Remove Adclick virus (Removal Guide) - updated Sep 2018
Adclick is an advertisement service that might be abused by cybercrooks for profit
Adclick is a legitimate advertisement platform that helps website owners to monetize on ads shown to its visitors. While it's a great way to benefit the site owner, some bad actors may employ this service by using adware programs, which would display intrusive ads non-stop on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or other browsers. Legitimate ads shown on websites are embedded inside it, while adware-spawned[1] ones will come into sight on every site that you visit. Additionally, adware is capable of spying on users' browsing habits for targeting advertisement. Because of such dubious behavior, some people refer to this phenomenon as Adclick virus.
Summary | |
Name | Adclick or Ad-Click |
Type | Adware |
Infiltration | Software bundling, dubious websites |
Symptoms | Intrusive ads, redirects, sponsored links, etc. |
Main dangers | Malware installation, sensitive information leakage |
Elimination | Use our instructions below, and then scan your machine with Reimage Reimage Cleaner |
Technically, none of the security researchers would recognize Ad-Click as malware, because it does not possess the qualities of it – no system files are corrupted, neither does it propagate itself. That being said, adware does come into the system using a questionable distribution method called software bundling – shareware and freeware authors use this method to include additional components within their installation wizards and purposely try to hide potentially unwanted programs inside. Nevertheless, users can still opt-out of the optional installs such as Adclick adware.
Adclick ads, just as many similar ad campaigns (Ads by NewTab, Counterflix ads, Rocket Tab, etc.), can pop-up at any time, usually as pop-ups. These windows typically are marked as followed:
- Ads by Adclick
- Bought to you by Adclick
- Powered by Adclick
- Adclick ads, etc.
However, in most cases, ads will not be marked at all, which might complicate Adclick removal. Nevertheless, reputable security software can be employed to track down unwanted programs. Certain programs are also capable of preventing PUPs from entering the machine altogether, therefore, it is worth investing into one if you think that you are at a higher risk of the infection.
While adware is not a virus, it might lead users to potentially unsafe sites. Some domains might be injected with malicious JavaScript that can abuse system vulnerabilities and install malware automatically. In such case, ransomware, crypto-mining malware, banking trojans,[2] and other dangerous infections are just a step away. Therefore, Adclick ads should not be ignored, but should not be clicked on.
Additionally, the dubious Adclick adware might collect non-personally identifiable information about users. This data is anonymous, but might still be misused for advertisement purposes. Furthermore, personal details like email, name, address might be used in ad campaigns as well, including spam emails sent directly to the Inbox.
To conclude, security experts[3] recommend you to remove Adclick adware from your machine as soon as possible. You will find detailed instructions below this article. Additionally, you should scan your computer with Reimage Reimage Cleaner to make sure that all the changes performed by adware are set to default again.
Adclick is a potentially unwanted program that gents into the PC with the help os software bundling
Adware can infiltrate the PC without users noticing
Frequently, the adware-type programs are spread with the help of “bundling” strategy. The essence of this technique lies in attaching irrelevant applications to programs which are in daily demand. They include pdf viewers, download accelerators, media players, audio editors, etc. Thus, most likely, you happened to download one of them recently.
As a result, a potentially unwanted program entered your computer. If you are wondering how it happened – you used “Recommended” or “Quick” settings during the installation progress failing to notice the pre-marked add-on. Thus, we recommend selecting “Custom” or “Advanced” settings and unchecking the pre-marked attachment. If you stay vigilant, you can prevent adware hijack in the future.
Ways to remove Ad-Click adware
For Adclick removal, we recommend you check the step-by-step instructions below this article. You are advised to follow each removal step carefully in order to get the desired result and get rid of this adware completely. Otherwise, you will be stuck with the unwanted program until its core components are eliminated. After the process, you will have to reset each of your browsers individually – we also explain how to do that below.
You can also remove Adclick virus by using automatic removal tools that are capable of detecting adware. This option is time-saving and more convenient, especially for those less computer-savvy. Before you proceed, we recommend you choose appropriate security software, update it and only then perform a full system scan.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . 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.
To remove Adclick virus, follow these steps:
Get rid of Adclick from Windows systems
To eliminate Ad-Click adware from Windows, follow these instructions:
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
-
Uninstall Adclick and related programs
Here, look for Adclick or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Uninstall Adclick from Mac OS X system
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Adclick or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Adclick from Internet Explorer (IE)
Make sure you reset Internet Explorer after PUP elimination is completed:
-
Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Adclick and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Adclick removal.
Remove Adclick virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
-
When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
-
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
-
Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Adclick should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Delete Adclick from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Refresh Firefox the following way:
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Adclick and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Adclick removal.
Eliminate Adclick from Google Chrome
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Adclick and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Adclick removal.
Get rid of Adclick from Safari
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Adclick or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Adclick removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Adware. Wikipedia. Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Banker Trojan. Investopedia. Financial site.
- ^ DieViren. DieViren. Spyware reviews and news .
Removal guides in other languages
Your opinion regarding Adclick virus
You must be logged in to post a comment.
April 16th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Thanks for the tutorial!
April 16th, 2016 at 8:50 am
Those ads are so annoying.
April 16th, 2016 at 8:52 am
I have an anti-malware program on my PC, so such pests are no problem for me.