Download-portal.net is used to promote a possibly malicious browser extension
Download-portal.net is a site created by crooks to promote a bogus browser extension. It is supposed to be a plugin with ad-blocking capabilities. However, the application may instead change the main browser settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine, or cause ad spam, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.
The main goal of such apps is to generate revenue for fraudsters. They raise multiple user privacy and security concerns because extensions can track users' activities. What is more, crooks might use rogue advertising networks that place ads leading to dangerous websites.
So instead of protecting you, the app can cause harm. The links embedded in the ads can land users on scam pages that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),[1] and even malware.
| NAME | Download-portal.net |
| TYPE | Adware |
| SYMPTOMS | The page promotes a bogus browser extension that can cause pop-up ads, banners, redirects, or change browser settings |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, bundled software |
| DANGERS | The pop-ups may lead to dangerous websites, changed browser settings force people to browse only through selected channels which raises many user privacy and security concerns |
| ELIMINATION | Go to your browser settings and remove the extension; scan your system with anti-malware tools for adware |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use a repair tool FortectIntego to clear your browser and get rid of any remaining damage |
Distribution techniques
It is very uncommon for such pages to appear in the search results. Usually, they hide on other shady sites behind deceptive ads and sneaky redirects. That is why it is best to only visit pages that you know and trust. Do not click on random links and ads even if they seem to be promoting legitimate products and services.
Most importantly, do not visit pages that engage in illegal activities because they are unregulated. For example, illegal streaming platforms can display fake “Download” and “Play” buttons[2] that open new tabs with questionable advertisements.
Install plugins from trusted sources
It is strongly recommended to only download apps from official web stores and developer websites. Apps that get listed on digital marketplaces have to go through an extensive review process. However, you should still do your research – read the reviews, look at the ratings and the number of users. Evaluate if it looks trustworthy. Some bad apps manage to get through so users should take responsibility for their safety.
Clear your browsers
One of the most important things you should do is to take care of your browsers. Websites and web-based applications can use cookies to gather data like your IP address, geolocation, pages you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online.
Cookies can be used to personalize the user experience – show relevant results. But for crooks, it is just another way to make a profit. They can be sold to advertising networks and other third parties. Cookies can also be hijacked and used for malicious purposes so it is very important to delete them regularly.
We recommend using a maintenance tool like FortectIntego because it can do this with a click of a button. This powerful software can also fix various system errors, corrupted files, and registry issues which is especially helpful after a virus infection.
How to remove an unwanted extension?
If you installed the bogus extension from Download-portal.net, you should remove it immediately. If you did not, you should still check your browser from malicious add-ons as they could have caused the deceptive site to appear. We recommend removing plugins one by one to see if you notice any changes. You can follow the instructions below:
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.
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.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Scan your machine with professional security tools
If you completed all the previous steps but still experience erratic behavior, like pop-up spam, redirects, and changed settings, proceed with this step. Adware[3] is a program that hides in the background of the machine and generates commercial content. If you have it, it may be the reason why Download-portal.net appeared on your screen.
PUAs are often disguised as “handy” tools to make it more difficult for average users to identify them. The program that is causing the unwanted symptoms could have any name or icon. We suggest using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- 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.
Windows 7/XP:
- 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.
Mac:
- 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.
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