System-sms.com ads: what it is and how to remove it
System-sms.com is a fraudulent website that is considered to be unsafe by security experts. Once users land on the domain, they are presented with a request to agree to show notifications in order to view a promised 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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System-sms.com ads: summary
| Name | System-sms.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Push notification virus |
| Source | If you constantly get redirected to System-sms.com and similar suspicious websites, it might be because of adware installed on your computer |
| Infiltration | Push notifications enabled after visiting the site; adware enters machines with the help of software bundle packages |
| Symptoms | Redirects to suspicious or even dangerous websites, pop-up ads on most visited websites, notifications are shown on the desktop even when the browser is turned off, altered web browser settings, changed homepage and search engine, etc. |
| Dangers | Clicking on links and interacting with unknown content might result in the installation of other PUPs or malware, as well as personal data leak and money loss |
| 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 11 more facts
| Termination | To disable System-sms.com ads, refer to the instructions at the bottom section, as well as ways how to reset each of the installed browsers; for adware elimination, you can employ a manual or automatic method |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | system-sms.com |
| Ads shown as | Desktop notifications |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| Installed on the PC | Nothing; a browser notification permission only |
| First seen | 31 October 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What the System-sms.com ads ads look like
If your are 18+, click allow to play the video
Is System-sms.com ads dangerous?
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
System-sms.com is an insecure website that users might encounter on Google Chrome or any other browser due to PUP infection
System-sms.com is a fraudulent website that is considered to be unsafe by security experts.
Once users land on the domain, they are presented with a request to agree to show notifications in order to view a promised video. Site authors use social engineering skills by displaying the following message that implies that the content is X-rated:
However, the appeal is only there in order to make users allow notifications to be shown from System-sms.com, which come in the form of intrusive pop-up ads - these can show up at any time when the computer is on, even if Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or any other browser is turned off.
As evident, users should not agree to the request, as it will not provide access to the promised video - it will only enable the System-sms.com site to spam ads non-stop.
However, if, among System-sms.com, you run into sites that display offers, deals, banners, in-text links, other ads, or scam messages, there is a high chance that your machine is infected with a potentially unwanted program (adware).
In such a case, to remove System-sms.com and other content is shown on your web browsers, you will have to find and terminate the root cause - find all the details at the bottom of this article.
If you allowed System-sms.com notifications to be shown, they could be turned off easily via the web browser settings. Unfortunately, not many users are aware of how to accomplish that, and they are often stuck with unwanted advertisements. This is precisely what the developers of such sites like Facebook-info.com, Topernews.me, Fiterdiloin.pro and System-sms.com count on.
The trick of showing an allegedly to be played video is not the only one that System-sms.com authors might use. In other cases, for example, users might be asked to allow notifications to prove that the visitor is not a robot - it is a commonly used practice by multiple sites in order to prevent bots from accessing it.
In other words, System-sms.com relies on people who are unaware of the push notification feature (it is a legitimate technique and can help users see newly published articles from sites they are interested in) and measures to make them enable it may vary.
System-sms.com removal is not that complicated - all you have to do is disable notifications via your browser. However, if you are noticing some strange browser behavior, you will also have to eliminate all the potentially unwanted programs that were most likely installed behind your back. You can do that by following our guide below or using anti-malware tools.
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Software bundling is a deceptive technique that allows freeware authors to trick you into installing potentially unwanted programs
While users are already aware of the risk of downloading and installing pirated software or using software cracks, most are still unaware that pesky infections like adware are still relatively easy to catch. The lack of attentiveness and users' unwillingness to pay close attention to the installation process of free applications acquired from third-party sources often serve as the main reason for PUPs slipping into machines.
What is even worse, that, after the infection, some are unable to understand that they are infected, and keep clicking on links provided by adware. Thus, being oblivious does not help cybersecurity, that is for sure.
here are some tips that will help you stay away from potentially unwanted programs:
- if possible, download the application from official sources (Google web store, Amazon, etc.)
- before installing the app, check out some reviews about it online
- when downloading from third-parties, be wary of optional content clipped to the main installer
- be aware of tricks used to make you install the PUP without noticing: pre-ticked boxes, fine print, deceptive deals/offers, misplaced buttons, etc.
- always opt for Advanced/Custom installation settings instead of Recommended/Quick ones.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
system-sms.com
How to remove System-sms.com ads
How to stop System-sms.com notifications
Do this in every browser you use, and in every profile inside it: each keeps its own list of sites allowed to send notifications.
Nothing has to be uninstalled for the notifications themselves.
Which browser shows the ads?
Step 1: Remove system-sms.com from Chrome's notification list
Chrome keeps a list of every site you once allowed to send notifications, and
system-sms.comis on it. Pastechrome://settings/content/notificationsinto the address bar, find system-sms.com under Allowed to send notifications, open the three-dot menu next to it and pick Remove.Then click Add next to Not allowed to send notifications and type system-sms.com, so the site cannot ask a second time. Repeat it in every Chrome profile you use on Windows 11 or Windows 10, since each profile has its own list.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Google Chrome
Google Chrome
- Pick Menu > Settings
- Under Privacy and security, click Site Settings > Notifications
- System-sms.com entry should be under Allow section
- Click More Actions and then pick Block
Remove from Google Chrome
After you eliminate the unwanted program, you should also reset Google Chrome to set settings to default:
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.
Step 1: Remove system-sms.com from Edge's notification list
Open Settings and more (the three dots) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Remove
system-sms.comfrom the Allowed list, then click Add site next to Not allowed to send notifications and enter it there.Edge is built into both Windows 11 and Windows 10, so check it even if you normally use another browser. If the notifications came with the Edge logo, this is the browser that holds the permission.
Edge on Windows 11: Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Microsoft Edge
MS Edge
- Click More and pick Settings
- Choose View advanced settings
- Select Advanced
- Click Manage permissions
- Find System-sms.com and turn off notifications
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.
Step 1: Remove system-sms.com from Firefox's notification permissions
Open the menu (three lines) > Settings and click Permissions and data in the left list, then Notifications. Select
system-sms.com, click Remove Website and confirm with Save Changes.In versions older than Firefox 152 the same list sits under Privacy & Security, behind a Settings button next to Notifications. Firefox shows these notifications only while it is running, on Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Firefox on Windows 11: the Notification Permissions window. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox
- Select Menu > Options
- Choose Privacy & Security section and then go for Notifications
- Pick Settings – you should see System-sms.com entry
- Click on the the drop-down menu and select Block
- Save Changes
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.
Our tested steps are for Windows 11 and 10. For Safari (Mac), use the instructions below.
Instructions for Safari (Mac)
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Under Websites tab, pick Notifications
- Select System-sms.com and then choose Deny
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
Adware is a common problem for Mac users. Proceed with the following and get rid of unwanted apps:
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.
Then, whichever browser you use
Step 2: Scan the PC if you downloaded anything from the ads
If you only saw the notifications and clicked nothing, you can stop before this step. If a notification led you to download or run something, delete that file, then scan Windows.
In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan, then choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and Scan now. The offline scan restarts the PC and takes about 15 minutes on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
More removal instructions
For programs installed on the PC and older browsers. Open the one you need.
Get rid of System-sms.com notifications and adware
System-sms.com removal is depending on whether your machine is indeed infected with adware.
Therefore, you should first check the list of the installed applications and get rid of everything you recently installed (unintentionally). Even a more straightforward way is to scan your machine with anti-malware software that also incorporates a feature that scans for PUPs - all the unwanted components would be terminated automatically. Optionally, you could also reset all the installed browsers.
If no adware was found but your seeing notifications, you need to remove System-sms.com entry from the allowed list under web browsing settings. Here's how to do that:
Uninstall from Windows
To get rid of adware app that is bringing you to System-sms.com and similar sites, enter Programs and Features section:
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.
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.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about System-sms.com ads
How do I stop notifications from system-sms.com?
Remove its permission in the browser. The bottom line of each notification names the browser, so open that browser's notification settings and look under Allowed. Remove system-sms.com and any other site you do not recognise.
In Chrome and Edge this is under the site settings for notifications; in Firefox it is under Settings, Permissions and data, Notifications. Do this in every browser profile, because each one keeps its own list.
Restart the browser and wait a few minutes. If a message still arrives, read its bottom line again: the sending address can differ from the site you remember, and that is the entry still left in the list.
I clicked a notification from system-sms.com. What should I do?
If you only opened the page and closed it, nothing else is needed besides removing the permission from system-sms.com. If the page asked for card details, a phone number or a password and you entered them, act on that: call the bank to block the card, or change the password from another device.
If it offered a download, delete the file unopened, or uninstall it from Installed apps if you ran it, then run a full scan. If you called a number shown on the page, follow the steps for callers in this guide. Finally, remove the permission so that no more messages arrive.
Why does System-sms.com show me ads?
Because that is its whole purpose. System-sms.com is a push-notification spam site, and its operators are paid for every ad it displays and every click it gets. In this case the ads take the form of desktop notifications.
They are chosen by ad networks that accept almost any advertiser, which is why so many look like warnings or prizes. The ads are not a sign that your PC is broken or infected with something worse; they are a sign that something on it, or in the browser, has permission to advertise. Removing that permission or program stops them.
Is system-sms.com safe to visit?
No. The site system-sms.com exists to push visitors towards ads, and the pages it leads to include fake virus warnings, fake updates, prize scams and notification prompts. Visiting it once does not infect an up-to-date PC, but anything you click or download there is a gamble.
Do not enter personal details, do not allow notifications and do not call phone numbers it shows. If it opens by itself, close the tab and check the browser's extensions and notification permissions. Blocking the single domain helps little, because the operators register new names regularly.
Which browser is sending the system-sms.com notifications?
Each notification shows the name of the browser and the site in its small print. In the cases we saw, the messages from system-sms.com came through Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Permissions are stored per browser and per profile, so removing the site in one browser does not affect another.
If you use several Chrome or Edge profiles, check each one. If you sync the browser with an account, remove the permission while signed in, otherwise another computer may still hold it and keep receiving the same messages.
How do I know the ads come from System-sms.com?
Look for notifications from system-sms.com. That is the trace System-sms.com leaves, and it shows up as desktop notifications. Ads that appear on every site, including ones that never carried ads before, point to something on your PC or in the browser rather than to the sites themselves.
A quick test is a private window, where extensions are off by default: if the ads disappear there, an extension is responsible. If they appear even with the browser closed, the source is a notification permission or a program in Windows.
Did clicking Allow install anything on my PC?
No. Allowing notifications stores a permission in the browser and nothing else. No file is downloaded and no program is added to Windows, which is also why antivirus scans find nothing. The risk comes later, from the notifications themselves: they lead to scam pages, fake updates and phishing forms.
Remove the permission in each browser where you allowed it. If you clicked a notification and downloaded something afterwards, delete that file and run a Microsoft Defender full scan and offline scan.
Will Focus or Do not disturb stop the notifications?
Only for as long as it is on. Do not disturb in Windows 11 holds back notifications from all apps, including browsers, and releases them to the notification centre later. The site still has permission and the messages still arrive.
Use the browser's notification settings to remove the site instead: once its permission is gone, it cannot send anything, whatever Windows is set to. Keep Do not disturb for what it is meant for, such as meetings, presentations and quiet hours.
An ad showed a phone number and I called it. What now?
The number belongs to scammers, not to Microsoft or an antivirus company. If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. If you let them connect to the PC, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect or UltraViewer, and run a full and offline scan.
If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once on the number printed on your card. Change any passwords you typed while they were connected, and report the call.
Will Fortect remove System-sms.com?
No program removes System-sms.com itself, because there is nothing on the PC to remove: the notifications come through a permission saved in the browser, and only the browser's settings take it away, as the steps above show.
What Fortect can do is check the rest of Windows. Its free scan looks for malware, unwanted programs and damaged system files, which is useful if you clicked the ads, downloaded something from the pages they opened, or are not sure what else changed on the PC.
If the scan finds nothing and the notifications stopped after you removed the permission, this problem is solved. Use Microsoft Defender as a second opinion whenever you have downloaded files from pages like these.
Sources
- Lesvirus: Lesvirus (read October 6, 2026)
- CSO Online: Social engineering explained: How criminals exploit human behavior (read October 6, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (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)