StrataBeauty Removal Guide

StrataBeauty is an adware-type application configured to display unwelcome and potentially malicious advertisements while you browse the Internet. Therefore, we advise that you remove it from your PC as soon as you can. This adware comes from an unknown group of malware developers that have been very busy lately as StrataBeauty has numerous clones. The purpose of this program is simple — to make its developers money by promoting the content of whoever pays the most. We fear that this program can open the floodgates from more malware that could wreak havoc on your PC, so be sure to get rid of it using our instructions at the end.

It is hardly surprising that this adware’s developers chose to remain in the shadows because it is plain to see that it is not a legitimate application and is bound to promote potentially malicious content. Nevertheless, we have managed to link this program with applications, such as Flexible Family, Diet Interactive, and BuiltMoneyMaker, among others. All of these programs are practically identical, but their themes are different, and they promote different content as well. Nevertheless, their core functionality is identical, but we will elaborate about this a bit later.

It is important to know how this program is distributed to avoid it and its clones in the future. We have found that StrataBeauty is distributed much like its clones. Its main website Stratabeauty.com is promoted by various browser hijackers, such as Mystart.uninstallmaster.com and Whaatnext.com, and so on. These kinds of hijackers include links that promote Stratabeauty.com in their search results. Note that this website contains a banner that can promote unreliable content. Also, this site is considered malicious so some browsers might not allow you to enter it. In any case, this adware uses the InstallCore installer which means that it comes with additional unreliable software, such as MyPcBackUp by default, but they usually fall into the category of potentially unwanted programs so they do not pose a significant threat.

Our research has revealed that this application can display its promotions using two methods. The first, and most annoying, one is its main Graphical User Interface window which currently promotes a program called SafePCRepair by Mindspark Interactive Network (now known as IAC Applications) at Download.safepcrepair{dot}com/index.jhtml?partner=^AW7^xdm326&sub_id=316650_3631. However, its promotional campaign can change in the future. The other method used for advertising is nothing short of malicious. StrataBeauty reconfigures Internet Explorer to open automatically and load the address to SafePCRepair provided above. This program will open this browser regularly, and you cannot turn off this function because it has no settings menu.

It seems that currently this program promotes only one website, but that may soon change. Its developers are in web monetization business which is a shady occupation almost by definition. In truth, adware such as this one can get your computer infected with more malware because there is no way to determine which of its promoted links is legitimate without clicking it. In the worst case scenario, your computer might become infected with Ransomware, keyloggers, rogue anti-virus, and so on. Therefore, we recommend that you remove this seemingly harmless program as soon as you can.

In conclusion, StrataBeauty is a mere adware-type program set to subject you to advertisements and make money for its developers and partners. It comes from a software developer known for specializing in adware development and it is promoted using malware known as browser hijackers. We believe that this adware can compromise your computer’s security and infect it with more malware if cybercriminals use it to promote their malicious content.

The removal process is pretty simple. First, you have to delete StrataBeauty’s files scattered through three locations. After you do that, you have to delete the leftover registry keys that force Internet Explorer to open randomly and load promoted sites. You should also look into how this adware entered your PC, as the chances are that it entered it via a browser hijacker. If you have any trouble dealing with StrataBeauty or any other malicious program, then we recommend using SpyHunter to eradicate them.

How to uninstall this adware using Control Panel

Windows 10/8.1/8

1. Right-click on the Windows Start menu logo.
2. Select Programs and Features.
3. Locate the adware and right-click on it.
4. Click the Uninstall button.

Windows 7/Vista

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Select Uninstall a program.
4. Locate the unwanted application and right-click on it.
5. Uninstall it.

Windows XP

1. Open the Start menu and click Control Panel.
2. Select Add or Remove Programs.
3. Find and Remove the program.

How to remove StrataBeauty’s files manually

1. Simultaneously press Win+E keys.
2. Enter the following addresses in the address box and delete them.

• %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\stratabeauty
• %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\stratabeauty
• %USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\stratabeauty
• %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\stratabeauty
• %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\stratabeauty
• %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\stratabeauty (64-bit OS only)
• %PROGRAMFILES%\stratabeauty (32-bit OS only)

How to delete this adware’s registry keys

1. Simultaneously press Win+R keys.
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Once in Registry Editor, locate and delete the following keys.

• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\www.stratabeauty.com
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\stratabeauty.com
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\stratabeauty
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\stratabeauty
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{14FE10D3-7870-4B6F-94F9-DAE8E5C27D2D}_is1
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{14FE10D3-7870-4B6F-94F9-DAE8E5C27D2D}_is1