Why you need to remove MessengerPlus

What is MessengerPlus

MessengerPlus (not to be confused with Messenger Plus!, a legitimate extension for Windows Live Messenger and Skype) is a questionable program that is advertised as a desktop version for Facebook’s messenger. It’s a rogue application not associated with the legitimate Facebook messenger, despite being advertised as one. Due to its questionable behaviour, it falls into the potentially unwanted program (PUP) category. It’s not going to harm your computer directly but it does install without permission and will show you loads of ads. This kind of behaviour will get very annoying very quickly but there is no reason to put up with it. Once you delete MessengerPlus, you will be able to go back to normal browsing.

The program can install unnoticed. It does need your permission to install but it can essentially trick you into providing that permission without you even noticing. MessengerPlus is distributed via freeware bundles, meaning it comes attached to free software as an extra offer. If the offer goes unnoticed, it can install alongside the freeware. The program could have also been advertised as something else, and you may have installed it believing it to be some kind of useful program.

How does MessengerPlus install

Programs that use freeware bundling to install are usually classified as PUPs because it’s a rather sneaky installation method. Programs like MessengerPlus come attached to free software as extra offers and are hidden from users. If users do not notice them when installing the freeware, they install alongside. The offers are optional but users need to manually deselect them to prevent their installation. However, since they’re usually hidden, users end up missing them. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to make them visible and deselect them.

During freeware installation, opt for Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default. Those settings will make all offers visible, and you will be able to deselect all of them. All you need to do is uncheck the boxes of those offers, and may then continue to install the program.

The program can also be downloaded from various download sites, or be advertised on certain pages. It could also be disguised and advertised as some kind of update you are asked to install. The fake update notifications often appear on high-risk websites and are made to seem like they’re legitimate update alerts. When users fall for this trick and download the supposed update, they end up with some kind of PUP. For future reference, keep in mind that legitimate updates will never be pushed via your browser. If a program needs to be updated, it will inform you via the program.

Should you remove MessengerPlus

As soon as it installs, you’ll start seeing loads of ads in your browser, whether you’re using Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. It’s a program that supposedly allows you to use Facebook’s Messenger on your Desktop but we discourage you from trying to log in. You should also avoid interacting with any ads while the PUP is installed. Ads generated by PUPs and adware will not necessarily be safe. They could expose you to highly questionable content, including scams and malware.

These kinds of programs are also known to collect information about user activity. They generally log what sites users visit, what they search for, content they engage with, etc. The information is often shared with third-parties as well.

Seeing as you can easily access your Facebook messages via Facebook in your browser, there is no need for a program like MessengerPlus, especially if you did not install it knowingly. It will generate ads to bombard you with as you browse and potentially expose you to malicious ads. You could be tricked into falling for a scam, or end up downloading malware.

MessengerPlus removal

If you have anti-spyware software installed, it should detect it as a potential threat. Using the program to uninstall MessengerPlus would be the easiest option because the program would do everything. However, you should be able to remove MessengerPlus manually as well, as long as you know what to do and delete all associated files that could allow it to recover. Once the infection is gone, your browsing will go back to normal.