Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - spam
Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension Removal Guide
What is Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension?
Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser hijacker can be intrusive and damaging due to the third-party content it delivers
Browser hijackers are supposed to be valuable but give no positive results
Adblocker & Privacy Protector is the program affecting the speed of the machine when the browser extension is installed and starts controlling the online behavior. The promotional content and developers' page, web store posts claim that the adblocker should help with unwanted ads and browser performance. It has no positive value and should be considered a PUP, so make sure to get rid of the program and any additional installs to save the machine.[1]
If the infection manages to run on the computer for a longer period of time, it is possible that speed issues become not the only problem. These browser-based infections, annoying stealthy intruders can ensure that these apps like Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension are launched from the start and reboot of the machine.
The hijacker is freely downloaded from the web, and people might fall for the promotional tricks and add the browser piece themselves, but the more concerning issue is the stealthy installation that happens due to the software bundling[2] technique borrowed from advertisers.
Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser plugin can be related to various third-party advertisers and ad-supported services, pages. The sooner you clear the machine, the better because these problems can lead to security issues and damage on the machine.
Name | Adblocker & Privacy Protector |
---|---|
Type | Browser plugin, redirect, hijacker |
Category | Potentially unwanted program |
Issues | Installation of other applications, browser-based programs, diminished performance, and speed |
Distribution | Deceptive online content, freeware installations, other pages |
Alleged purpose | Ad-blocking |
Elimination | Antivirus applications should help with the system clearing |
Repair | Try running the FortectIntego and find the virus damage |
Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension displays various content on the machine and those banners, pop-ups, redirects can be related to sponsored material that is required to visit and is difficult to avoid. In most cases, these redirects and additional browser windows are not easily avoidable or exited, so try not to click on ads or links as much as possible.
How to get rid of the PUP fully?
Browser hijackers like this and other potentially unwanted apps can manipulate various settings on the browser and change the homepage, new tab, default search engine preferences to its own site or third-party applications, services. This is intrusive and needs to be changed back to default.
However, it is not that easy sometimes because the program controlling the behavior of Adblocker & Privacy Protector runs all the things from the system. Those settings can get changed back to what you wanted, but the hijacker needs to be removed properly.
Experts[3] note that anti-malware tools are needed even when you are dealing with browser-based applications and intruders that mainly affect the performance of certain apps, not the main performance of the computer. However, people think it is difficult to remove Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension either way.
The delivery might include web store posts or deceptive sites
First, try to run the application like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes and scan the machine fully. This way your machine is checked thoroughly, and all suspicious programs get indicated as possibly malicious or damaging. You can find all programs affecting your machine. Files can be removed, and the intruder terminated.
Do not forget about issues caused on the browser by the intruder. This guide is for Chrome, but you can find instructions for other less common browsers below and clear all the Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension changes.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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.
Saving the machine from cyber infections
Adblocker & Privacy Protector claims to offer ad-blocking functions, so promotional ads or the post on web store can encourage people to install the browser plugin on purpose. However, there are no valuable features because this is the program that causes advertisements itself.
Once it gets installed on the machine, it triggers new tabs with ads, redirects to scammy pages, or even uses social engineering methods and leads to technical support scam pages like “Windows 10 May Be In Danger”. The push notifications, fake errors, and pop-ups promoting other intruders can create major issues with the system.
However, there is a big problem with the PUP that is responsible for Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension behavior. It is capable of changing registry settings, adding or removing files there, in other system folders. This way, PUP is persistent and difficult to remove if you have no knowledge of cyber threats and unwanted applications.
You might want to find this or different related apps manually. Advertisements might stop, but the behavior of the web browser can still annoy you if the program itself is running on the device. This is why you should stop browser pop-ups, clear unwanted tensions, and also eliminate threats from the OS.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- 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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension. Follow these steps
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- 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.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Adblocker & Privacy Protector browser extension registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser plugins
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. Howtogeek. IT and security guides.
- ^ Liam Tung. Google: Unwanted bundled software is way more aggressive than malware. ZDNet. Cybersecurity and technology news.
- ^ Zondervirus. ZOndervirus. Virus removal guides.