Clean your computer from advertising. The best programs to remove ads, viruses and malware

Hello friends If you have noticed an advertising infection that can be in Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla, then today we will figure out how to remove it and get everything back. I’ll say right away that there are many such advertising viruses today, some are more similar in behavior to a virus, some less so, but they all have one task - advertising.

For example, Searchtds, Firstsputnik, Smartsputnik, and others are all virus programs; if you notice something like this on your computer, then it is quite possible that you have an adware virus. There are two news here, good and bad. The good thing is that this is an advertising virus, just an adware, and it is not as dangerous as ordinary viruses, that is, Trojans, worms. For example, a virus is much more dangerous than advertising viruses, since it simply encrypts files and often they cannot be returned

The guide is mainly for novice users, but my opinion is that everyone should know about the simplest mechanisms of how an ad virus works. In this guide you will learn:

• how to completely remove ad viruses from browsers;
• how to manually detect an adware virus infection;
• what are the best utilities to use to remove adware viruses;

As you already understand, ad viruses advertise something. Recently they have become very active, do you know why? Look for yourself - a computer is a vacation, and people don’t think much about it, but on the contrary, they relax. Without thinking twice, fools (or just hackers) took advantage of this and churned out a bunch of viruses that introduce advertising.. And you know what’s most interesting? That the impudence has reached the point where they are pushing advertisements directly onto the desktop. That is, even if the browser is not running, you may still have ads. If it is not there today, then it is quite possible that tomorrow one ad virus will download another and it will appear

But before that, open the Control Panel (for example through Start) and there find the Programs and Features icon, then look to see if there are any suspicious programs in the list of installed ones. For example, these could be:

• Application Extension is a program for changing the set of extensions in the browser, that is, if you find it, feel free to delete it;
• GamesDesktop is just an adware infection, remove it too;
• Software Updater or anything that contains the word Updater are useless programs that check for a new version, often just sitting in processes and consuming RAM; due to their uselessness, they can easily download other programs, including adware;
• built-in panel in browsers;

How can I tell if I have an adware virus?

Basically, these are small or significant changes in the way the browser works, you may just notice strange additional advertisements, for example, even on the search engine start page (which was never there). Or it may come to the point that all links on sites will change to others, and in fact you will be using a different Internet altogether

Symptoms of infection:

• when you open the browser, other sites can open at the same time, and the home page can also be changed; in order to change everything automatically or to prevent you from changing it, the virus installs a special extension;
• Slightly strange advertisements appear on different sites that were not there before; at the same time, the browser may load the processor more;
• some settings cannot be changed (rarely) or the effect of the change is zero, since they will still return to those set by the virus (often);
• at the same time, your antivirus, no matter what it is, does not report any threats; some antiviruses begin to detect such a threat after a while;
• passwords for mail, social network accounts and more, all of this is untouched and not hacked, which makes the user think that after all it is not a virus and, as a result, no removal measures are taken; many viruses are capable of installing code into the system, which will download new adware from time to time; in theory, only reinstalling the system can help with this;
• the appearance of left folders in C:\Program Files; the appearance of left-handed processes, some may conduct strange activity - sometimes load the processor, sometimes not; Also, when the computer is idle, the virus often starts its work, this is noticeable by the CPU load;

How to remove it correctly?

To remove this evil spirit, as well as to destroy other malicious programs, you need to approach the matter comprehensively. Namely, first carry out a series of manual checks and, if possible, remove virus components, and then use the utilities. But, nevertheless, if you don’t have the desire or don’t have time to spend fiddling with browsers, you can safely move on to the point of removing evil spirits using special utilities (at the end of the article).

Checking the Chrome browser

I'll start with Google Chrome, as the most popular browser. What do we do? First, check the shortcut with which you launch the browser. It should only look like this, especially pay attention to the place indicated by the arrow:

You see, at the end of the Object field the executable file of the program is indicated, that is, chrome.exe, what else could there be? After the closing quotation mark there may be an advertising site, usually starting with http://, in any case, everything after the closing quotation mark must be removed, if any.

A more dangerous option is when instead of chrome.exe there is another file, for example chrome.bat, what can you do? In general, it is better not to do anything if you are not sure. If you are an experienced user, you need to find where chrome.exe itself is located and copy it, and then do not paste it onto the desktop, but select insert a shortcut. This way you will create an original Chrome shortcut. In the folder where the original chrome.exe was found, delete all virus files, they may have names like chrome.bat, chrome.cmd, chrome.exe.exe or something similar.

The second step is checking extensions. In the Chrome browser, select Additional tools from the menu, and then Extensions:

Now look at what extensions you have and any suspicious ones - first disable them and then delete them. If you completely remove all extensions, there will be no tragedy, then you can install the necessary ones again if necessary. For example, here one extension is already suspicious - this is KMPlayer for Chrome, you can remove it:

Now check whether the virus has changed the home page in the browser; to do this, in the Settings section, look to see if the opening of a virus site is indicated when the browser starts. It’s better to either set the pages yourself (for example, the same search engine) or select the option to restore those tabs that were open before closing the browser:

On the same tab below, pay attention to the search settings - there may be a different search engine there:

If there is a left search engine there, then click on Configure search engines, select the search engine that suits you and then delete the left one (click the cross):

Don't forget to click Finish. This completes the preliminary manual methods for removing adware from Chrome.

Checking the Opera browser

In the Opera browser everything is almost the same, only here initially there is a slightly different file, not opera.exe, but launcher.exe, what is it? This is a special Opera launcher, it’s just that some have regular Opera, while others have portable Opera. But that's not the point. Check carefully, you should also have exactly the same value as in the Object field in the picture below. If there is opera.exe, opera.bat, opera.cmd or something similar there, then something is wrong. Find the location of the launcher.exe file from Opera and create a shortcut from it on the desktop. And delete the file that is indicated in the Object field, that is, the dummy one.

I think that you understand, everything that comes after the closing quotation mark must be deleted, it all has nothing to do with launching the browser. If, for example, http://google.com appears at the end separated by a space (even if there is no http://), this means that no matter how you change the browser settings, the Google page will always open at startup.

Properties of the original shortcut:

In my case there are no extensions at all:

Why am I saying this? The same thing with Chrome - even if you remove all extensions, nothing bad will happen. Installing an extension takes a couple of seconds, just write the name of the extension and your browser in the search bar, then go to the official add-on store and install.

Open the main menu of the browser, select Settings. Check if there are any strange sites that are listed in the On startup item - the value Open a specific page may be selected there, and a viral site is indicated. If there is such a site, delete it and replace it with some useful site or simply select the Continue from the same place option:

Regarding the search, make sure that there is a normal search engine, the one you use. If it is viral, then change it here:

I don’t know why, but I didn’t find the option to remove the search engine from Opera, you can only specify another one:

To save changes, click Finish

Checking the Mozilla browser

With Mozilla Firefox, almost everything is the same, go to the shortcut properties and look at the Object field, pay attention to the folder where the browser is launched. All this should be original, as in this shortcut (only your folder can be just Program Files without x86):

Your working folder should be the same as here, everything that differs from firefox.exe in the Object field must be deleted. That is, find where the file is located, then delete pseudo-browser launchers there, this could be firefox.cmd, firefox.bat, firefox.exe.exe and the like. And from the original firefox.exe file, make a shortcut and place it in a convenient place, for example the Desktop.

Then go to the extensions section:

You can remove all extensions, and then, if possible, install only the necessary ones. I don't have any extensions at all:

Now in the browser menu, select Settings and go to the General tab, see if it is indicated that a website should open upon startup. If there is a virus site, delete it, replace it with some useful site, or even select the option Show windows and tabs opened last time:

On the Search tab, check what the search engine is and change it if necessary. Below, I also recommend removing all search engines that you don't need and leaving one or two:

Checking Yandex Browser

The situation is the same with Yandex Browser, although recently security improvements have been made (technology), so in practice it is a little less likely to become infected with advertising viruses. However, just like in the previous versions, we look at its label, here is the original and clean one:

But here, too, as you can see, the browser file is not yandex.exe or something similar, but browser.exe, so if there is something else there, then replace it with browser.exe, and then check the browser’s working folder and delete all fake launchers (you can click the file location in properties).

Then go to add-ons:

And analyze the installed extensions; by default, Yandex Browser already comes with some add-ons, you can disable them if you don’t need them:

If you need some kind of add-on, then downloading it on the Internet is very simple, in the same Yandex, type the name of the extension and the name of your browser, and the official sources where you can safely download the extension will immediately appear in the first positions in the results.

In Yandex Browser, select Settings in the main menu and see what is listed in search engines:

If there is a virus search engine, then click Configure search engines and remove the left search, but to do this it should not be selected by default:

Internet Explorer (IE) check

Perhaps Internet Explorer is the only browser whose settings are not so difficult to change, but few viruses do this. This is due to the fact that it is not very popular, everyone has it installed, but few use it

However, there may also be some jokes here. Go to the shortcut properties, if it is in the Start menu, then check anyway:

Now take a close look at this properties window:

It should be the same for you too. Approximately, because the folder may not be Program Files, but Program Files (x86), this is if you have a 32-bit system or use 32-bit Internet Explorer. The working folder should also be in this form.

No iexplore.bat, iexplore.cmd, etc., this all indicates viral changes in Windows.

Now open the Control Panel, there find the Internet Options icon and on the General tab, check if any site is installed in the home page field:

To have a blank window when Internet Explorer opens, set this value:

Usually only the home page is changed, less often, but nevertheless, toolbars (built-in panel) are also installed. This cannot be classified as a viral object, although it is true that they spread in a viral way. I have already written about one such thing, which is built not only into IE, but also into all other browsers

Internet Explorer extensions are even less popular than the browser itself, but they are still worth checking out. They are called Add-ons, to remove them or disable them, go to the Programs tab, there will be a Manage Add-ons button:

If there are suspicious elements there, then disable and delete them:

Removing malicious objects using special utilities

This is an option that may be better for you than manually checking browsers. But I think it will be useful for you to become familiar with this process.

Special utilities check your computer for viruses, modifications, check the boot region (MBR) and changes in it, browser extensions, services. In general, they check everything, but I must emphasize that I mean using a whole complex of utilities one by one. I was just convinced from my own experience that there are two good utilities, one found what the other didn’t find. Moreover, they are truly the best today.

List of utilities that I strongly recommend checking your computer:

• — has established itself as an excellent tool for checking services, extensions and all areas where viruses may exist; free, you need an Internet connection to check, as signature databases will be downloaded first; requires a reboot, after which a report will be provided;
• - also a super utility. Here is the first tool and this one - these, it seems to me, are the best utilities for combating ad viruses; HitmanPro will also check cookies, this is the data that sites leave on your computer; To remove viruses you need to register, but you can also enter a non-existent email address; detection and removal efficiency is excellent, verified by personal experience;
• — also a good utility, and I also consider it one of the best, it can check browser extensions; I found a malicious extension in Chrome; I recommend checking it out too;
• - also targets advertising viruses; daily updating of signature databases; intelligent heuristic analysis of files for suspicious changes; knows how to find even hidden threats that do not even affect system performance; Malwarebytes Chameleon technology is present to counter the behavior when the virus tries to block the work of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware;
• in the last paragraph, I would like to recommend you two more utilities, but they already specialize in ordinary viruses, that is, Trojans, worms, rootkits and the like; this and , both already contain anti-virus databases, find all dangerous viruses, Trojans, file-gluing programs (this is mainly used for hacking purposes), potential software that may contain viruses, for example, game trainers, program activators (burglars);

If you familiarize yourself with all these programs, then I am sure that even if there are viruses on your computer, it will not be difficult for you to get rid of them now. A comprehensive scan for suspected viruses will help clean your computer as much as possible from malicious objects.

In general, I hope that I completed my mission and introduced you well to the plan of action when you suspect that a virus has settled on your computer, or even more than one. Good luck

Hello, my dear readers! I think that each of you has repeatedly caught yourself thinking about how tired you are of advertising that constantly pops up while browsing the Internet. And probably not everyone knows that you can get rid of it.

Initially, in order not to complicate the process of understanding (later we will look at everything in more detail), you can try to use a specialized program to remove advertising. It is possible that the solution to the problem lies on the surface and this easiest method will help you.

Get rid of advertising using special. programs

Most antivirus programs do not recognize malware due to the fact that there is a lot of harmless software and files that act as destructive (opening additional pop-ups, for example). But there are still some that do an excellent job of searching, detecting and removing viruses (programs that display advertising on the screen):

1. There is one free utility Adw Clener. A very simple program. Download it from the Internet. Perhaps she will help you. There are both positive and negative reviews.

2. Next, you can also eradicate all advertising using. It is immediately worth noting that the operation is carried out on a paid basis, but it is possible to use it absolutely for free during the first month. It is great at finding malicious software, neutralizing and eradicating it.

Hitman Pro is available for download on the Internet - there are no problems with that. When starting, you should select the “check the system once” option. After the scan is completed, you should activate the program (it’s free) and remove any virus programs found. After these steps, you will need to restart the system and check the browser to see if advertising has appeared again.

3. There is another option for how to block the appearance of annoying advertising - this is Malvare bytes Antimalvare (MBAM). This miracle program will tell you how to get rid of utilities that contribute to the appearance of advertisements and windows in Internet Explorer (Google Chrome, Yandex, and so on).

If point No. 2 did not bring the expected results, and advertising did not turn off, then you can try this method. To do this, you need to install this application and run a scan, as a result, clear everything it detects. Next, restart the system and test the browser. Ideally, everything should work quickly, efficiently and without disturbing pop-up windows with advertising and extraneous advertisements.

You need to be prepared for the fact that the following problem may arise: pages will not start or load, and Explorer will report that an error has occurred. If so, then you need to click on the control panel, select “Categories” - “Icons” and enter the Internet/Browser properties.

Here you need to activate automatic detection of parameters and remove the option from the “use a proxy server for local connections” option.

Note! All the manipulations described above are applicable to any browser, that is, regardless of whether you use Google Chrome, Opera or Mozilla, everything should work out for you.

4. I left one more very good program for last. It's called Adguard. Details can be found at official website. In general, I recommend this method. But I don’t want to write much, since everything is already described in detail on the site.

Watch the video from Adguard:

Most people usually ask how to clean a browser, for example Chrome, from ad viruses? But this is fundamentally wrong because the advertising plague creeps through the browser and multiplies all over the computer, so the correct question to ask is how to clean your computer from advertising viruses?!

Mail.ru is especially guilty of this matter. The service is losing popularity and is trying to make up for it using such black methods, creating various advertising programs based on the Chrome browser such as amigo, comet and all sorts of tool bars.

One of the latest hits of the infection was a proposal to update Flash Player from Adobe. I downloaded the update from a site similar to Adobe in the form of an archive and after unpacking your machine is infected with advertising, I just can’t.

The programs are completely useless because... Instead of making it easier for you to find you, networks spoil your head with their aggressive advertising.

In general, it’s not for me to tell you; you’ve probably already met this evil spirit yourself.

The process of cleaning your computer from ad viruses.

Once you notice that your browser begins to open unnecessary windows with advertisements and shortcuts to new programs appear on your desktop, do everything without haste and step by step.

In the Taskbar, the one to the right of the Start button, disable new program icons. To do this, simply right-click on the one you need and select Exit or Disable.

Don't be afraid if you turn off anything unnecessary, nothing bad will happen.

2. Now you need to remove junk from startup and all obvious virus programs.

This can also be done through the computer panel, but I always use CCleaner for such purposes.

Even if you don’t have it, be sure to install it, it’s a very useful thing for cleaning and speeding up your computer.

How to use it to speed up your computer?

We go to the section-Service-Startup Disable all new and unnecessary programs that load our computer.

If you are doing this for the first time, then there is probably a lot of garbage there and you are afraid that you might not disable something you need.

Well, look, from my own experience I will say that you can leave only the antivirus and those programs that you need in your work and that you know. Various driver updates, Google, etc. can be turned off.

For example, in my startup: antivirus, Dropbox (I constantly synchronize many files while I work) and PuntoSwitcher layout switcher.

After you have cut out unnecessary things from the system, you need to remove obvious virus programs.

Let's go - Service - Uninstall programs. If you think logically, then the bastards are hiding among the new programs, and if you haven’t delayed treatment, then in today’s ones.

To make it easier to find, we select sorting by installation date and our bastards sit at the very top.

Let's uninstall everything that was logged in on the same day of infection!

We clean the registry with the same CCleaner. I explained how this is done here in

We reboot the computer.

Perhaps the best free one is AdwCleaner.

It cleans your computer perfectly and in most cases one check is enough.

Intrusive advertising on website pages annoys any personal computer user. If you want to read text and a window pops up above it, it's very distracting. Bright flashing banners tire your eyes and distract your attention. In addition, some users are faced with the fact that their browsers automatically open pages with a huge amount of advertising, instead of the ones they need. This article describes how you can remove web browser advertisements from your computer.

Advertising sources

The first type can be disabled using the correct browser settings and special plugins.

Intrusive viruses are a little more difficult to remove, mainly due to the fact that in most cases, users accidentally install them themselves. Typically, when installing free or pirated software, the installation wizard will ask you if you would like to additionally install another “useful” utility.

Many users inadvertently skip this point and open a direct path for ad viruses to their computer. But the installed antivirus cannot do anything, because the utility was installed with the permission of the computer owner.

Browser settings

The first thing you'll need to do is block pop-ups in your web browser. They are the most unpleasant type of Internet advertising and most irritate users. Fortunately, they can be turned off using standard tools in any browser. In this guide, we will look at this process using Google Chrome as an example, and in other programs you can do everything by analogy:

Now you can install an additional extension on your Internet browser that will block almost all advertising. The most popular plugin among these is the free program AdBlock.

The extension has its own official website, from which you can easily download the distribution kit for any browser. Follow the link https://adblockplus.org/ru/. On the right side of the screen, click on the icon of your browser, for example, Yandex. After this, the button “ Install for Yandex.Browser" Click on it to begin the download and installation process.

After successful installation, AdBlock will be launched automatically. You don't need to configure or enable anything. Pop-up windows, contextual advertising, banners, advertising in video players and much more will be blocked by the extension in real time and will no longer bother you.

Don't forget that this way you are installing AdBlock only for one browser. If you use several different programs in your work, you need to connect the extension to all of them by analogy.

Removing a malicious script

If, while browsing the Internet, you are periodically redirected to suspicious sites with a lot of advertising, these actions are probably performed directly from your computer using a special script.

If you have very few programs installed on your PC, or you can guess which application may be causing these problems, you can simply uninstall it manually:

One of the most common such programs is WebAlta.

ADW Cleaner

If you cannot find the source of the problems, you need to use the ADWCleaner utility. Follow the link http://adwcleaner.ru/ and click “Download portable”. Run the downloaded file. The portable version does not require any installation.

Click on the "Scan" button and wait a few minutes. Once the process is complete, click “Clean” to remove all malicious ad scripts from your computer.