Download-readynow.com ads (spam) - Free Guide

What is Download-readynow.com ads?

Download-readynow.com promotes a browser extension that claims to block ads

Download-readynow.com is a site that advertises a bogus browser plugin

Download-readynow.com is a website that promotes a dubious browser extension called AdBlock Master. Even though it is promoted to block pop-ups and tracking, it does the opposite. If users add this application to their browsers they might experience an increase in commercial content, pop-ups, and redirects to random websites.

The aim of such add-ons is to generate revenue with ads. Additionally to advertising material, people might experience changes in their browsers like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine which raises many user privacy and security concerns. These kinds of plugins are considered to be browser hijackers, and they force users to use only selected channels for browsing.

Many of these rogue applications are promoted using deceptive tactics. Do not download apps from random websites. Even though you might see attractive claims that they block ads, increase speed and security, it is best to do your research first before making impulsive decisions. Look for information on external sources, read the reviews, look at the ratings and the number of users. If you cannot find any information besides the promotional website, it is best to ignore it.

Online dangers

The appearance of Download-readynow.com can be caused by careless browsing habits of users as well as adware.^[1] You could have been redirected to this page by another shady website you were on previously. Most of the time, these are pages that engage in illegal activities because they are unregulated, full of deceptive ads and redirects.

The add-on that Download-readynow.com promotes, may cause pop-ups and redirects

You might see that the extension is available at the chrome web store and think that it is completely safe. The reality is, sometimes these kinds of extensions get listed on official marketplaces because it is difficult for them to decide what is an unwanted program. It could be found useful by one user, and by another one considered to be a virus, so the chrome web store logo does not mean that the plugin is completely safe. Always do your research.

Shady websites and applications can not only bombard you with annoying ads that can be dangerous but also collect various browsing-related data, like your IP address, the page you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. This is not a bad thing at first sight – this allows website and application developers to personalize the user experience.

The danger comes from bad actors who can use these small data files, or cookies^[2] for malicious purposes. They could also be sold to third parties and used to target you with ads even more. In the past there have been instances of cookies being hijacked by cybercriminals, so you should be aware of who has the ability to access them.

We suggest clearing cookies and cache regularly, and there is an automatic solution that makes it easy – FortectIntego. This maintenance tool does not only clear your browsers but can also help in fixing some of the damage made to the system after virus infection, like various errors, registry issues, and corrupted files.

Remove the extension via browser settings

If you have added the application promoted by Download-readynow.com, you should definitely remove it. You can do that by going to your browser settings:

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:

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 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 the unwanted plugin and click Remove.

Safari

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Internet Explorer:

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.

Adware can operate in your system unnoticed

As we mentioned before, you could have been redirected to this website by adware, because it can rarely be found in the search results. Adware is a type of software that monetizes users' activities with different forms of advertising. If you notice pop-ups, banners, and that you get redirected to strange pages randomly, there is a big chance your system might be infected.

Adware is mostly spread on freeware^[3] distribution sites. Because the owners of such platforms do not get paid for giving away software for free, they include additional programs in the installers. These can be different kinds of PUAs (potentially unwanted applications),^[4] like spyware or hijackers.

Although we previously mentioned that even official web stores cannot always be trusted, they are still the best way to go if you want to install web-based applications. For computer software, try to use official developer websites as much as possible and avoid peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms.

There are also some security measures that you can incorporate when you install programs. Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation method, read the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy to find out what the app will be able to do on your system and what data will it collect. The most important part is to look at the file list and uncheck the boxes next to any files that look suspicious and unneeded.

The removal of PUPs can be tricky, so it is best to avoid them as much as possible. Often they get disguised as handy tools that you would not even suspect. This could be an antivirus suite, system optimizer tool, etc. That is why we recommend using trusted anti-malware tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes to scan your system. They can detect most suspicious processes in your machine and eliminate them automatically.

If you want to remove adware manually, you risk deleting the wrong programs because you do not know which one exactly is causing the unwanted behavior. Also, the uninstallation alone may not be enough. You can leave some traces behind (files, registry entries, etc.) which may be capable of renewing the infection. But if you feel confident in your abilities, you can follow our guide for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows

• 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 the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

macOS

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. 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:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.