Thefreeadv.com ads (spam) - Free Instructions

What is Thefreeadv.com ads?

Thefreeadv.com is used by crooks to generate revenue from push notification spam

Thefreeadv.com displays a fake message to get users to click "Allow"

Thefreeadv.com is a deceptive site that asks users to press the “Allow” button to confirm that they are not robots. The message can remind people of a CAPTCHA^[1] verification process but in reality, the site only wants people to click “Allow” to be able to show push notifications.

Users start getting spammed with annoying pop-up ads that can appear even when the browser is closed. Crooks may use rogue advertising networks^[2] that place ads leading to dangerous websites. As a result, by clicking on the links embedded in the notifications, users can end up on pages that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[3] and even malware.

The dangers of push notification spam

Thefreeadv.com ads can lead to various scam sites. Users report seeing pop-ups supposedly promoting a security suite by the name of McAfee. It is likely that these are phishing attempts. We previously wrote about the McAfee Total Protection has expired scam. It uses social engineering methods^[4] to trick users into thinking that their systems are infected by multiple viruses.

It should be clear that visiting such pages can have various consequences. Users can suffer from monetary losses, identity theft, and operating system damage. It is important not to get swayed by scare tactics used by fraudsters. Think twice before making a decision to press the “Download” or “Install” button.

Thefreeadv.com bombards users with fake security alerts

Distribution methods

Pages like Thefreeadv.com can rarely be found through search results. Most of the time they hide in other shady sites that engage in illegal activities. Illegal streaming platforms^[5] are especially tricky because they are unregulated. You may notice that they are filled with deceptive ads and sneaky redirects.

Even though Google said it would get rid of fake “Download” and “Play” buttons,^[6] they still exist. Nowadays, there are plenty of legitimate streaming services, like Netflix or Hulu, that require only a small monthly subscription fee. Users can consume as much content as they want for a fixed price.

You should avoid clicking on random links and buttons for this reason. Visit websites that you know and trust. Keep in mind that a legitimate CAPTCHA verification process should never ask you to choose between “Block” and “Allow” on a browser prompt.

Stop the intrusive pop-ups

Below you will find a manual guide on how to take care of your browser. Because push notifications are subscription-based, you will have to disable them yourself:

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.

Cookies and cache

If blocking ads via browser settings worked for you, now you should take care of your browser by clearing cookies and cache. They are used by almost every website to track your activity. They can store data like your IP address, geolocation, websites you visit, and things you purchase online.

Because you probably were browsing through shady sites, this step is essential. We also have an automatic solution for this if you want to avoid a lengthy manual process – FortectIntego. This powerful software can also fix various system errors, corrupted files, and registry issues.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
3. Select Browsing history, Cookies, and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
4. Click Clear data.

Remove adware from your system

If you completed the previous steps but you still experience unwanted symptoms, like an increased amount of commercial content, pop-ups, banners, and redirects you should check your system for an adware infection. It is an advertising-supported software that can generate advertisements on the machine without the users' consent on knowledge.

Most commonly, people infect themselves with adware by installing programs from freeware distribution platforms. They include additional apps in the installers and disguise them as “handy” tools. Many users skip through the installation steps so they do not notice.

You should always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The most important step is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated applications. And if you really want to keep your device safe, use only official web stores and developer websites whenever you want to install software.

Because it is unclear which app could be causing the problems, we suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes anti-malware tools that can automatically scan your machine and eliminate it completely. If you know what you are doing and want to do it yourself, here are the directions for Windows and macOS:

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