Stags.bluekai.com (Removal Guide) - Apr 2018 update
Stags.bluekai.com Removal Guide
What is Stags.bluekai.com?
Stags bluekai – an advertising service which diminishes users' browsing experience
Stags.bluekai.com is the annoying alert that can interrupt your browsing on Safari, Chrome or other web browser. In most of the cases, people report about “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website Stags.bluekai.com” pop up that interrupts them each time they open their browser. If you are constantly redirected to a site which shows you such alert, check your computer for adware. We highly recommend running a full system scan for that as the name of the ad-supported software cannot be specified.
In general, Bluekay is known as an advertising service that helps companies personalize their marketing campaigns. Recently, it was acquired by Oracle.[1] However, despite the fact that the service is legitimate, many ad-supported programs take advantage of it and display ads or block users from entering certain websites. Hence, Stags.bluekai pop-ups have become a serious issue to those who are actively using eBay and similar websites.[2]
So-called Stags.bluekai.com virus travels in freeware bundles and can enter the system unnoticed. However, unwanted activities on the browser cannot be unseen. Just like other versions of the adware – Tags.bluekai.com virus, s7.addthis.com adware – this one might also:
- inject ads, pop-ups, banners and other types of the web ads on each website you visit;
- trigger redirects to misleading or commercial websites;
- turn text on websites into hyperlinks;
- install unknown add-ons, browser extensions or plugins without asking your permission.
Talking more specifically about Stags.bluekai, what is it and why it has been created, it's important to stress out that it is used as a questionable online advertising tool. It might be used for driving traffic to various websites which owners want to promote their services or products or increase sales. However, not all of them are legit and safe. According to our research, the adware might redirect to potentially dangerous websites too.
Redirects via this site might end up on the websites that are created for causing harm to computer users. For instance, you might be redirected to a fake online shop,[3] technical support scam website or site that spreads malicious content presented as legitimate browser add-ons or software updates.
The adware might also display various shopping offers or discounts for popular online shops. For instance, you might notice numerous ads on eBay. However, due to the previously mentioned redirect problems, you should not click these offers. The most annoying of them are considered to be these two alerts that block specific websites:
Safari can't verify the identity of the website: Stags.Bluekai
Do you want to save 36828.js from stags.bluekai.com? Save Cancel X
Therefore, Stags bluekai might cause bigger problems than diminished browser experience. You can be tricked into installing malware or revealing personal details[4] to cyber criminals. For this reason, you should not ignore annoying pop-ups or ads. In this case, act now and get rid of Stags.bluekai.com with the help of our guides provided below.
Stags.bluekai.com adware floods targeted browsers with unwanted advertisements.
Solving this problem without a delay is recommended as this is the only way to protect your computer and privacy. Otherwise, this PUP will keep tracking your searches and will transfer this information to interested parties. However, keep in mind that this ad-supported application can affect both Windows and Mac operating systems. Hence, it might affect all web browsers installed on the PC, including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc. Resetting web browser to remove Stags Bluekai fully is highly recommended.
It doesn’t matter which version, Windows or Stags Bluekai Mac, has hit you, adware removal principles remain the same. You can choose either manual or automatic elimination methods based on your IT skills and time you want to spend on this procedure.
We suggest opting for automatic Stags.bluekai removal method and saving your time. This option requires obtaining a reputable anti-malware software and scanning the system. You can choose FortectIntego or another security tool which is capable of detecting recent cyber threats.
However, if you want to remove this virus manually, you should scroll down to the end of the article. Our team has provided detailed and illustrated instructions how to get rid of the adware successfully.
Adware spreads hidden in software bundles
Nevertheless, ads seem to appear out of nowhere; actually, they are triggered by adware program which is designed to sneak into system unnoticed. It can happen because developers of PUP use bundling method which allows spreading adware together with various free programs.
Hence, after incorrect freeware installation, your browser might start redirects to https://stags.bluekai.com/site/ or display unwanted advertisements. By saying “incorrect,” we have in mind Quick/Recommended setup. These settings do not reveal about third-party programs but installs them by default.
Unfortunately, the majority of users rely on recommended settings because they seem easier to follow, security specialists from LesVirus.fr[5] say. However, PUP prevention requires using Advanced/Custom settings, monitoring each of the installation steps and opting out all pre-selected offered downloads.
Remove Stags.bluekai.com redirect virus
Our team recommends going for automatic Stags.bluekai removal which allows getting rid of the adware within a couple of minutes with reputable anti-malware software. However, we are aware that not all users are willing to get an additional software, and want to eliminate this cyber threat manually.
For this reason, we have provided a manual Stags.bluekai adware removal which will explain where to find adware-related files or other PUPs that may have arrived on the same software bundle as this nasty application.
You can find detailed instructions how to remove stags.bluekai.com Safari, Chrome, Firefox or other versions properly below. Don’t forget that each of the browsers on your PC may have been infected, so you should take care of all of them.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Stags.bluekai.com. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
To uninstall Stags Bluekai, you have to find and get rid of all programs that might be related to it. Follow these steps:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
To remove Stags.bluekai virus entirely, you have to remove all suspicious applications. Hence, you have to uninstall all questionable entries from Mac OS X:
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- 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:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Uninstall suspicious add-ons that might be responsible for redirects to this domain and reset Firefox:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Some of the Chrome extensions might be responsible for annoying activities on the browser. Remove them as explained below:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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
Stop ads and redirects by fixing Safari as shown below:
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Stags.bluekai.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ Oracle buys BlueKai. The official website of Oracle company.
- ^ stags blue kai ebay pop up. Apple community forum.
- ^ Colleen McKown. The American Greed Report: Online shopping scams: Eight signs you’re on a fake site. CNBC. The latest business news on stock markets, financial and earnings.
- ^ Stephanie Linning. Terrifying experiment reveals just how easy it is to get people to share personal details. DailyMail. News website.
- ^ Les virus. Les virus. Cyber security news.