes. The malware is not a mere annoyance. Do not underestimate it. It takes a toll on your device, as well as opens your system to numerous online threats. Do not waste time in debates. Act against the invader. Your best course of action is the immediate removal of the malware. The sooner it’s gone, the better!

How did I get infected with?

Gun Setup does not target individual users. No, this malware has other plans. It uses mass distribution strategies to reach a broad spectrum of potential victims. The parasite relies on fake updates, software bundles, corrupted links, and torrents. It lurks in the shadows and waits for you to let your guard down. The thing about this parasite is that it cannot hack your device. To get on board, it needs you, the user, to approve its installation. No permission, no admission. As you can imagine, there is a catch. The parasite lurks in the shadows. It asks you in the sneakiest way possible. The malware gets installed when you don’t pay attention to the fine print. Do not make its job easier. Do not give into naivety. No anti-virus app can protect you if you act recklessly. Only your caution is strong enough to keep your system secure and virus-free. Download software from reliable sources only. Forget about the “Next-Next-Finish” installation strategy. If available, use the advanced/custom setup option. And read the terms and conditions before you agree to them. If you cannot spare enough time to go through the whole document, scan it with an online EULA analyzer. Remember that even a little extra attention goes a long, long way. Always take the time to do your due diligence!

Why is this dangerous?

Gun Setup is intrusive, menacing, and dangerous. This malware slithers into your OS and wreaks havoc. It follows programming to bombard you with advertisements. The parasite injects adverts on every website you visit; loads push-up notifications, and opens pop-ups. It turns your web browsers into ad-displaying slaves. Chrome, Opera, Edge, Firefox; there is no immune program. The malware alters their settings and takes over your browsing experience. It follows you around the Web and throws ads at you. Its, advertisements, however, are not mere annoyances. They are all potential threats. Gun Setup has no security mechanism. It spreads deceptive and false content. It also redirects web traffic to dangerous websites. This malware is very likely to redirect you to phishing, phony, and even infected websites. Do yourself a huge favor, remove the malware before it gets you in trouble. Gun Setup has no place on your device. The more you tolerate it, the worse your situation becomes. Do what’s best for you and your system’s well-being, remove this invader ASAP!

How to Remove Gun Setup virus

The Gun Setup infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Gun Setup infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Gun Setup in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Gun Setup startup location

STEP 3: Delete Gun Setup traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Gun Setup in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Gun Setup startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Gun Setup virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean Gun Setup traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Gun Setup by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Gun Setup

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Gun Setup, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove Gun Setup argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Gun Setup Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.