Download Checker is a fake extension that acts as adware instead of providing useful features
Download Checker is advertised as a tool for testing Internet speed, but it actually functions as adware.[1] This type of software is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns, displaying third-party content such as pop-ups, banners, coupons, and surveys on visited websites and interfaces. These advertisements may endorse scams, unwanted or harmful software, and even malware.
When clicked on, some of the ads can perform stealthy downloads or installations. It's important to note that any genuine content that appears in these ads is unlikely to be promoted by its actual developers, but rather by scammers who abuse affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
| NAME | Download Checker |
| TYPE | Adware |
| SYMPTOMS | Annoying pop-ups and other types of advertisements start appearing on the screen |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | Links embedded in the ads might lead to dangerous websites |
| ELIMINATION | Eliminate the extension through your browser settings; scanning the machine with anti-malware tools is recommended |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to get rid of any remaining damage and to optimize the machine |
How is adware distributed?
Advertising-supported software like Download Checker can be spread through various means. It may be downloaded from its official promotional webpage, or from deceptive websites that endorse it. Users may also be redirected to these pages through rogue advertising networks on websites, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware with browser force-opening capabilities.
Adware may also be bundled with other programs and installed unintentionally through rushed installation or downloading from dubious sources such as freeware and third-party websites or P2P sharing networks. Intrusive ads can also spread adware by executing scripts to perform downloads or installations when clicked on.
How to avoid adware infections?
To avoid adware like Download Checker, it's important to research software before downloading or installing it, and to approach installation with caution. This includes reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the “Custom/Advanced” settings, and opting out of all additional applications, extensions, and tools. It's also important to be cautious when browsing online, as illegitimate and malicious content often appears harmless.
For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary but redirect to questionable sites such as pornography, adult dating, or gambling. If you're experiencing adverts or redirects of this kind, it's recommended to inspect your system and remove any suspicious applications and browser extensions or plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with adware, you can use antivirus programs to automatically eliminate it.
Why is it important to clear cookies and cache?
Cookies[2] and cache are useful for storing information about your online activity, but they can also be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. Cookies can be sold to advertising networks and other third parties, which can lead to targeted advertising and potentially compromise your privacy. In addition, cache can take up a lot of space on your device, causing it to slow down or become sluggish.
Clearing cookies and cache can help protect your privacy, free up space, and improve the performance of your device. Using a repair tool like FortectIntego can make this process easier and more effective, as it can automatically clear your browsers from cookies and cache, clear up space, fix corrupted files, and optimize the performance of your device.
Remove Download Checker adware
Download Checker adware can be removed by going to the browser settings and looking at the extension list. We recommend removing plugins one by one to see if you notice any changes.
Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Scan your system with anti-malware tools
Potentially unwanted programs, or PUPs,[3] are software that may not be malicious in nature, but can still cause unwanted or undesirable effects on your computer. They are often bundled with other software and can be difficult to identify and remove. They can range from browser extensions to adware and other unwanted applications.
If you have completed all the recommended removal steps but are still experiencing unwanted symptoms, it may be necessary to check your system for other PUPs. These types of programs are often spread through freeware distribution platforms and can be difficult to identify due to their disguised presence as “useful” tools.
Manually removing them can be a challenging task, as it is easy to miss related files and entries that may be left behind. This can lead to the renewal of the infection. If you still prefer to manually remove PUPs, we have provided instructions for both Windows and Mac systems.
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment