Serviceworker.click ads (fake) - Free Guide

What is Serviceworker.click ads?

Serviceworker.click seeks to generate revenue by displaying a fake security alert from Norton

Serviceworker.click can fool users into thinking their computers are infected

Serviceworker.click is a bogus website designed to look like a security alert from Norton. Obviously, Norton has nothing to do with this fraudulent campaign. Crooks are only using their name to appear legitimate and trustworthy. The site uses social engineering and scare tactics to trick people into thinking that their system is infected by multiple viruses.

The main purpose of the site is to generate revenue. That is done with push notifications, and redirecting users to the official Norton website. Crooks get paid through the affiliate program for every purchase. If users interact with the site, they may start experiencing fake security alerts that can appear even when the browser is closed.

Websites are incapable of scanning your machine and determining if there are malicious programs inside. That is why you should never believe such messages. If you have encountered this website and are experiencing unwanted symptoms, we recommend you read our guide fully.

Distribution methods

Sites such as Serviceworker.click rarely appear in the search results. Usually, they hide on other shady sites that are unregulated. For example, illegal streaming sites are full of deceptive ads, sneaky redirects, fake “Download” and “Play” buttons.^[1] That is why it is best to only visit websites that you know and trust.

Use legitimate streaming platforms, like Netflix or Hulu. They require only a small monthly subscription fee and users are able to watch as much content as they want. Do not click on random links and ads. Even if the advertisements seem to be promoting legitimate products or services, it is best to go to the source directly.

There is another possibility that the dubious page appeared without any user input. This can happen if you are infected by adware. It is advertising-supported software that can cause an increased amount of commercial content like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.

Serviceworker.click is mainly spread through shady websites that are unregulated

Freeware installations can lead to PUP infections

PUPs (potentially unwanted programs)^[2] can hide in the system and secretly monetize user activities. They are mostly spread on freeware^[3] distribution sites. They include additional programs in the installers and do not disclose it clearly on their pages.

If you want to avoid adware infections in the future, it is best to use official web stores and developer websites for software installations. You should also always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The most important part is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated applications.

Disable fake alerts

Fake security alerts can redirect users to dangerous pages. To stop annoying virus alerts you have to block the site permissions that allow it to show you push notifications. You can do that by following our step-by-step guide:

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.

Clean your browsers

After removal is complete, we recommend using FortectIntego repair tool to care for your browsers. Almost every website you visit uses cookies to track your browsing activity, like the pages you visit, links you click on, and purchases you make.

If you have pop-ups appearing from questionable sources it most likely means that you were surfing through web pages you should not and clicked on dangerous links. Your browsing data might be exposed or sold to advertising networks that use it to target you with ads even more.

Use anti-malware tools to detect adware

We suggest using trusted professional security tools SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes that can do this automatically. It should detect most suspicious apps and remove them successfully. Of course, you can also remove a PUP manually, but it is unknown which particular app could be causing annoying behavior, so removing it can be difficult if you do not have experience – you risk deleting the wrong applications.

Manual uninstallation can also leave some traces of the program behind which could result in the renewal of the infection. However, if you still do not want to use security tools and know which program is at fault, use our guide to help you uninstall it:

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