AVBoost ads (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Instructions
AVBoost ads Removal Guide
What is AVBoost ads?
AVBoost ads might flood your browser after installing Settings Manager
AVBoost is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that might arrive on the system as an optional component in a software package. This application is promoted as a Settings Manager to control the volume and brightness of the device, turn off WiFi, take screenshots, and set a timer.
However, apart from these features, it also displays intrusive and aggressive online ads that might show up in the form of pop-up, in-text, banner, and any other possible form. This adware seems to be related to Settings Manager by Aztec Media Inc. So if you want to get rid of spam content, look for that program on your system and uninstall it at once.
| Name | AVBoost |
| Type | Adware |
| Developer | Aztec Media |
| Distribution | Bundled software, ads, third-party websites |
| Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, information disclosure to third-parties, negatively impacted web browsing experience |
| Removal | Delete the unwanted app with the help of manual instructions below or scan your computer with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner |
| System fix | If you noticed that your PC is crashing or delivering errors after malware/adware elimination, use FortectIntego to fix these issues automatically |
After the installation, this ad-supported program modifies the browser’s settings and might employ a “virtual layer” to display ads on each visited website. These ads might promote undesired Internet sites (e.g., gaming, adult-themed sites), provide fake software updates (Adobe Flash or Java), or other questionable products and services.
Apart from this annoying activity, adware is also capable of initiating redirects to promotional sites as well. These redirects might appear when users start typing a particular address in the URL bar or out of sudden. Undoubtedly, this activity diminishes the browsing experience significantly. Thus, we recommend scanning the computer with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and going for automatic AVBoost removal.
Redirect problems are one of the biggest concerns related to this potentially unwanted application. Adware might display commercial content that redirects users to infected tech support scam, phishing, and other high-risk sites where cybercriminals await the next victims.
These ads might offer fake software updates, give misleading alerts of detected viruses, and suggest downloading unknown security or PC optimization tools. Clicking these ads might end up with ransomware, Trojan, or other malware[1] attacks.
The problem is that it might be hard to avoid commercial content provided by the PUP. Ads are usually flashy, eye-catchy, aggressive, and try to get user’s clicks. Sometimes they do not have a close button, or it still redirects to the sponsored website.
There’s no doubt that the only safe and effective way to escape this ad attack is to remove it from the computer. For more information, scroll down to the end of the article, where you will find illustrated removal guidelines.
Bundling – the main distribution strategy of the adware
Developers of this PUP apply a questionable software marketing method known as “bundling,” which allows adding the program to the software package as an “optional download.” Indeed, users can unpack the software and reject the installation of undesired apps. However, people rarely do that.
The majority of them rely on Quick/Recommended installation mode that does not openly disclose third-party software. Thus, the browser hijack might be the result of the incorrect installation of the program.[2] Undoubtedly, there’s a way to avoid PUPs. It’s called Advanced/Custom installation wizard.
This setup allows seeing the list of additional programs and allows stopping them from entering the system. Users just have to untick pre-selected entries and click the “Next” button to complete the installation of a necessary program.
Deletion of the AVBoost
To make these annoying ads go away from the screen, you have to delete the adware program from the computer and its components from web browsers. Our prepared instructions will show you how to remove the PUP step by step. We want to remind you that you have to be careful and attentive.
If you leave some of the adware-related entries, you will continue to see suspicious ads. Unfortunately, sometimes it might be hard to locate and delete these files manually. However, you can opt for the automatic AVBoost removal option and dedicate this task to a professional anti-malware program. Within several minutes your browsers will be virus-free.
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 AVBoost ads. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
The adware program might have arrived in the computer during the installation of some free program. Thus, you have to find and uninstall it.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 AVBoost 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 adware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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- ^ Andy O'Donnell. The 4 Scariest Types Of Malware. Lifewire. Tech How-To Guides & Tutorials.
- ^ Potentially Unwanted Programs and how to avoid installing PUPs. The Windows Club. The blog discusses & offers Windows 10/8/7 Tips, Tricks, Help, Support, Tutorials, News, Freeware Downloads, Features & more.