Gizmodock ads. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
What is Gizmodock?
For some security vendors, Gizmodock creates an impression to be a search engine. The others consider it to be an ad-supported browser add-on or, in other words, adware. We support those vendors who consider it to be an adware. Our security experts have carefully analyzed the official website of this app and tested the application for some time. Apparently, it is not responsible for modifications of a web browser’s default start page, search provider, and a new tab window. However, lots of people are blaming Gizmodock adware for that. In this case, most probably a software package ended up on your computer, what means that another program is responsible for the mentioned changes.
In reality, Gizmodock is a browser add-on developed by Howard Software Ltd. As stated in the official website, “Gizmo Dock is a browser application that adds integrated features that display in the search result fields. Gizmo Dock provides this as a swift reference service by placing the sites directly into the window you are viewing in the form of a flash dock utility.” In a nutshell, this application is not going to corrupt your web browser. However, it may supplement Google, Bing, Yahoo search results with additional content, namely “Ads by Gizmodock.” Some of them may show up as pop-up ads while the others as in-text links. However, even though it is stated that the content of links and ads are brought by reliable and trustful partners, nobody can confirm that. Therefore, clicking on the ads is at your own risk. Even if Gizmodock redirects would expose you to an unsafe website where you would catch another computer infection, don’t look for guilty ones because you’ve been warned about suspiciousness of the ads.
In addition, Gizmodock virus may also accumulate information about its users. To do that, it may use tracking cookies. The main reason why such activity is usually associated with privacy violation is an indirect requirement for user’s authorization. Besides, security experts warn that this add-on may slightly influence your PC’s performance and may severely diminish web browser’s performance. Therefore, taking into consideration all the downsides, it’s obvious that the best solution in this particular case is a thorough Gizmodock removal with the help of Reimage.
How can Gizmodock infect my web browser?
Gizmo Dock is typically spread along with free software. It means that the biggest chances to end up with this adware is to install free software carelessly. Besides, it is very important to inform people that software packages (freewares filled with third-party add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars, extensions) are spread both on questionable download sources and reliable file-sharing websites, including Cnet, Softonic, Soft32, Download, and so on. Therefore, selectively decide what kind of freeware to install and check whether it is filled with ‘optional’ add-ons and plug-ins or not. To do that, we recommend reading freeware’s EULA, Privacy Policy, and always check what is given under Advanced/Custom settings.
How can I remove Gizmodock Ads?
Unfortunately, Gizmodock ads cannot be terminated on their own. The only way to stop them from appearing on your screen is a full removal of the add-on. You can perform this task both manually and automatically. However, the usage of an automated tool is highly recommended since PUPs like this are usually spread along with other PUPs. Thus, a reputable anti-spyware will remove Gizmodock virus as well as all other unwanted apps.
You can remove Gizmodock automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware. We recommend these applications because they can easily delete potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Manual Gizmodock ads Removal Guide:
Remove Gizmodock from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
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Uninstall Gizmodock and related programs
Here, look for Gizmodock or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Erase Gizmodock from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Gizmodock or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Gizmodock from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Gizmodock and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Gizmodock removal.
Delete Gizmodock ads from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Gizmodock should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariGet rid of Gizmodock from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Gizmodock and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Gizmodock removal.
Eliminate Gizmodock from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Gizmodock and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Gizmodock removal.
Remove Gizmodock from Safari
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Gizmodock or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Gizmodock removal process.