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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jul 2021

How to remove Traffic Exchange ads

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Traffic Exchange is a site that shows false advertisements and promotional content

The image of Traffic Exchange ads

Traffic Exchange is a platform used to deliver ads to internet users all over the world and reroute traffic to various websites. However, this service is known to cooperate with such shady ad-supported[1] applications like traffic.io or online.io. 

Unfortunately, this collaboration is not good news for users, as they will suffer from constant redirects, pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other commercial content on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser. Traffic Exchange ads may cover the content of sites that usually do not serve promotions, diminishing the web browsing experience significantly. More ever, users might end up with poorly monitored sites or even phishing or malware-laden domains that can compromise online safety.

Name Traffic Exchange
Type Adware, potentially unwanted program
Distribution Software bundling, unsafe websites
Main dangers Malware infections, data leak
Affected browsers Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.
Elimination Check our instructions below or rely on ant-malware tool that can detect the threat for you and terminate it fully
Optimization Scan your device with FortectIntego for best results

Traffic Exchange PUP spreads bundled with various free applications that users can download from torrents, P2P networks, or other freeware downloads sources. After successful infiltration, the questionable adware sets up a browser extension and tracking cookies[2] to spy on user’s activity online.

Typically, the intruder affects each web browser and collects the user’s search queries, clicks, and information such as what websites the user has visited, what is the geolocation of the affected computer, and IP address as well. Such information is useful for ad networks and commercial services just like the adware. Based on these details, the adware generates targeted advertisements that display catchy offers and lure the user to click on them.

Traffic Exchange ads interfere with the peace of the user’s mind by appearing in new browser tabs or windows or as banners placed on websites that the user visits. It is important to know that these ads do not originate from these sites and they appear only because of this adware program. It is highly NOT advisable to click on these ads because they can hide links leading to third-party websites that might be dangerous.

Some untrustworthy websites provide corrupted links or malware-laden ads[3] that can harm the computer as soon as the user clicks on them. You should not tolerate these redirect issues that might end up with ransomware attacks,[4] infiltration of the banking trojan, or sensitive data theft.

Although Traffic Exchange ads might not be marked with typical “powered by” or “brought to you by” markings, you can detect what program is sending these intrusive ads to you by running a system scan with reputable anti-spyware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. You should run a full system scan with anti-malware as soon as you notice an increased amount of online ads popping up on the screen or your favorite websites.

Illustration of Traffic Exchange adware

Adware might sneak into the computer with the help of freeware

The adware spreads legitimately and can be installed with the user’s authorization only. People who get their machines infected with this ad-supported program typically are shocked to find that out because they have no idea when and how did such programs get inside their computers. To prevent the hijack, and as well stop other PUPs from affecting your computer, pay more attention to the information that software installation wizards provide.

Typically, installation wizards allow the user to choose preferred installation settings, and we highly recommend you to opt for the Custom or Advanced option. Either one or another option reveals all additional applications added to the primary program and allows the user to reject them. You are not going to be introduced to extra components if you decide to leave Standard or Default settings on – do not forget it!

Guidelines for the proper Traffic Exchange PUP removal

If you are looking for the manual Traffic Exchange removal guide, you can find it at the end of the article. However, before you go, we want to pay your attention to three main stages of the manual elimination:

  1. Uninstall suspicious programs, files, and other components from the system.
  2. Check browser extensions and remove unknown add-ons, extensions, or plugins.
  3. Reset each of the browsers installed on your PC.

If the ads come back or you want to speed up the virus removal process, you should obtain an anti-malware tool and remove Traffic Exchange with the help of it. Security experts from Hungary[5] remind us that having a security program installed helps to minimize the risk of adware attacks in the future.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

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.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

Did this guide help?

4 comments

  1. Laria

    Reimage removed this for me, because I couldnt find it on the system, although I tried.

  2. Thompson

    These ads still drive me insane!

  3. Marxz

    Dont trust ads that pop on your screen out of nowhere. Typically such ads are caused by adware, just like Traffic Exchange ads. Such ads can lead you to malicious pages, guys. Beware!

  4. ChristenKay

    virus!... dont trust these ads I was trying to access great deal at waterpark that these ads suggested and got redirected to suspicious gambling site.

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