Setli works as an ad-supported application
Setli is an application that allows users to automatically modify the DNS[1] settings on their computer in order to access and browse through restricted websites on the internet. However, users should not be tricked by the good qualities of the tool. DNS hijacking is one of many popular methods to redirect user traffic and generate ad revenue in the background. These types of ads can impacts user experience online in a very negative way, sometimes even causing major privacy and security risks.
| Name | Setli |
| Type | DNS hijacker |
| Distribution | Software bundling, official website, third-party sites |
| Symptoms | Altered internet connection settings; intrusive advertisements and redirects |
| Removal | Uninstall the app as per instructions below and reset your DNS settings |
| Further steps | After dealing with a DNS hijacker, you should also clean your browsers – use FortectIntego for a quick solution |
The fact that this program is also distributed with the help of software bundling (which means that users might install it inadvertently) does not help to paint a positive picture.
After installation, it starts causing numerous problems when browsing the web:
- advertising banners injected in unusual places of visited websites;
- the appearance of the annoying pop-ups;
- redirects to questionable websites;
- random texts are turned into hyperlinks.
Undoubtedly, the so-called Setli virus negatively impacts the browsing experience. But it might also collect information about users. Typically, ad-supported apps track information related to visited sites, recent search queries, clicked ads, and similar browsing-related information. All these details help to display targeted ads, which are supposed to be more encouraging. Thus, if users click, developers get pay-per-click revenue.
However, if you haven’t installed this program yourself, you might still find ads almost everywhere. The adware might get inside the system using the bundling method. Therefore, your browser might be bombarded with ads soon after the incorrect installation of the video player or other free programs.
No one can argue that an increased amount of commercial content and constant redirects to shady sites are annoying. But biggest threats are related to redirect problems. These forced visits to unknown sites might end up with a malware attack. Security experts from Hungary[2] warn that adware programs are often exploited by cybercriminals.
Therefore, you should act quickly after the hijack. Redirects, system slowdowns, and the freezing browser should not be tolerated no matter how much you want to binge-watch Netflix series or access another geo-restricted website. Your online security should be more important than it.
Thus, you can remove Setli using anti-malware software, for example, FortectIntego. The automatic elimination method is suggested if the program entered the system in a software package. It’s possible that other potentially dangerous apps were installed too.
However, if you have installed it yourself or want to wipe out this cyber threat manually, you should scroll down to the end of this article. There you will find instructions on how to perform PUP removal without a security tool.
The sneaky way to distribute potentially unwanted programs
The app is available on various download websites or file-sharing networks. However, the authors of the tool also rely on a popular software marketing method – bundling. It allows adding PUP as an optional component in a software package.[3] It means that you might find it offered to install with a PDF converter, media players, or other free programs.
However, if you rely on Quick/Standard installation, such programs might be installed without your knowledge. Bear in mind that these settings may not reveal what is included in the package, but install everything silently. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should opt for Advanced/Custom installation and reject such offers.
Uninstall Setli and revert your DNS settings
As we mentioned before, there are two ways to remove adware from the PC. The first method suggests doing this task yourself, while the second offers to take advantage of anti-malware. It’s up to you which elimination method you choose.
However, if you opt for manual Setli removal, you have to be vigilant and ensure that any adware-related entries are kept on the system. But if you go for the automatic option, you should not forget to reset your browsers as well.
Since the app changes DNS settings, perform these steps to return them to normal:
- Right-click on Start and pick Network Connections.
- On the right side of the window, find the Advanced network settings and pick Change adapter options.
- Right-click on your internet connection and select Properties.
- Click on Internet protocol Versions 4 (TCP/IPv4) and pick Properties.
- Here, select Obtain DNS server address automatically.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from 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 Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- 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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from 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 suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
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