Do you know what InspiringBackgrounds is?
InspiringBackgrounds could raise your interest as it can customize your browser windows with nice nature background pictures, inspiring quotes, and local weather information; however, our researchers have found that this browser extension is simply a new child in the infamous Mindspark family of useless and potentially unreliable tools. Having this questionable extension as your new home page and new tab page could also mean that you do not even remember how this tool ended up there at all. This could be due to the questionable channels through which the application might sneak onto your system. In fact, our researchers have categorized this threat as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). This means that you do not need to get a heart-attack right now because this PUP cannot be mentioned on the same page with a ransomware infection, for instance. But you should know that even this tool may hold certain risks for you, which can indirectly cause some harm to your computer and your files. If you want to end the exposure to potentially unsafe web content, we suggest that you remove InspiringBackgrounds from your computer.
There are two main ways for you to install this useless browser extension. First, you may somehow end up on its official webpage at inspiringbackgrounds.com/index.jhtml. Although we doubt that too many users would find this webpage, but let us assume you know this URL or find it as a search result. As a matter of fact, if your computer is protected by a decent anti-malware application, you may not even be able to load this page because it gets blocked right away. This does not usually happen when you are about to visit a legitimate website. Nevertheless, if your PC is unprotected, you may be able to view this page and install this PUP directly. But, as usual, it is more likely that you install this extension via alternative channels.
InspiringBackgrounds screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
This is possible when, for example, you click on unreliable third-party advertisements or modified search results. The first option can happen when your computer is infected with adware programs or you end up on suspicious file-sharing, gambling, and gaming websites that host several third-party ads. The latter option is possible when there is a browser hijacker on your system that can redirect you to manipulated search results pages that may contain harmful ads and links. Clicking on such contents not only can drop this PUP onto your system but also a full bundle of malware threats. This can make your computer quite vulnerable as you could infect it with a number of adware programs, browser hijackers, fake alerts, Trojans, and PUPs. This is why we suggest that you delete InspiringBackgrounds as soon as possible and run a system malware scan right afterwards.
This PUP can appear as your home page and new tab page in your most popular browsers. This tool offers you to "choose from over 40 inspiring images," "quotes in a variety of categories including Mindfulness, Ambition, Adventure, and Bliss," as well as personalized weather alerts. In addition to all this, you also find a search box in the middle of the page that is supposed to be a third-party customized Google search engine. You should know that using such a search tool could lead you to modified search results pages that may redirect you to malicious websites if you happen to engage with them. If you do not want to be exposed to unsafe web content and online scams, it would be best for you to InspiringBackgrounds from your computer.
We have found that uninstalling this PUP via Control Panel is not the end of the story. In other words, the official uninstaller does not remove InspiringBackgrounds from Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Therefore, you need to do so manually. We have included the necessary instructions below this article. Since even the least dangerous infections can put your virtual security at risk, it is highly recommended that you eliminate all other possible threats as well. If you cannot do this manually, we suggest that you employ a trustworthy malware removal application as soon as possible.
Remove InspiringBackgrounds from Windows
Windows XP
- Open the Start menu.
- Chosse Control Panel.
- Click Add or Remove Programs.
- Select the uninstaller and click Remove.
Windows Vista / Windows 7
- Open the Start menu.
- Select Control Panel and then, pick Uninstall a program.
- Right-click on the uninstaller and select Uninstall.
Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10
- Tap Win+X.
- Select Control Panel.
- Go to Uninstall a program.
- Select the unwanted application and click Uninstall.
Remove InspiringBackgrounds from browsers
Mozilla Firefox
- Tap Ctrl+Shift+A to access the Add-ons Manager.
- Go to Extensions menu and Remove the unwanted extension.
Google Chrome
- Tap Alt+F to open the Chrome menu.
- Choose More tools and select Extensions.
- Identify the unwanted extension and click the trash can on the right.
- Press Remove.
In non-techie terms:
InspiringBackgrounds is a potentially unreliable browser extension that can show up as your home page and new tab page in your browsers, including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. Because of the suspicious traits this tool has shown, our researchers have labeled it as a potentially unwanted program. This simply means that this application may not pose a great threat to your computer, but it can still expose you to possibly unreliable third-party contents. Since it is also possible that this PUP comes on board along with malicious software installers, we suggest that you run a malware scan on your system right after you remove InspiringBackgrounds from your browsers. If you do not want to let more dangerous malware threats onto your computer or end up being scammed by criminals, you should make sure that your PC gets the best protection and install a reliable anti-malware program.