How to remove Houbekuwucoo.com ads

Houbekuwucoo.com is a fake page created by crooks to monetize user activity with push notifications

Houbekuwucoo.com is a bogus website created by crooks that use social engineering methods^[1] to trick people into subscribing to push notifications. It displays a deceptive message that tries to convince users to press the “Allow” button. Users are made to think that if they press it, they will be able to watch a video.

In reality, there is no other content to explore on the page. Users give the site permission to show them push notifications and they start getting spammed with annoying pop-up ads that can appear even when the browser is closed. The ads may be placed by rogue advertising networks so people can end up on dangerous pages.

Such sites may try to lure out personal information, fool people into downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[2] and even malware. Users report starting to see ads promoting fake antivirus programs, software deals, surveys, giveaways, etc. We recommend following our guide to fully get rid of this problem.

Distribution methods

Pages, like Houbekuwucoo.com rarely appear in the search results. Most of the time, they hide on other shady pages that are unregulated. Illegal streaming sites^[3] are full of deceptive ads and sneaky redirects. They can even show fake “Download” or “Play” buttons that redirect users to dangerous pages.

You should only visit pages that you know and trust. Do not click on random links and ads even if they seem to be promoting legitimate products and services. It is always best to go to the source directly. Before clicking on any buttons, make sure that you fully understand what they do.

Cookies and cache

You should take care of your browser by clearing cookies and cache. They are used by almost every website to track your activity. They can store data like your IP address, geolocation, websites you visit, and things you purchase online.

This data can later be sold to advertising networks or other third parties. That is why security experts recommend clearing browsers regularly. We also have an automatic solution for this if you want to avoid a lengthy manual process – FortectIntego. This powerful software can also fix various system errors, corrupted files, and registry issues which is especially helpful after a virus infection.

How to disable push notifications?

Below you will find a manual guide on how to take care of your browser. Because push notifications are subscription-based, you will have to disable them yourself:

Google Chrome (desktop):

1. Open Google Chrome browser and go to Menu > Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced.
3. Locate the Privacy and security section and pick Site Settings > Notifications.
4. Look at the Allow section and look for a suspicious URL.
5. Click the three vertical dots next to it and pick Block. This should remove unwanted notifications from Google Chrome.

Google Chrome (Android):

1. Open Google Chrome and tap on Settings (three vertical dots).
2. Select Notifications.
3. Scroll down to Sites section.
4. Locate the unwanted URL and toggle the button to the left (Off setting).

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox and go to Menu > Options.
2. Click on Privacy & Security section.
3. Under Permissions, you should be able to see Notifications. Click Settings button next to it.
4. In the Settings – Notification Permissions window, click on the drop-down menu by the URL in question.
5. Select Block and then click on Save Changes. This should remove unwanted notifications from Mozilla Firefox.

Safari:

1. Click on Safari > Preferences…
2. Go to Websites tab and, under General, select Notifications.
3. Select the web address in question, click the drop-down menu and select Deny.

MS Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge, and click the Settings and more button (three horizontal dots) at the top-right of the window.
2. Select Settings and then go to Advanced.
3. Under Website permissions, pick Manage permissions and select the URL in question.
4. Toggle the switch to the left to turn notifications off on Microsoft Edge.

MS Edge (Chromium):

1. Open Microsoft Edge, and go to Settings.
2. Select Site permissions.
3. Go to Notifications on the right.
4. Under Allow, you will find the unwanted entry.
5. Click on More actions and select Block.

Freeware installations

If you completed the previous steps but you still experience unwanted symptoms, like an increased amount of commercial content, pop-ups, banners, and redirects you should check your system for an adware infection. Most commonly, people infect themselves with adware by installing programs from freeware^[4] distribution platforms. They include additional apps in the installers and disguise them as “handy” tools.

You should always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The most important step is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated applications. And if you really want to keep your device safe, use only official web stores and developer websites whenever you want to install software.

Remove adware from your system

Because it is unclear which app could be causing the problems, we suggest using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes anti-malware tools that can automatically scan your machine and eliminate it completely. Security software can also warn you before a malicious program can make any changes. However, if you still want to do it yourself, here are the directions for Windows and macOS systems:

Windows 10/8:

1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
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.

Windows 7/XP:

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.
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.

Mac:

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 entirely 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 suspicious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.