Terraclicks ads: what it is and how to remove it
Terraclicks.com is an ad-supported page people get redirected to once their web browser is affected by an unwanted browser add-on, extension, and similar component. Some victims have also reported about being redirected to hxxp://terraclicks.com/anonymous/ page and numerous ads during their searches.
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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Terraclicks ads: summary
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
|---|---|
| Name | Terraclicks |
| Type | Adware |
| Category | Potentially unwanted program |
| Danger level | Low. Infects only browsers |
| detected by AVs as | PUP.Optional.TerraClicks.ShrtCln |
| 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
| Symptoms | Delivers intrusive commercial content, causes redirects to suspicious websites |
|---|---|
| Ads caused by the pup | Waiting for Terraclicks.com; Looking up Terraclicks.com; Read Terraclicks.com; Transferring data from Terraclicks.com; Connected to Terraclicks.com. |
| Redirects to | hxxp://terraclicks.com/anonymous/ |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 7 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | terraclicks.com |
| Ads shown as | Redirects through ad pages |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 2 January 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Terraclicks ads dangerous?
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Terraclicks.com is an adware-type virus that can be detected as PUP.Optional.TerraClicks.ShrtCln by various anti-malware tools
Terraclicks.com is an ad-supported page people get redirected to once their web browser is affected by an unwanted browser add-on, extension, and similar component.
Some victims have also reported about being redirected to hxxp://terraclicks.com/anonymous/ page and numerous ads during their searches. If any of these issues have appeared, check the system for the PUP, which can be detected as PUP.Optional.TerraClicks or similar, depending on your antivirus type.
People may not even notice the intrusive activity of this program as the ads are displayed only when they start browsing the Internet and performing browsing sessions. However, note that even your favorite sites can be filled with Terraclicks ads or banner ads when infected with this adware.
It can also stop your web browser's functionality or even open random websites instead of ones you intended to visit. As a result, your browsing can be significantly diminished and you might start struggling each time while surfing the Net.
Terraclicks generates annoying problems for you because its primary function is to force you to visit third-party websites it promotes, or purchase useless programs from deceptive ads.
Unfortunately, you can never know what sites this potentially unwanted program (PUP) seeks to advertise, therefore, clicking on ads displayed by the adware can result in a web redirect to a potentially dangerous web page. You can spot the commercial content provided by this adware by looking at these slogans:
- "Ads by"
- "Brought to you by"
- "Provided by"
- so on
Additionally to these advertisements, Terraclicks.com affects the performance of your Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers you use by delivering error messages. Users are often scared because it may look like your device has malware or software issues. Do not panic the page doesn't open because of the adware program that you need to remove from the system if you notice similar messages:
The main thing adware like Terraclicks virus is known for the intrusive content, additional installations of browser extensions or toolbars and data tracking. Unfortunately, the minute this threat enters the system of your device it starts tracking your browsing activity and collecting non-identifiable information like IP address, location, most viewed websites and preferences in offers and coupons.
You need to perform Terraclicks removal if you want to get rid of this activity altogether. Various users complain about this PUP because it adds browser content, startup programs or even shortcuts on your desktop. You need to clean every browser that got additional unwanted material installed.
There is a possibility to remove all unwanted content manually but that takes time, and you cannot be sure that every associated program is deleted from the system unless you opt for automatic Terraclicks.com removal using anti-malware programs. A full system scan performed by these tools find all related intruders and cleans the system thoroughly. To fix the system further and eliminate virus damage, use .
Otherwise, you can end up on suspicious gambling websites, websites urging to "claim the prize" or directly hazardous Internet sites providing malicious downloads. Only one thing that we are sure about is that owners of reliable websites do not promote them via deceptive web ads and do not force computer users to visit their web pages by force.
So, if visiting untrustworthy third-party sites without an intention to do it is not something that you would like to avoid, you should remove Terraclicks from your computer.


From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Adware enters the system via software bundles
This adware does not come pre-installed on your computer.
Distribution technique used here is similar to the majority of other adware-type programs that are carried to the system as additional components. Such a distribution technique is known as software bundling.
Although software bundling is an entirely legal act, you have to be careful about software bundles since they can include several malicious apps.
So when you install any software, follow the instructions provided in the installer mindfully. Do not take Default or Standard installation settings for granted, since that includes your agreements to install all optional components of the software. You have to opt for Custom or Advanced installation option and then search for suggestions to install browser toolbars or extensions. For the best system protection, deselect all of them.

Check your browser and PC
- Address:
terraclicks.com
How to remove Terraclicks ads
How to remove the Terraclicks extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Terraclicks rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.

Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Terraclicks that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.

Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
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
To get rid of Terraclicks virus from Windows, uninstall every suspicious entry from your Programs list. You should pay attention to unknown developers and programs that you can't remember installing on your computer.
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
When performing Terraclicks elimination, do not forget resetting the browser to Default. This is a step that allows your Chrome to run smoothly again:
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
If you have found some rogue content in your Microsoft Edge web browser, you can eliminate all objects by performing these steps:
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)
Follow these steps and make sure that your browser is clear from unwanted content:
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
You can properly clean the Safari web browser from all adware-related components. For this purpose, try this method:
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
To uninstall Terraclick from MacOS, use with the help of the steps given below. Your task is to see all suspicious programs hiding in your Programs' list and uninstall them by moving them to Trash.
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
Refresh your Internet Explorer web browser by taking a look at this guide if help is needed:
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.

Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Terraclicks removal requires patience, unless you opt for automatic elimination
However, please, take a note that you must have anti-spyware on your computer to avoid the latest computer threats and detect them on time.
It is rather easy to remove Terraclicks. However, the task might seem confusing to users who have never tried to uninstall any software manually. Luckily, we provide a solution - easy-to-follow manual removal instructions. Please follow them attentively and you will eliminate this adware and stop "Terraclicks ads" for good.
Questions about Terraclicks ads
How do I stop terraclicks.com from opening?
Find and remove whatever opens it. Start with the browser's extensions page and remove anything you do not remember adding. Next, open the notification settings and take away permission from sites you do not recognise.
Then check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for programs added around the day the redirects began, and uninstall those. Restart the browser and test a few links after each step.
If terraclicks.com still appears, reset the browser, which restores the default search engine, start page and permissions without deleting bookmarks or saved passwords. Redirects that survive a reset in every browser point to a program in Windows, and a full scan is the next step.
Did terraclicks.com install a virus on my PC?
Very unlikely, unless you downloaded and opened something from the pages it led to. Redirect domains such as terraclicks.com sell your visit to advertisers; they do not need to install anything to make money.
What can be installed is the thing that causes the redirects in the first place, such as an extension or an ad-supported program that came with free software. That is why the checks in this guide look at extensions, notification permissions and Installed apps.
A full scan with Microsoft Defender afterwards gives you a clear answer about the rest of the PC. If the scan is clean and the redirects stop after removing the cause, you are done.
Why does Terraclicks show me ads?
Because that is its whole purpose. Terraclicks is an adware extension, and its operators are paid for every ad it displays and every click it gets. In this case the ads take the form of redirects through ad pages.
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.
Do I have to clean every browser?
Yes, if you use more than one. We saw Terraclicks in Chrome, Edge and Firefox, and each browser keeps its own extensions, notification permissions and settings. Chrome and Edge share the same extension format, so one installer can add the same adware to both, while Firefox has its own add-ons.
Check every browser on the PC, including ones you rarely open. If you sync a browser with an account, clean it while signed in, so that the removal reaches your other computers rather than the adware returning from them.
How do I know the ads come from Terraclicks?
Look for redirects to terraclicks.com. That is the trace Terraclicks leaves, and it shows up as redirects through ad pages. 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.
Why didn't my antivirus catch Terraclicks?
Many security products do not block adware or notification sites by default, because users often agreed to them, even through a misleading prompt. Notification spam installs nothing at all, so there is no file to detect.
In Windows 11 you can make Microsoft Defender block potentially unwanted apps: open Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking. If notifications caused the pop-ups, no scanner will report them; the fix is in the browser's site settings.
I clicked on one of the ads. Am I infected?
Probably not. Clicking an ad usually only opens a page, and a page cannot install programs on an up-to-date Windows PC without your help.
You are at risk only if you then downloaded and ran a file, allowed notifications, entered card or login details, or called a phone number shown on the page. Delete any download and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed, from a clean device. Call your bank if you gave card details. If you called a number or allowed remote access, see the next question.
Can adware slow down my PC?
Yes. Adware runs in the background, loads ad scripts, opens extra tabs and contacts its servers, all of which use processor time, memory and bandwidth. Ad-heavy extensions also slow down every page, because they inspect and change it before you see it.
The effect is strongest on older PCs and when several adware programs arrived together. After removal, restart the PC and check Task Manager for anything still using a lot of resources that you do not recognise. Speed usually returns to normal once the ads stop.
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 Terraclicks?
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 Terraclicks, 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
- AVG Support website: Illustration of Terraclicks virus problem (read October 6, 2026)
- Kaspersky Lab USA: What is Adware? - Definition (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)