FoundFax.com ads: what it is and how to remove it
FoundFax.com is a malicious website that users might encounter at any time when browsing the internet. While in some cases it might start initiating a suspicious download, multiple redirects may lead visitors to malicious and infected landing pages filled with pop-ups, flashing windows, in-text links, offers, banners, and other commercial content.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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FoundFax.com ads: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted software, personal data leak to unknown parties, malware infection, monetary loss |
|---|---|
| Name | FoundFax.com |
| Type | Adware, malware |
| Related | hxxps://foundfax.com/22866954d5fb210deb.js[2] |
| Infiltration | Adware can be installed along with freeware from third-party websites or after being tricked by fake updates; additionally, redirects to a site might be a result of a click on a link or automated background script on another site |
| Symptoms | Intrusive advertisements are displayed on all visited websites, new tab address and homepage altered, new search engine added, redirects bring to suspicious sites, a malicious .JS file is downloaded in the background, etc. |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 7 more facts
| Termination | To get rid of adware, check the manual guide below. If you suspect that your system is infected with malware, you should employ anti-virus software immediately. In some cases, sync reset on Google Chrome or web browser reset can stop the FoundFax.com popups |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Program | FoundFax.com |
| First seen | 10 March 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is FoundFax.com ads dangerous?
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
FoundFax.com is a domain that may launch a download of a malicious .JS file
FoundFax.com is a malicious website that users might encounter at any time when browsing the internet.
While in some cases it might start initiating a suspicious download, multiple redirects may lead visitors to malicious and infected landing pages filled with pop-ups, flashing windows, in-text links, offers, banners, and other commercial content. This unwanted browser activity is typically introduced by an adware app that sneaked into the computer without permission.
While it would not be a problem, as it is AV's job to protect users from online dangers, many said that FoundFax.com pop-ups appear as often as ten minutes and are not associated with a particular Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, on another web browser activity.
Some websites on the internet are created for malicious purposes entirely, and FoundFax.com is one of them. The suspicious .JS (JavaScript) file that can be downloaded in the background might be an attack vector that could bring a backdoor, remote access trojan (RAT), data-stealer, or even devastating ransomware onto your computer.
The latter, such as Djvu ransomware, may encrypt your personal files and restrict their access until you pay a predetermined sum of money in Bitcoin. As you can see, FoundFax.com infection can cause a lot of destruction.
In most cases, unwanted redirects to suspicious websites like FoundFax.com start with the infiltration of ad-supported software. Users are typically unaware that they have it installed, however, and some even believe that the intrusive content is simply coming from sites that they visit.
Adware's main goals on the affected system include:
The gathered data is often used for marketing purposes and sometimes may also include personal information. While most adware apps do practice at least some type of data protection regulations, it is impossible to know if adware related to FoundFax.com redirects does so. Thus, your personal information, including credit card details, might be leaked online.
Nevertheless, those who are using powerful anti-malware software and are randomly shown the FoundFax.com pop-up simply want to understand why this activity is happening on their machines. The notifications are pretty intrusive, and users want to take care of FoundFax.com removal once and for all.
However, elimination methods for FoundFax.com vary depending on the cause of the activity. There are several scenarios that might be applicable to your situation:
- Display all types of advertisements on all websites that users visit.
- Redirect to scam, phishing, and other malicious websites.
- Alter web browser settings, including new tab address, homepage, and the search engine.
- Insert sponsored links into search results.
- Gather a variety of information about users' web browsing habits, etc.
- You had no security software installed and opened the .JS file that was downloaded automatically. In this case, do not delay and immediately perform a full system scan with anti-virus software such as .
- You had no security software, you did not execute the .JS file but you are often disturbed by ads. You need to get rid of adware from your machine - use anti-malware software or check the removal section below.
- You had security software, and FoundFax.com popups are showing on your screen frequently. The most likely cause of such behavior is either web browser settings or caches that are stored on Google servers. You should reset the installed web browsers; if that does not work, try to reset sync of Google Chrome as explained below.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
Watch out for software bundle packages and be careful when browsing the web
Security experts are constantly warning users about data breaches, new malware outbreaks, and lack of cybersecurity awareness not only among regular computer users but also businesses and corporations.
As a home user, you are immune to some of the dangers that malware can bring to the institutions, although all the damage caused by it is personal:
- monetary loss
- personal data compromise
- computer infection
- etc
It goes without saying that you should be careful when browsing the web - there are plenty of malicious websites that seek to trick you into paying for useless services or installing software that could harm your machine or spy on you in the background.
Therefore, you should be aware of scams, such as false virus alerts like "Your system is infected with 3 viruses," or fake update prompts as "Adobe Flash Player is out of date." Just to be sure, you could employ a web-shield feature that is implemented in multiple paid anti-virus solutions.
Finally, you should also be aware that adware and potentially unwanted programs are distributed with the help of software bundle packages. In most cases, users download what they believe to be an installer for one application from a third-party site, and, after completing the process, they find additional programs on their systems. This is because these installation wizards are deliberately hiding optional apps.
To avoid being tricked when dealing with new program installations, always opt for Advanced/Custom settings when prompted instead recommended, remove all the ticks from pre-ticked boxes, decline all the deals/offers, and watch out for fine print text.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rd of FoundFax.com ads and pop-ups
As already mentioned, FoundFax.com removal may vary depending on your particular situation and the infection level on your computer.
If you already have an anti-malware installed and you keep getting the annoying notifications, you should reset the installed web browsers as explained below. If that does not help, you should reset Google Sync - go to this page and press Reset Sync at the bottom. This action will clear caches from Google servers - these could occasionally store malicious settings for your account.
Access the installed application list and get rid of everything suspicious. Nevertheless, if you are unsure of what programs are legitimate, you should rely on anti-malware software do the job for you, although you should be aware that there is no anti-malware engine capable of detecting 100% of malware, so you might have to employ multiple security solutions.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on FoundFax.com
- Nevertheless, many users also said that their anti-virus programs like Avast or AVG are flagging FoundFax.com as malicious.
- Malware can sometimes negatively affect the Windows system.
How to remove FoundFax.com ads
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall FoundFax.com
FoundFax.com is removed like any other program, from the list of installed apps. In Windows 11 that is Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and in both you can also use Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Select FoundFax.com, click Uninstall and follow the uninstaller to the end. Then look at the entries just above and below it when the list is sorted by date: bundled programs install at the same minute.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of FoundFax.com that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To get rid of FoundFax.com-related adware on Windows, follow these steps:
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
In some cases, the reason for unwanted activities may lie in settings of Google Chrome. To fix this, reset the browser as explained below:
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 suspicious extensions 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.
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 Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
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.
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.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Reset Mozilla Firefox as soon as you finish the termination process of all PUPs:
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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about FoundFax.com ads
Is FoundFax.com a virus?
Most programs that appear the way FoundFax.com did are not viruses in the strict sense. They are potentially unwanted programs:
- real software that arrives bundled with other downloads and then shows offers
- changes browser settings
- starts with Windows
Some are harmless, some are annoying and a few carry adware. What makes it worth removing is that you did not choose it.
Uninstall it from Installed apps and check the startup list and the browsers for anything added the same day. If it refuses to uninstall or returns after a restart, treat it as more serious and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan.
FoundFax.com will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove FoundFax.com from Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
An ad showed a phone number and I called it. What now?
The number belongs to scammers, not to Microsoft or an antivirus company. If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. If you let them connect to the PC, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect or UltraViewer, and run a full and offline scan.
If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once on the number printed on your card. Change any passwords you typed while they were connected, and report the call.
Does adware steal passwords?
Ordinary adware is built to show ads, not to steal logins, and most of it never touches saved passwords. The line is blurry, though. Extensions that can read every page could capture what you type, and adware ads sometimes lead to phishing pages that ask for passwords directly.
If you entered credentials on a page reached through an ad, change that password from a clean device and turn on two-step verification. Otherwise, removing adware extension and clearing cookies is usually enough.
Why didn't my antivirus catch FoundFax.com?
Many security products do not block adware or notification sites by default, because users often agreed to them, even through a misleading prompt. Notification spam installs nothing at all, so there is no file to detect.
In Windows 11 you can make Microsoft Defender block potentially unwanted apps: open Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking. If notifications caused the pop-ups, no scanner will report them; the fix is in the browser's site settings.
Can adware slow down my PC?
Yes. Adware runs in the background, loads ad scripts, opens extra tabs and contacts its servers, all of which use processor time, memory and bandwidth. Ad-heavy extensions also slow down every page, because they inspect and change it before you see it.
The effect is strongest on older PCs and when several adware programs arrived together. After removal, restart the PC and check Task Manager for anything still using a lot of resources that you do not recognise. Speed usually returns to normal once the ads stop.
I clicked on one of the ads. Am I infected?
Probably not. Clicking an ad usually only opens a page, and a page cannot install programs on an up-to-date Windows PC without your help.
You are at risk only if you then downloaded and ran a file, allowed notifications, entered card or login details, or called a phone number shown on the page. Delete any download and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed, from a clean device. Call your bank if you gave card details. If you called a number or allowed remote access, see the next question.
What is FoundFax.com?
FoundFax.com is a malicious website that users might encounter at any time when browsing the internet. While in some cases it might start initiating a suspicious download, multiple redirects may lead visitors to malicious and infected landing pages filled with pop-ups, flashing windows, in-text links, offers, banners, and other commercial content.
Damage: Installation of other potentially unwanted software, personal data leak to unknown parties, malware infection, monetary loss. The summary table at the top of this guide lists the type, the detection names, the symptoms and the damage of FoundFax.com.
Will Fortect remove FoundFax.com?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For FoundFax.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Avast: foundfax dot com popup notification (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: https://foundfax.com/22866954d5fb210deb.js (read October 7, 2026)
- Heimdal Security: JavaScript Malware – a Growing Trend Explained for Everyday Users (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 7, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 7, 2026)