How to remove Video18on.com ads

Video18on.com tries to convince people that their browsers are blocking access, so they need to press “Allow”

Video18on.com is a bogus website created by crooks to trick people into subscribing to push notifications. Clever social engineering methods are used to make the page look like it has a media player where users will be able to watch a movie. People are asked to press the “Allow” button to stream or download it.

However, by clicking “Allow,” users actually consent to receive push notifications. They start getting spammed with annoying pop-up ads that can appear even when the browser is closed. Moreover, the page could be using rogue advertising networks^[1] that place ads leading to dangerous websites.

By clicking on the links embedded in the ads, people can be directed to scam sites that try to lure out personal information or fool them into downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs)^[2] and even malware. Often people report seeing ads promoting adult sites, fake antivirus deals, surveys, and giveaways.

Distribution methods

It is unusual for fake pages like Video18on.com to appear in the search results. Usually, they hide on other shady sites that are unregulated. For example, illegal streaming pages contain deceptive ads and sneaky redirects. They can also display fake “Download” and “Play” buttons.^[3] Even though Google said it would get rid of them, they still exist.

It is not hard to see how someone would believe the scheme. If a person goes looking for a movie or TV show to watch for free, they might click on a fake “Play” button and get redirected to one of these pages. They might not even think that the site that opened was just an ad and does not contain the content they chose.

That is why it is best to use legitimate streaming services. They require only a small monthly subscription fee, and users can watch as much content as they want. By doing this, you will not be putting your privacy and security at risk and will be able to enjoy content without being spammed with shady ads.

Disable the pop-ups

The first thing you should do is go to your browser settings and see if you can disable the push notifications from there:

Google Chrome (desktop):

1. Open Google Chrome browser and go to Menu > Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced.
3. Locate 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

Protect your data while browsing

You have probably noticed that almost every website you visit asks to “Allow” cookies. They are small data files that can track data, like your IP address, geolocation, websites you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. Generally, this is not bad as it helps websites personalize the user experience.

However, fraudsters can use this information to make a profit. Cookies can be sold to advertising networks or other third parties. If the pages you visit do not have strong security practices, cookies can also be hijacked and used for malicious purposes.

That is why it is essential to clear your browsers regularly. This can be automated with a maintenance tool like FortectIntego. It can delete all cookies and cache and fix system damage, like errors and registry issues which is especially helpful after a virus infection.

Adware removal

Once you block the notifications, there is still a chance that adware^[4] is hiding in your system. You might be experiencing an increased amount of commercial content like surveys, banners, pop-ups, and redirects. We strongly suggest deploying professional security tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your machine if you have any of these symptoms. They can detect suspicious processes in your device and eliminate all the related files.

You can also remove programs manually, but it can be difficult to identify PUPs as they are often disguised as “handy” tools you use daily. It may look like antivirus software, system optimizer, media player, etc. Besides, manual removal can sometimes result in a renewal of the infection, as people fail to eliminate all the related files and entries. However, if you still want to perform manual removal, you can follow the instructions posted below for Windows and Mac systems:

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