Download antivirus to remove ads. The best utilities to remove viruses and malware

The fact is that malware is not a virus in the usual sense of the word. These are small utilities that climb into your computer without asking and install any kind of infection or show unwanted advertisements. And there are 2 problems here:

1. Antiviruses do not see malware because they do not consider them viruses.
2. These threats are very difficult to remove.

But it is still possible. After all, there is special software with which you can find and remove malware. And below we will consider 8 excellent utilities designed to remove such advertising viruses.

It’s worth noting right away that Windows 10 already has a malware removal tool by default. Yes, it may not be as effective at cleaning Malware and Adware viruses as other utilities, but it’s still worth a try. Fortunately, you don’t need to download or install anything - everything is already installed and configured.

As a rule, this software starts automatically, but if necessary, you can start it manually. It is located here: C:\Windows\System32\MRT.exe.

Finding and removing malware is simple - you just need to click the “Next” button. But the verification itself takes a very long time, so it will take some time.

The main advantage of this software is that it will 100% not harm your PC or laptop (but only if Windows 10 is licensed). Another plus: you can download it for Windows 7 and 8 at. website ().

AdwCleaner utility

AdwCleaner is very effective in combating:

• pop-ups in the browser;
• opening advertising pages in a new tab;
• changing the home page in the browser and the inability to change it.

Its main advantages:

• free;
• constantly updated;
• gives really practical advice on how to prevent your PC or laptop from becoming infected in the future (after analyzing and cleaning the PC).

Using the utility is extremely simple:

1. Launch it and click "Scan".
2. See what threats she was able to detect on the computer (you can remove the birds from unnecessary items).
3. Click Cleanup.

While the program is running, you will need to restart your PC in order to completely remove ad viruses and other infections. And when cleaning the computer is complete, a detailed report will appear of what was deleted.

By the way, AdwCleaner has recently received support for Windows 10, so it can be safely installed on any operating system.

Today, some malicious utilities can impersonate AdwCleaner. Therefore, if you download it from a third-party site, be sure to check for viruses on virustotal.

Anti-Malware Free

Another excellent utility that can be used to clean your computer from malware is Anti-Malware. Very popular among users today.

Its main advantages:

• reliable computer protection against malware (easily detects webalta and other common threats on PCs);
• effective removal;
• presence of Russian language.

It is also completely free (there is also a paid version, but the first one is more than enough).

For me, checking for malware takes a little too long. But that's just my opinion. Still, it is not for nothing that this utility is considered one of the most popular.

Zemana AntiMalware

It is also worth paying attention to Zemana AntiMalware. This is another good malware cleaning utility.

Main advantages:

• effective search (often finds advertising viruses that the previous 2 utilities do not see);
• scanning individual files to choose from;
• PC protection in real-time mode.

In addition, it has one very useful option - checking for malware in the browser and removing it. Since pop-ups most often appear for this very reason, this makes this utility one of the best.

Among the disadvantages are 15 days of free use and the need to connect to the Internet. But since such malware removal tools are used only occasionally, the first drawback is considered insignificant.

Junkware Removal Tool

Another great free threat scanning utility.

Main advantages:

• works with ad viruses, browser extensions, etc.;
• it automatically deletes detected threats in folders, shortcuts, processes and any browsers (before this it creates a checkpoint for recovery);
• generates a report after the operation is completed.

HitmanPRO program

HitmanPro is software that can also be used to find and uninstall malware.

Main advantages:

• fast work;
• effective search: sees many threats, and even those that have already been removed (traces of them usually remain);
• does not need installation.

It is paid, but there is a 30-day free period. This is more than enough to check your PC for malware.

Malicious Software Removal Tool

Also on this list there is another software from Microsoft that does not require installation and is suitable for Windows 7 and 8. You can download it.

Using the program is easy. Turn it on, click “Next” and wait for the report.

Spybot utility

And the last free program for removing viruses from your computer is Spybot.

Its main advantages:

• wide functionality;
• can track newly installed software and changes made to the Windows registry and files;
• is able to roll back changes in case of failures in the PC after removing viruses.

Perhaps programs to combat unwanted software and advertising, which are described below, are “more powerful” than AdwCleaner, but I recommend starting checking and cleaning the system with this tool. Especially in the most common cases today, such as pop-up ads and automatic opening of unnecessary pages with the inability to change the start page in the browser.

The main reasons for recommending starting with AdwCleaner - this tool for removing malware from a computer or laptop is completely free, in Russian, quite effective, and also does not require installation and is regularly updated (plus, after checking and cleaning, it advises how to avoid infecting your computer further: very practical advice, which I myself often give).

Using AdwCleaner is as easy as shelling pears - launch the program, click the “Scan” button, study the results (you can uncheck those items that you think do not need to be deleted) and click the “Clean” button.

The uninstallation process may require you to restart your computer (in order to remove the software that is currently running before it starts). And upon completion of the cleaning, you will receive a full text report of what exactly was deleted. Update: .

The official page where you can download AdwCleaner for free - https://ru.malwarebytes.com/products/ (at the bottom of the page, in the section for specialists)

Note: AdwCleaner is now disguised as some of the programs it is designed to combat, so be careful. And, if you download the utility from a third-party site, do not be lazy to check it on VirusTotal (online virus checker virustotal.com).

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes (formerly Malwarebytes Anti-Malware) is one of the most popular programs for finding and then removing unwanted software from your computer. You can read more about the program and its settings, as well as where to download it, in the review.

Most reviews note the high detection rate of malware on the computer and its effective removal, even in the free version. After scanning, the threats found are quarantined by default, and then they can be removed by going to the appropriate section of the program. If you wish, you can exclude threats and not quarantine/delete them.

The program initially installs as a paid Premium version with additional features (such as real-time scanning), but after 14 days it switches to a free mode that continues to work great for manual threat scanning.

I can personally say that during the scan, the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program found and removed the Webalta, Conduit and Amigo components, but did not find anything suspicious in the Mobogenie installed on the same system. Plus, I was confused by the duration of the scan; it seemed to me to be long. The Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free version for home use can be downloaded for free from the official website https://ru.malwarebytes.com/free/.

RogueKiller

RogueKiller is one of the anti-malware tools that has not yet been purchased by Malwarebytes (unlike AdwCleaner and JRT) and the search and threat analysis results in this program (both free, fully working, and paid versions are available) differ from analogues , subjectively - for the better. Except for one nuance - the lack of Russian interface language.

RogueKiller allows you to scan your system and find malicious elements in:

• Running processes
• Windows Services
• Task scheduler (recently relevant, see)
• Hosts file, browsers, bootloader

In my test, comparing RogueKiller with AdwCleaner on the same system with some potentially unwanted programs, RogueKiller was more effective.

If your previous attempts to combat malware were unsuccessful, I recommend trying: .

RKill

Sometimes, running malicious programs, as well as the changes they make to the system, interfere with the launch of the utilities listed here for removing unwanted software and access to the Registry Editor, Task Manager and other Windows tools. In order to eliminate these interferences, you can use the RKill utility.

Read more about what exactly RKill does and the features of using the tool in the instructions.

A free program for removing Adware and Malware - Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) - is another effective tool for combating unwanted programs, browser extensions and other threats. Like AdwCleaner, it was acquired by Malwarebytes after growing in popularity for some time.

The utility works in a text interface, searches for and automatically removes threats in running processes, startup, files and folders, services, browsers and shortcuts (after creating a system restore point). Finally, a text report is generated of all unwanted software removed.

Update 2018: The program's official website states that JRT support will end this year.

CrowdIsnpect - tool for checking running Windows processes

Most of the utilities presented in this review for searching and removing malware search for executable files on the computer, study Windows startup, the registry, and sometimes browser extensions and display a list of potentially dangerous software (checked against their database) with a brief information about what kind of threat was detected. .

In contrast, CrowdInspect's Windows Process Checker analyzes currently running Windows 10, 8, and Windows 7 processes, checking them against online malware databases, checking with VirusTotal, and displaying the network connections made by those processes (displaying also the reputation of the sites that own the corresponding IP addresses).

SuperAntiSpyware

And another independent tool for removing malware is SuperAntiSpyware (without a Russian interface language), available both free of charge (including as a portable version) and in a paid version (with real-time protection). Despite the name, the program allows you to find and neutralize not only Spyware, but also other types of threats - potentially unwanted programs, Adware, worms, rootkits, keyloggers, browser hijackers and the like.

Despite the fact that the program itself has not been updated for a long time, the threat databases continue to be regularly updated and, when tested, SuperAntiSpyware shows excellent results, detecting some elements that other popular programs of this type “do not see.”

You can download SuperAntiSpyware from the official website http://www.superantispyware.com/

Utilities for checking browser shortcuts and other programs

When fighting AdWare in browsers and not only, special attention should be paid to browser shortcuts: often, while outwardly remaining the same, they do not launch the browser at all, or launch it in a different way than the default one. As a result, you may see advertising pages, or, for example, a malicious browser extension may continually return.

You can check browser shortcuts manually using only Windows tools, or you can use automatic analysis tools, such as the free Shortcut Scanner or Check Browser LNK.

Learn more about these shortcut checking programs and how to do it manually in the guide.

Chrome Cleanup Tool and Avast Browser Cleanup

One of the most common reasons for the appearance of unwanted advertising in browsers (in pop-up windows, on click anywhere on any website) is malicious browser extensions and add-ons.

At the same time, from the experience of responding to comments to articles on the topic of how to get rid of such advertising, users, knowing this, do not follow the obvious recommendation: disabling all extensions without exception, because some of them seem to them to be quite trustworthy, which they use for a long time (although in fact it often turns out that this particular extension has become malicious - this is quite possible, it even happens that the appearance of advertising is caused by extensions that previously blocked it).

There are two popular utilities for checking for unwanted browser extensions.

The first of the utilities is the Chrome Cleanup Tool (an official program from Google, formerly called the Google Software Removal Tool). Previously it was available as a separate utility on the Google website, now it is part of the Google Chrome browser.

The second popular free program for checking browsers is Avast Browser Cleanup (checks unwanted add-ons in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers). After installing and launching the utility, the specified two browsers are automatically scanned for extensions with a bad reputation and, if any, the corresponding modules are displayed in the program window with the ability to remove them.

You can download Avast Browser Cleanup from the official website https://www.avast.ru/browser-cleanup

Zemana AntiMalware

Zemana AntiMalware is another good anti-malware program that was highlighted by the comments to this article. Among the advantages are effective cloud search (finds what AdwCleaner and Malwarebytes AntiMalware sometimes do not see), scanning of individual files, Russian language and a generally clear interface. The program also allows you to protect your computer in real time (a similar feature is available in the paid version of MBAM).

One of the most interesting features is checking and removing malicious and suspicious browser extensions. Considering that such extensions are the most common cause of pop-up ads and simply unwanted advertising for users, this opportunity seems simply wonderful to me. To enable checking browser extensions, go to “Settings” - “Advanced”.

Among the disadvantages are that only 15 days work for free (however, taking into account the fact that such programs are mostly used in emergency cases, this may be sufficient), as well as the need for an Internet connection to work (in any case, to initially check the computer for the presence of Malware, Adware and other things).

You can download the free version of Zemana Antimalware for 15 days from the official website https://zemana.com/AntiMalware

HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a utility that I learned about relatively recently and which I really liked. First of all, the speed of operation and the number of detected threats, including those that were deleted, but from which “tails” remained in Windows. The program does not need to be installed and it works very quickly.

HitmanPro is a paid program, but for 30 days you can use all the functions for free - this is enough to remove all junk from the system. When checking, the utility found all the malicious programs that I had previously specifically installed and successfully cleaned the computer of them.

Judging by the reviews of readers left on my website in articles about removing viruses that cause advertising to appear in browsers (one of the most common problems today) and about returning the normal start page, Hitman Pro is the utility that helps the largest number of them solve problems with potentially unwanted and simply harmful software, and in combination with the next product in question it generally works almost flawlessly.

You can download HitmanPro from the official website https://www.hitmanpro.com/

Spybot Search & Destroy

Spybot Search & Destroy is another effective way to get rid of unnecessary software and protect yourself from malware in the future. In addition, the utility contains a wide range of additional features related to computer security. The program is in Russian.

In addition to searching for unwanted software, the utility allows you to protect your system by monitoring installed programs and changes in important system files and the Windows registry. If malware removal is unsuccessful and results in failures, you can roll back the changes made by the utility. You can download the latest version for free from the developer: http://www.safer-networking.org/spybot2-own-mirror-1/

I hope that the presented anti-malware tools will help you solve problems with your computer and Windows. If you have anything to add to the review, I’m waiting in the comments.

Has your PC started to perform poorly? It may be infected with malicious adware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), or browser blockers. Malwarebytes AdwCleaner will remove annoying objects that slow down your computer. Get rid of annoying adware forever and restore your computer to normal performance.

How can Malwarebytes AdwCleaner help you?

• Remove adware
• Remove unwanted toolbars and add-ons from browsers
• Remove Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)
• Eliminate browser blockers

Learn more about Malwarebytes AdwCleaner features

Removing annoying toolbars, browser plugins installed with or without your consent, as well as unwanted adware and hijackers that reconfigure the browser's start page can be quite a difficult job, especially when you don't have a convenient and effective tool at hand.

AdwCleaner is specially designed to help users get rid of these types of malware and unwanted software. The application is characterized by its small size and ease of use. AdwCleaner can be launched from absolutely any storage medium, including portable ones, because... the program does not require installation. After launch, the utility automatically checks for traces of unwanted components or remnants of previous installations that need to be cleaned.

The scan results are presented as a text document. Thus, the user can view in detail the files and registry keys that should be destroyed. When you click the “Clean” button, the removal process will begin and will be completed after the system reboots.

It is necessary to note a very important feature of the program - for AdwCleaner to work, you need to close all running applications, saving the corresponding changes. In addition, rebooting the system during cleaning cannot be delayed.

An interesting feature of the program is the ability to remove it with one click. The interface has a special button, when clicked, the application is removed from any media on which it is recorded.

AdwCleaner successfully deals with a wide range of unwanted programs, removes ad blocks and eliminates the results of hijacker programs used to change the home page of your web browser. The utility also finds effective use in removing various toolbars for web browsers, unwanted plugins, extensions and add-ons.

AdwCleaner does its job perfectly. If you ever need to remove a plugin, toolbar, ad utility or other unwanted adware components, the application will be a great solution.

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner System Requirements

The program is suitable for all versions of Windows OS starting from Windows XP, all OS bits 32 and 64 are also supported.

Malware is software that gains unauthorized access to PC resources or user data stored on it. Such mini-programs are malicious because they are downloaded and installed unauthorized, interfere with the operation of applications, run autonomously, monitor user activity, and in some cases stop the operation of antiviruses and firewalls and send data. But it is incorrect to call malicious software or “malware” viruses in the full sense of the word; they are mini software that pursues its own “malicious” goals.

Such programs that secretly sneak onto a computer are often not identified by antiviruses, and in some cases even deactivate its operation. And it is very difficult to get rid of them. But there are special software methods that allow you to remove Malware.

Or on websites - a pressing problem that is not so easy to solve. We will tell you how to remove ads using one of the programs. But before you follow our recommendations, stop running extensions in your browser, even trusted ones, and look at the result. You may not need utilities. And if the method doesn't work, read on.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

AdwCleaner

Why do we recommend AdwCleaner? This program is absolutely free, created with support for the Russian language, does not require installation, effectively removes adware and all kinds of malware, is constantly improving and distributes free and very useful recommendations and tips. Yes, when the procedure for checking and removing malicious software and advertising is completed, the utility will tell you how to protect your computer from unwanted software.

Even untrained PC users can use this utility. All you need to do is launch the software, click “scan”, view the scan results and remove unnecessary programs. If you doubt the “need” of a particular application, uncheck the box.

Download the AdwCleaner utility to your computer only from the author’s official page. Otherwise, you risk getting the same malicious software, only under a different cover. If you downloaded the software from an unofficial resource, check it in real time.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Zemana AntiMalware

The program has Russian-language support and a fairly simple interface. Scans and finds individual program components using cloud technology. At the same time, it has the ability to work in real time, preventing harmful Malware and adware from entering the computer.

HitmanPro

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

Spybot Search & Destroy

These are, in our opinion, the most effective mini-utilities that allow you not only to remove malicious software and adware, but also to protect your computer online from other threats or the activity of already installed applications. If you need to clean your PC once, use the official utility. And if you need constant protection, install more effective programs.

Got a virus in your browser and now ads keep popping up? It's terribly annoying. Yes, and curing a browser from viruses is not so easy. They still need to be found, and many modern antiviruses simply do not see this infection. Actually, that’s why you see pop-up windows, and also advertising pages that constantly open (for example, Vulcan or other casinos).

So what should you do if your browser is infected with a virus? Find and get rid of it :) Especially for this purpose, below are 6 effective ways to remove a virus from your browser. And as a bonus, here are a couple of useful tips on how to protect your computer or laptop from re-infection.

How can you tell if your browser has been infected? This can be seen by the following symptoms:

Where do viruses come from in the browser?

Modern users very often install games, programs, extensions and do not even look at what they are installing. Just click “Next, next, done” - and now another adware virus has quietly crept into your Windows system. As a result, pop-up windows appear, advertising pages open, etc.

And in 99% of cases the user himself is to blame. Why? Yes, because usually browser virus treatment is required after:

You can also add the lack of antivirus on your PC or laptop. Of course, it won’t protect you from all viruses, but it will still detect and remove some. And if you think with your head and manually check suspicious files with an antivirus, this will help you avoid many problems. You can be sure of this.

How to clean your browser from viruses and advertising

We’ve sorted out the causes and symptoms of viruses, now let’s move on to the main thing. So, how to get rid of adware in your browser? It all depends on what kind of infection you caught. However, below are step-by-step instructions, following which you can cure your browser from various ad viruses.

It is universal and suitable for any Internet browser - Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Yandex Browser, Microsoft Edge. So all users can use it.

So, to get rid of viruses in your browser, follow these steps:

Run a full antivirus scan of your PC or laptop

Check your browser add-ons

Some extensions install themselves. Therefore, go to your browser and check if there are add-ons that you did not install. It is also recommended to delete those that you do not use.

Check installed applications

To open them, go to Start - Control Panel - Programs and Features.

Sometimes malicious modules are installed as regular software (for example, Webalta). To remove a virus that runs ads in your browser, you just need to find it and remove it from this list.

Check your browser shortcut

If, after launching it, the page of Vulcan or another advertising site immediately opens, then most likely the problem lies in the shortcut. Sometimes viruses write in the shortcut properties (in the “Object” field) the address of the site, which opens when the browser starts. To resolve this issue, delete the shortcut and create a new one.

Check the hosts file

Also, many viruses edit this file. As a result, when you open a popular website, another one opens (outwardly it looks the same, and you won’t notice the difference). And then messages appear asking you to send SMS, pop-ups, aggressive advertising, etc. There are two ways to remove this adware virus. The first is using the AVZ antivirus utility. And the second one is done manually. To do this:

1. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
2. Open the hosts file using notepad.
3. Remove extra lines. A normal hosts file should look like this:

Programs to clean your browser from viruses

There are also special programs for removing viruses in the browser. They see what antivirus programs missed and help get rid of malicious adware.

AdwCleaner

The first excellent program for cleaning your browser from advertising and viruses is AdwCleaner (link to the official website).

This utility will perform a quick search for viruses in the browser and find all advertising toolbars, banners, and malicious scripts. It can also clean shortcuts, files and the registry.

Malwarebytes

Another effective program for cleaning browsers from viruses. It will quickly scan your PC or laptop and help you get rid of pop-ups and annoying ads (link to official website). It has more than enough capabilities to find a virus in your browser and remove it.

Browser protection from ads and viruses

And finally, as promised, I will give some useful tips on how to protect your browser from viruses:

1. Install an antivirus on your laptop or PC. It can be free. The main thing is to remember to update it (or turn on auto-update). In half the cases, it will help you remove the virus from your browser. Or rather, to prevent infection. I recommend reading: .
2. Install a program to remove adware viruses. What antiviruses miss, special utilities like AdwCleaner or HitmanPRO will notice. With this combination, no infection will simply get onto your PC. And for your own peace of mind, periodically run a browser scan for viruses (for example, once a month).
3. Install a browser extension to block ads. It can be Adblock or Adguard - at your discretion. And if you want to disable advertising on your favorite website or blog (in order to support its owner financially), just add this web resource to the exception.

And most importantly: think with your head! Do not download suspicious exe files (especially if you need a movie in avi or mkv format), do not follow unknown links, and do not go to dubious sites.

As they say, the best antivirus is the one that sits on the other side of the monitor :) That is, the user. If you violate the rules described above, then no antivirus will help you. You need to be extremely careful on the Internet - remember this!