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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2020

How to remove Exe.io

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Exe.io is a fraudulent website that seeks to get the user involved in advertising campaigns and delivers scam notifications

Exe.io virus

Exe.io belongs to the PUP and adware categories due to its scamming and intrusive advertising capabilities. The suspicious domain can start loading you with bogus adverts whenever you initiate surfing activities with any of the infected web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. One of the notifications is likely to be the “Your Norton Has Expired Today” scam and has nothing to do with the real and legitimate Norton company. You should press the “Remove Ads” button on the content that is provided by Exe.io virus rather than aiming for “Open”. Even though adware is not some type of dangerous malware, it can still trick you into continuing with a potentially malicious domain or downloading rogue security software that is considered to be “scareware”.

Name Exe.io
Type Potentially unwanted program/adware
Danger level Low. Does not permanently damage the system or destroy files, programs. However, there still is a level of risk when getting redirecting to an unknown website where potentially malicious content might be distributed
Tasks The main goal of this adware program is to earn income from the pay-per-click method by providing as many beneficial-looking ads as possible. The PUP can also start redirecting users to sponsored domains, collecting information about the user's browsing activities, changing web browser settings such as the homepage and new tab URL
Related scams Exe.io virus also is known for its scamming capabilities. The main scam it provides is called “Your Norton Has Expired Today” that has nothing to do with the original company and product
Spreading PUPs are mostly spread with the help of the “software bundling” technique through freeware or shareware that can be downloaded from unsecured websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, and download.com. The users who have set their downloading mode as “Recommend” have a higher chance of receiving adware and similar products on their PCs
Elimination If you have been recently dealing with this product and are completely annoyed with its activities, you can easily remove it with the help of antimalware software or by completing the step-by-step guidelines that have been added to the end of this article
Fix tip If you have discovered any compromised areas on your computer, you can try repairing them with the help of software such as FortectIntego

Exe.io virus is a threat that can include significant changes on your web browser's homepage and the new tab URL bar. There is a high chance that you will discover such types of modifications right after the adware attack. However, you are also likely to find your browsers filled with unwanted objects such as extensions, toolbars, and plug-ins.

All the changes that are completed by Exe.io can be reverted only by eliminating the app, so even if you try to bring back the original homepage of your web browser, it will only last very temporarily. The adware can also add suspicious processes to the Windows Task Manager or create bogus keys and place them in the Registry.

Afterward, Exe.io will likely show you some ads and start increasing the number of adverts while you are browsing the web. Adware[1] apps seek to collect pay-per-click income and, for that reason, the developers try to provide as attractive-looking ads as possible. Sadly, this usually involves scamming, fake offers and deals, non-existing prize claims, etc.

One of the main scams that are provided by Exe.io is “Your Norton Has Expired Today”. We recommend ignoring this notification and trying to close it as soon as possible. Do not fall for it or get involved in clicking the “Open” button as it has nothing to do with the real Norton company and its software. Do not trust the fake Norton logo either.

However, if you fall for Exe.io scam and hit the “Open” section, you can get rerouted to some type of domain that offers to install rogue security software.[2] These types of products only take space on the user's computer, provide fake virus and error alerts, and try to convince the user to purchase the licensed version of the software.

Exe.io

Nevertheless, the redirecting activity that is initiated by Exe.io can be more dangerous than it looks from the first view. Of course, it is very intrusive and annoying but the main risk lies in landing on a potentially infectious website. This way you risk catching a dangerous malware infection such as trojan that will cause severe damage to your PC.

Furthermore, Exe.io virus might include tracking technologies such as cookies or web beacons into your browser apps that will spy on your online activities. This way the developers will be able to see what things you are searching for online, your saved bookmarks, and other more personal details such as your IP address and geographic location.

When Exe.io gathers all the mentioned information, the developers will likely share the details with other parties for more income or use them in targeted advertising campaigns. As a result, you can end up seeing advertisements that are related to your recently searched offers but still can not be taken for granted as it is adware-based content.

To stop the intrusive advertising, redirecting, and data-collecting activities, you need to initiate the Exe.io removal process from your computer and web browser apps. Only by terminating the suspicious content from all affected areas, you will be sure that the ad-supported application is gone and will not repeatedly show up.

You can successfully remove Exe.io with the help of reliable antimalware products that are programmed to easily find and terminate PUPs. Also, you can try the manual step-by-step guidelines that are added to the end of this article. If you have noticed that your PC was also compromised in some type of way, you can try diminishing the alterings with FortectIntego.

Exe.io adware

Free software downloads from unprotected domains are likely to include PUPs

If you like using websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, or download.com for your downloads, there is a high risk of getting infected by a potentially unwanted program such as adware. This is especially valid for those people who have set the “Recommended” or “Quick” option as their default downloading mode.

According to cybersecurity experts from NoVirus.uk,[3] you should download and install products only from well-known developers and their original websites, otherwise, you will end up with the cracked version that can include PUPs. Also, do not forget to wisely choose the downloading mode for your apps. You should change the settings to “Custom” or “Advanced” where you will be able to opt-out of all incoming suspicious objects.

Furthermore, adware programs can end up on computer systems and web browsers through clicks on infectious adverts and hyperlinks. You should beware not to press on every type of content that you see on the Internet. Also, you should always have a reputable antimalware program running on your computer as this tool will alert if something deceptive is waiting ahead for you.

The complete removal guide for Exe.io virus

Exe.io removal has been explained by our cybersecurity experts at the end of this article. However, this option is manual and covers cleaning web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari by yourself. If you choose this option you will have to do both take care of your Windows or Mac computer system and refresh browsers to ensure that the ad-supported application does not return again.

However, if you think that the manual removal option is too difficult for you or you have been running in a lack of time lately, we recommend eliminating the cyber threat with reliable antimalware software. To remove Exe.io with the help of these tools, you will only need to download and run it. The entire process starting from computer scanning and ending with the elimination should not take more than 5-10 minutes.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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