Get-user-id pop-up message on Mac or Windows indicates an adware program to be hiding on the system

Get-user-id pop-up alert is a misleading notification that regularly shows up on websites like msn.com and asks unsuspecting users if they want to download some kind of user ID. The pop-up box is very primitive – it does not specify what kind of ID is offers to download or what is its propose. It contains a single statement/question and a download button. Although it does not seem to be dangerous, the pop-up is considered a security risk as it typically comes from untrustworthy domains, such as ad.yieldmanager.com, apushnotification.com, notice-booster.site, notify-monad.com, and similar.
Get-user-id alert means that the system is infected by a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1], namely adware. The latter is set to redirect the web browser to scam sites and automatically generate this controversial alert. Not only it disrupts a web browser but also poses a risk of downloading another unwanted application or subscribe to the Push Notifications from an untrusted domain. Consequently, the default web browser, be it Google Chrome or Safari, may start generating intrusive ads and perform redirects to malware-laden third-party sites.
| Name | Get-user-id |
| Type | Scam, potentially unwanted program (PUP), adware |
| Compatibility | The pop-up emerges both on Windows, Mac, and iPhone devices |
| Danger | Medium. It's not yet clear what content the pop-up is set to download, so clicking on it poses a risk of allowing the installation of a dangerous cyber infection |
| Related files | Once clicked, the alert downloads the get-user-id.js file and saves it to D:\Users\Username\Downloads\ location |
| Affected web browsers | Any web browser can start loading the pop-up |
| Removal | This scam alert means a PUP to be installed. Thus, a full scan with anti-malware is recommended. Alternatively, you can check the system manually and delete all suspicious entries. |
| Web browser's maintenance | It recommended resetting the default web browser's settings. Adware and browser hijackers tend to distort the browser's settings to enable ads and redirects. Therefore, without a full reset, the browser may keep exhibiting intrusive behavior |
| Fixing the damage | Download FortectIntego and run a full system scan with it to optimize the system's performance |
The reports about get-user-id pop-up alert are flooding Mac community forums[2] and other online discussion domains. People consider the notification to be genuine and, unfortunately, many of them have fallen to click the download button. According to users, intrusive notifications stopped upon downloading the get-user-id.js file, though the anti-virus program keeps popping up with an alert about a potentially unwanted program.
We strongly recommend people not clicking on the get-user-id pop-up because it's a scam. Experts are currently working on specifying its real purpose, though it's clear that is basically used for spreading unwanted browser-based applications. Please note that cybercriminals tend to use suchlike social engineering strategies to trick less experienced PC users into trusting ads like Get User ID.
Do you want to download “get-user-id”?
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Some cybersecurity experts relate the “get-user-id” ads with older Java versions and urge people to either remove Java completely or update to the Java Version 7 Update 25 (or higher). According to them, the older versions are extremely vulnerable and can be easily exploited by criminals.
If you are not using Java, get-user-id removal requires the careful investigation of the machine and the elimination of all suspicious/unknown entries. Windows and Mac users are recommended to scan the system with a professional anti-malware program since it's the most reliable way of cleaning the malware.
If, however, you are determined to remove get-user-id virus manually, you should check the system very carefully. Mac users should double-check the following locations for suspicious entries and remove all of them:
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/Application Support
- /Library/LaunchDaemons
Get-user-id pop-up ads on Chrome or Safari are intrusive, so leaving some related entries on the machine allows the notifications to keep returning. Thus, it's best to get rid of the malware package using a professional anti-malware tool. Anyway, we will provide a manual adware removal guide that the end of this article.

After the get-user-id virus removal, a scan with FortectIntego repair tool is highly recommended. Such optimization programs may ensure full recovery of the system after malware installation. Otherwise, some potentially dangerous entries may keep functioning with the registries, thus slowing down the system.
The web browser may start displaying intrusive pop-ups after incorrect installation of freeware
Based on NoVirus.uk[3] research data, most of the time potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are spread bundled with freeware and shareware. Therefore, incorrect installation of various browser helpers, download assistants, converters, and etc. can end up with the infiltration of PUPs – adware and browser hijacker namely.
Any freeware or shareware can be, in fact, a software package. The only way to find it out is to opt for Advance technique for its installation. This method will unravel all setup windows and disclose the presence of additional features (add-ons, toolbars, extensions, etc.).
Make sure to deselect all additional programs during the installation. If, however, you skip as pre-selected additional application and click Next, it will automatically be installed. Unfortunately, statistically, the majority of users in China, America, and Europe opt for the Quick installation method and, therefore, ends up installing bundles without even being aware of that.

Instructions for Get-user-id pop-up alert virus elimination
There are two methods that can be applied for Get-user-id virus removal. However, none of them requires clicking on the Download button. In contrast, seeing an offer to download some kind of ID should be considered as a potential danger prompting you to close the current web browser's window.
The pop-up Get-user-id is triggered by a potentially unwanted program, so it will not stop from being displayed as long as the related malware remains active. To uninstall it, you can either follow manual removal guide that is provided at the end of this article or run a full system scan with a professional anti-malware tool. Finally, double-check the system with FortectIntego to make sure that the registries, libraries, Temp folder, and other locations are free if intrusive entries.
Uninstall from Windows
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.

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.

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.

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.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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