FastdataX (Free Guide) - Removal Instructions

FastdataX Removal Guide

What is FastdataX?

FastDataX is the application that injects advertisements into web browsers and shows commercial content where such material is not found commonly

Adware.FastDataXFastDataX is the adware-type program that runs in the background while questionable commercial content fills up your screen and keeps from accessing content you want normally. FastdataX – the potentially unwanted program that falls into the category of adware due to advertisements in various forms that get injected on the websites you constantly visit. Commercial material related to this program comes in various forms like banners, pop-ups, boxes, blinking windows, and even in-text links. Such coupons, deals, and promotional content lead to other similar sites that contain questionable material also related to advertisers or redirects. This is one of many similar adware-type programs designed to collect data, transmit that information to remote sites, and expose the user to sponsored material.[1]

People online[2] ask about the suspicious intruder or the heuristic detection name Adware.FastDataX, that appears out of nowhere and cause particular speed and performance issues. In most cases, it causes those suspicions because PUP shows up out of nowhere and cannot be easily found on the system or removed. Even the experts who reported this suspicious detection claim that it gets injected into web browsers or other software and further affects the performance with advertisements.

Name FastDataX
Type Adware
Symptoms The program displays advertisements, coupons, offers, promotional material and other content related to advertisers, online services. It shows ads whether you want them or not and redirects browsing sessions to questionable pages filled with possibly malicious content
Distribution Insecure freeware installations during which bundling method is employed leads to infiltrations of such potentially unwanted programs that cause suspicious symptoms while running in the background of the machine. Other deceptive pages and shady services like freeware also rely on PUP distribution methods like this
Heuristic name Adware.FastDataX is one of the many possible detection names that this particular adware or related program can get indicated. This is the PUP that Av tools can find as suspicious or potentially dangerous. If that happens, delete the program as the tool suggests
Damage You should note that any potentially unwanted programs, especially adware and other applications related to advertisers, ad-supported sites can track, record, and collect information about users' online browsing preferences and similar activities. Such behavior can easily lead to privacy issues or even identity theft when personal data gets into the hands of third-party actors with malicious goals
Elimination FastDataX removal process can be difficult due to additional programs and files installed behind you back, so get a professional anti-malware program and run it on the system to fully detect all the PUP-related files and applications
Repair For those registry alterations and affected system settings, get a system optimizer or PC repair tool, or a cleaner like FortectIntego, and fix virus damage automatically without causing more issues

FastdataX, as any other infection that falls into the same PUP category, can collect personally identifiable information about the infected computers' user and any other people who visit the sponsored and affiliated sites. Information valuable for these PUP creators includes geographic location, browsing habits-related data, and other details about searches and preferences regarding the time on the internet.

This collected data is useful for targeted advertising campaigns or can even be sold to third-party companies and threat actors besides the FastDataX virus creators. This data tracking[3] is probably the most intrusive and frustrating feature that is not noticeable, besides the initial infiltration.

FastdataX creates an entry within the Microsoft Task Scheduler, so some people may find that their device is affected by the PUP by noticing this suspicious task. It is created to ensure the persistence and run needed processes in the background all the time to make the adware active after each reboot of the PC.

This way Adware.FastDataX can inject advertisements on any wanted page and affect the traffic, display pop-ups, pop-unders, and other types of commercial material. You should take this into consideration, and don't forget about proper system cleaning when you try to get rid of the PUP.

Even when you terminate the adware suing automatic AV tools, get a proper system optimization program and run the full check, so affected files get repaired. FortectIntego may indicate such issues and fix those damaged registry files for you. And when you are sure that you have successfully performed FastDataX removal, you can go through the web browsers and eliminate any suspicious toolbars, extensions, and applications that may cause additional speed problems. You may reset Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and other browsers to default fully, to reverse any unwantedly made changes. FastDataXAdware.FastDataX is the heuristic name of the detection when this PUP is considered malicious by AV tools. Advertising service FastDataX can place advertisements on any site and display push notifications, banners, pop-ups straight on the desktop too. This behavior significantly diminishes your time on the web browser and the machine in general, so you cannot use the computer as normal when PUP is on the system.

You should remove FastdataX as soon as you notice any symptoms because PUPs are known for delivering other toolbars, applications, optimizers, and software without asking for permissions or agreements. This way your device is fully controlled by the adware.

When Adware.FastDataX has the opportunity to run on the machine; it can:

  • change search engine or homepage settings;
  • affect the speed of the browser and PC itself;
  • install programs or even malware on the device;
  • show promotional ads;
  • suggest updates and installations of other apps.

The advertising material related directly to this FastDataX adware gets marked using: “Powered by FastDataX, “Advertisements by FastDataX, “Brought to you by FastDataX, “Ads by FastDataX” or “Ads powered by FastDataX. “ So when you notice any pop-ups, redirects, or banners marked with one of these, you can be sure that PUP is the one causing all the issues with speed and performance of the computer.

Don't panic when you encounter those AV engine pop-ups and alerts about possible infections. Even though FastDataX virus is not the proper term for the adware it still can lead to malware infections and more dangerous infiltrations when you are not paying enough attention to symptoms and stay away from cleaning the system fully. FastDataX PUPFastDataX is the potentially unwanted program that gets installed during other PUP infiltrations due to the bundling method.

Free program installation setups not disclosing all additional programs properly

Such advertising services, adware, and similar PUPs get bundled alongside other free programs, and this bundling method is not disclosed properly, especially when you get the software from unreliable sources like torrent sites, deceptive application promotions. Relying on official sources or initial freeware developers could help to avoid this, but users tend to skip through steps and trust the free online content more often.

It is important to pay close attention to these details and freeware installations. Choose Advanced or Custom options during the freeware downloads and choose the programs that you know and can trust, instead of allowing all the applications to get installed. Recommended or Quick installations mean that you agree to get everything that PUP developers and freeware providers included in the said package.

Read license agreements, installation options, pay attention to included programs, and cancel any suspicious programs. Build this routine and rely on Advanced options during every installation, to keep the machine PUP-free and clean.

Fight all the shady programs related to this Adware.FastdataX

FastDataX virus may be the more used term by users who got affected by the shady program, but this a potentially unwanted program that gets more and more annoying over time but is not malicious or dangerous as other more severe malware programs. Unfortunately, that does mean that malware can end up on the machine if you don't clean the cyber infection as soon as you can.

To remove FastdataX once and for all, we recommend getting a proper anti-malware tool that could check the system, various places on the device to find all associated files and applications, and remove them all during one system cleaning process. It is important because PUPs are, in most cases, dropped on the computer with other apps in the same bundle. When that happens all intruders help running the same activities.

During the automatic FastdataX removal process, you can get rid of all the tools and apps that run on the machine without permission. However, you still may need to alter settings on web browsers manually. For that, check the guide below.

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.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of FastdataX. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Get rid of the FastDataX PUP and make the system virus-free again by following the guide

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  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) Uninstall from Mac 1

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. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from 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. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Reset the browser to default, so any alterations made by FastDataX can be forgotten and reversed

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

You may encounter applications, toolbars or extensions added by the FastDataX on the Chrome, so make sure to delete them manually

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. 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. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 FastdataX 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

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Olivia Morelli
About the company Esolutions

References