Maincaptchasource: what it is and how to remove it
Maincaptchasource is a website that users might be redirected to if they have adware installed on their cell phones or computers. This rogue website is trying to deceive visitors into clicking the Allow button by either stating that they need to do that to prove that they're not robots or to continue watching some imaginary video.
Facts checked October 6, 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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Maincaptchasource: summary
| Distribution | Software bundles, fake Flash player updaters/installers, deceptive ads |
|---|---|
| Damage | Redirects might lead to malicious sites with various scams, malware, PUPs, etc. |
| name | Maincaptchasource |
| Type | Push notification virus, adware, PUP |
| IP address | 5.8.34.82 |
| Symptoms | Spam notifications appearing even when the browsers are closed, slower device performance, redirects to dubious portals |
| 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
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Name | Maincaptchasource |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Imitates | A human-verification check |
| Domains | pesoaniz[.]com |
| First seen | 1 March 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is the Maincaptchasource check real?
- Address:
pesoaniz[.]com
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Maincaptchasource
- PUPs and any other infections should be eliminated by using a reliable anti-malware tool
What the Maincaptchasource scammers want
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
Be cautious when installing software from bundles
Since people rarely install potentially unwanted programs of their own volition, PUP operators use a couple of techniques to trick them into doing that.
The first one is deceptive ads, stating that some apps will increase the device performance, locate cyber threats, download the latest drivers, etc. Usually, these are false claims, and the users end up with a worthless program that shows them tons of ads and pushes them to buy its useless licensed version.
The other method used to distribute PUP is software bundling. These packs are most usually downloaded from third-party software vendors and contain installers for numerous apps. The trick is that all programs are preselected for installation. So if you want to avoid adware, browser hijackers, and other PUPs, please select the Advanced or Custom (or alike) installation mode and opt to install only the app you initially wanted.
Why Maincaptchasource opens in your browser
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
Maincaptchasource is a website that users might be redirected to if they have adware installed on their cell phones or computers.
This rogue website is trying to deceive visitors into clicking the Allow button by either stating that they need to do that to prove that they're not robots or to continue watching some imaginary video. As soon as visitors subscribe to push notifications, intrusive advertisements will start popping up.
Most commonly, Maincaptchasource ads will appear as notifications either in the top-right corner or the bottom-right corner of your computer's desktop. On cell phones, they will be shown as notifications directly on the screen. These irritating ads might be shown even when your browsers are closed.
The worst part is that the ads might be deceptive and lead to other potentially unwanted program installations or even malware infections. It's great that you came to us to resolve this issue. We'll explain how an infection causing redirects might have ended up on your device, how it operates, and what are your removal options.
Potentially unwanted programs, such as Maincaptchasource virus, AllHugeNews virus, Pesoaniz.com virus, Hourtenwalk virus, and a myriad of others, have a tendency to advertise one another. That means if one PUP is installed, other infections might be lurking real close.
Their main goal is to trick users into clicking their shown ads. In most cases, these deceptive ads have nothing in common with the portals that users will be redirected to. An ad showing an amazing deal for a brand new TV or a breaking news story might lead to:
These affiliated promotion sites could pose a lot of risks for their visitors. If your smartphone or computer is infected with adware or other PUP, please refrain from clicking on any ads. You have to remove Maincaptchasource and any other PUPs that could endanger your privacy and safety.
Sometimes these threats can be eliminated manually. But to ensure that it's uninstalled properly, with all of its components, we highly recommend using anti-malware software. According to many user reviews, the best security software for this task is and . Launch the security tool, select full system scan, and let the app take care of Maincaptchasource removal.
Afterward, it would be best if you addressed the system's overall health. PUPs leave their traces in the system as well as suspicious websites. Therefore, IT experts suggest running system diagnostics with the powerful tool to take care of system-related issues and clean tracking cookies.
- pages where PUPs will be forced on them,
- porn sites,
- scam portals,
- gambling or gaming websites,
- pages with malware, etc.
What to do if you ran the Maincaptchasource command
Whether you ran the command decides everything else, so the first step checks that.
Step 1: Check whether the pasted command ran
Press Windows + R and click the arrow at the right of the box: it lists the last commands typed there.
A long line starting with
powershell,mshta, cmd or curl means the page's command ran, and it usually downloads a password stealer. If it is there, disconnect from the internet now and do every step below, including the passwords.If the list holds nothing like it, you only saw the page, and closing it was enough. The Run box keeps this history in Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 2: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 3: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions
Assume that the passwords saved in this PC's browsers, and the accounts that were open in them, are known to the attacker. From a phone or a clean computer, change the e-mail password first, then banking, shopping, social and gaming accounts.
Use each service's option to sign out of all other sessions, because stolen cookies keep a session open even after a password change. Turn on two-step verification on each account. Wait with the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC until the scans are clean.
Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Step 4: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back
Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu and click Task Scheduler Library. Select each task you do not recognise and read the Actions tab:
- a task that starts a file in
%AppData%or%Temp% - runs
powershellwith a long encoded line - opens a web address belongs to Maincaptchasource or a similar program
Right-click such a task and choose Delete, and check the subfolders too. Leave tasks from Microsoft, your PC's maker and programs you use. Task Scheduler is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
- a task that starts a file in
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
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
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)
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.
Uninstall from Android
Uninstall unwanted programs from Android device:
- Go to Settings -> Apps/Applications.
- Expand the full list of the installed apps.
- Scroll through the list and tap on a suspicious application once.
- Tap on it and select Uninstall.
- If the Uninstall option is unavailable, the app may require additional permissions to be revoked first.
- Reboot the device.
Clear storage and cache for Google Chrome or other apps::
- Go to Settings > Apps/Applications.
- Expand the full list of the installed apps.
- Tap on Chrome and select Storage & cache.
- Clear storage and clear cache of the app.
If you are seeing ads on top of other apps but are not sure what is causing it, perform the following steps:
- Go to Apps/Applications.
- Select Special App access.
- Tap on Display over other apps.
- Eliminate apps with these access rights enabled.
Stop browser notifications
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.
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
Properly remove Maincaptchasource virus with trustworthy anti-malware tools
As we're stated before, Maincaptchasource removal could be done manually, but that's recommended only for highly experienced computer users, as editing system files could be a tough task.
That's why you should entrust this process to a reliable security tool of your choice.
Start by launching your anti-malware software and updating its virus databases. It would help if you did that at least once a week. Select a full system scan and wait till it's done. Then select to remove Maincaptchasource and any other suspicious entries.
Sometimes the irritating notifications will persist. In that case, refer to our free tutorials below to reset your Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other infected browser. Afterward, run system diagnostics to eliminate all tracking cookies and restore corrupted system files and settings.
Questions about Maincaptchasource
What did the pesoaniz[.]com verification command do?
In ClickFix campaigns the pasted line starts a hidden PowerShell, mshta or curl process that fetches a script from a remote server and runs it. That script installs the real payload, most often an information stealer, sometimes a remote access tool or a loader that brings more malware later.
The exact payload of pesoaniz[.]com can change from day to day, which is why the safe response does not depend on knowing it: scan offline, remove what was added and change passwords from another device. Look in the Run box history with Win+R to confirm the command was executed.
Why does pesoaniz[.]com ask me to run a command to prove I am human?
Because the command is the attack. Real human checks, from Google, Cloudflare or anyone else, only ask you to click or solve a puzzle inside the page; none ever needs the Windows Run box. Criminals use this trick, called ClickFix, because browsers block malicious downloads but cannot stop you from running something yourself.
The page on pesoaniz[.]com mimics a familiar verification box to make the request feel routine. If any page asks you to press Win+R, open PowerShell or paste anything into Windows, close it. That one rule defeats every ClickFix page.
Is Maincaptchasource really from a human-verification check?
No. It is a web page made to look like a message from a human-verification check. Websites cannot scan your computer, see your files or know whether your antivirus is active. Real security warnings appear in Windows Security or in your antivirus program, not as browser pages with phone numbers, countdowns or prize wheels.
Close the page; nothing was installed just by seeing it. If you want to check, open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a quick scan. It shows the real status of your protection.
Is pesoaniz[.]com safe?
No. The site pesoaniz[.]com hosts Maincaptchasource, a page that imitates a human-verification check to scare or lure visitors. Do not open it again to check; the content can change between visits and may include downloads. If you see it once, close the tab.
If it opens by itself, a notification permission, an extension or a redirecting site is sending you there; the steps in this guide remove each of these. You can report the address to your browser so that others get a warning page before it loads.
Does a human-verification check ever ask me to press Win + R?
Never. Real checks from a human-verification check run entirely inside the page:
- you tick a box
- click pictures
- simply wait a few seconds
They do not use the clipboard, do not open Windows tools and do not ask for keyboard shortcuts. Any page that shows Win + R, Ctrl + V and Enter as steps of a check is Maincaptchasource or a page like it. Close it, and if you already followed the steps, disconnect from the internet and use the plan in this guide.
Is my computer infected?
Seeing the page does not mean the PC is infected. You reached it through an ad, a redirect or a notification. Check whether something on the PC sends you there: if the page opens by itself or on every site, look for extensions and notification permissions, and run a scan.
If you downloaded or ran something the page offered, treat the PC as possibly infected and follow the plan. A full scan with Windows Security gives you a clear answer either way.
How do I avoid pages like Maincaptchasource?
Keep the browser updated, do not click Allow on notification prompts from sites you do not know, and leave sites that open many pop-ups. Turn on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge under Settings > Privacy, search, and services, or Safe Browsing in Chrome under Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
Never call numbers, download files or paste commands because a web page told you to. An ad blocker from your browser's official extension store also cuts most redirect ads. Keep Potentially unwanted app blocking on in Windows Security as well.
Why does Maincaptchasource keep coming back?
Most often because a site has permission to send notifications, and those notifications lead to new scam pages. Remove notification permissions for unknown sites. Other causes are an adware extension, a browser that restores the previous session, or a site you visit often that shows such ads.
If the page appears outside the browser, a program on the PC is responsible; check Installed apps. If you cannot find the source, resetting the browser removes all of these causes at once.
Will Maincaptchasource come back after I close it?
It may, if the thing that opened it is still there. Closing the tab ends that one page, but a notification permission, an extension or an adware program can open A fake CAPTCHA on pesoaniz[.]com that asks you to paste a command again later.
Check the browser's notification settings and extensions first, then Installed apps for anything new. If the page does not return within a day or two of normal browsing, you have removed the source. If it does, reset the browser, which clears permissions and settings in one step.
Will Fortect remove Maincaptchasource?
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 Maincaptchasource, 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
- Howtogeek: PUPs Explained: What is a "Potentially Unwanted Program"? (read October 6, 2026)
- Odstranitvirus: Odstranitvirus (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to spot, avoid and report tech support scams (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)