Remove Traffic logger (Removal Instructions)

Traffic-logger.com is a suspicious web address that might start popping up on your browser seemingly out of nowhere

Traffic logger

Traffic logger is a phenomenon that users noticed when performing normal browsing activities on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or another web browser. Many claimed that they were suddenly interrupted by a browser redirect^[1] that lead to https://traffic-logger.com domain, and then returned them to their search provider, for example, Google. While this disruptive behavior might be annoying, it is also quite concerning, as such activities should never occur.

The reason Traffic logger redirect occurs is due to a potentially unwanted program, namely, a browser hijacker. PUPs can take different forms and be attached to the browser or installed on the system. One of the applications responsible for the unwanted behavior is the MP3 Downloader extension, so you should check whether it is present on your browser and uninstall it to stop the ads and redirects.

If the app remains on the system, it will track your non-personally identifiable information and send it to unknown parties. Besides, you might also be subjected to an increased number of ads, redirects, sponsored links in searches, etc.

Name	Traffic logger
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
Associated extension	MP3 Downloader
IP address	172.67.134.38
Distribution	Software bundles, deceptive ads, fake update prompts
Symptoms	The browser suddenly redirects to Traffic-logger.com and then takes users back to their search provider, such as Google; unknown browser extension is installed without permission; intrusive ads and redirects, sponsored links in search results, etc.
Risks	Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, personal information disclosure, financial losses
Removal	You can uninstall potentially unwanted programs by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware
Additional steps	Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings. To revert these changes and remediate the OS, perform a full system scan with Fortect Intego repair software

Many users might be surprised that their browsers are suddenly beginning to behave erratically – they redirect to unknown websites, insert ads into their searches, etc. This typically happens because most are unaware that a potentially unwanted program (or several programs) such as browser hijacker is installed on their systems – it can be attributed to a software distribution technique known as bundling.

Another way to install a potentially unwanted app is by getting tricked by deceptive ads, or fake update prompts. Alternatively, users might already have an extension installed that suddenly goes rogue, and the Traffic logger virus is likely to be the case.

Once installed, a browser hijacker immediately begins to change the settings of the used web browser. Some alternations might be visible immediately, for example, your homepage and new tab address might be set to something else, and search results redirected to Yahoo, Bing, Web Crawler, or another provider. It is not uncommon for browser hijackers to insert sponsored links at the top of search results.

Every time users click on ads injected by the hijacker, the developers get a small commission. With thousands of users having the program installed on their systems, creators can accumulate quite a lot of cash over time. Therefore, it is in their best interest to feed users with ads.

Due to deceptive distribution practices, users might be victims of traffic-logger.com redirects and ads. Since the web address is not tied with the program's name that is causing this unwanted behavior, Traffic logger removal can be a difficult task for many.

One of the best tips security experts^[2] can give in this type of situation is employing security software such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes and ensuring that browser changes are not caused by a much more malicious intruder, such as Trojan or a keylogger.^[3] If a security scan found something, ensure the threat is quarantined and deleted immediately. After that, you can also employ Fortect Intego to returned potentially compromised system files to the previous state.

Traffic logger virus

To remove Traffic logger virus from your computer, you need to find the associated program. Since it is likely to be an MP3 Downloader extension, you should follow the step-by-step guide below and eliminate it at once. You should also check whether other unwanted add-ons managed to get in without our knowledge.

Protect yourself from PUPs: easy tips

Software developers and distributors often deliberately hide optional components within the installers, which results in users being unaware of the offered software. This is why employing anti-malware with a PUP detection feature is so important, along with being attentive during the installation process of the freeware. However, not all security programs would immediately flag the PUP, as each vendor has different criteria for many of such apps.

Therefore, the best way to stay secure your computer from intrusions is to be very careful when installing software downloaded from third-party websites. Here are a few tips that should help you:

If possible, always download applications from the official websites;
Keep in mind that even the most popular websites bundle software, so you should always be attentive;
Before installing a program, you have never heard of, check the reviews and blog posts online to uncover if any suspicious traits that might only be visible after the installation;
During the installation of a new app, always opt for Advanced/Custom settings and avoid Recommended/Quick ones at all times – this will allow you to stay in control of the process from start to finish;
Remove all the ticks for checkboxes, watch out for misleading button placements, and decline all the offers on the way.

Traffic logger virus removal options

Traffic logger removal should not be too difficult, considering that its culprit is an extension attached to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, MS Edge, or another web browser. If you have never dealt with this process before, you can check below for step-by-step instructions. Thus, access the settings section of your browser and look for “MP3 Downloader” or another suspicious extension installed and terminate it immediately.

After you remove Traffic logger virus from your browser, you should also check the installed applications as per the instructions below. Look for anything suspicious – PDF converters, media players, system optimizers, etc. If those apps appeared on your system without your knowledge, you should immediately uninstall them. If you are having problems with this process, you can always rely on a robust anti-malware tool to do the job for you.

Uninstall from Windows

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.

Delete from macOS

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

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.

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.

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.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

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.

Remove from Google Chrome

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.

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.

How to remove Traffic logger

Traffic-logger.com is a suspicious web address that might start popping up on your browser seemingly out of nowhere

Protect yourself from PUPs: easy tips