Websites Drawer adware (spam) - Free Instructions
Websites Drawer adware Removal Guide
What is Websites Drawer adware?
Websites Drawer adware may cause pop-ups, banners, and redirects on users' browsers
Websites Drawer is promoted as a browser extension that lets users draw and make captions on visited websites. In reality, this extension operates as adware,[1] which is advertising-supported software. It can cause an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.
Crooks may use rogue advertising networks[2] that place ads leading to dangerous websites. By clicking on links embedded in the ads people can end up on dangerous websites that try to lure our personal information, trick them into downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),[3] and even malware.
Fraudsters make money through pay-per-click advertising. They get a cut every time someone clicks on an ad generated by them. There are no benefits to keeping this plugin installed. Quite the opposite, it raises many user privacy and security concerns. Read our guide fully to learn more.
| NAME | Websites Drawer |
| TYPE | Adware |
| SYMPTOMS | Annoying pop-ups and other types of advertisements start appearing on the screen |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | Links embedded in the ads might lead to dangerous websites |
| ELIMINATION | Eliminate the extension through your browser settings; scanning the machine with anti-malware tools is recommended |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to get rid of any remaining damage and to optimize the machine |
Distribution methods
People usually discover browser extensions on disreputable websites. Oftentimes, scammers will utilize social engineering[4] techniques to make users believe they are obtaining a useful tool when it is actually malicious software in disguise. Furthermore, people frequently use unsafe download sources and install something unknowingly as a result.
The best apps are ones that go through an intensive review process before being listed on an official web store. However, you should always do your research too – read the reviews, look at the ratings, and check the number of users. Generally speaking, it's better to pick plugins with mainly positive feedback and thousands of users.
Be cautious of advertisements that look too good to be genuine. For example, if an add-on says it can improve your download speed, don't believe it because the reality is that your download speed depends on your Internet connection. Furthermore, always read descriptions in their entirety as scammers often make typos or other errors.
Clear your browsers
Nowadays, nearly every website and web application require you to accept cookies. If you've experienced pop-up spam in the past, it's likely because you were browsing through questionable sites that could still be tracking your activity. Cookies collect data such as the websites you visit, links you click on, things you type in searches, and what you purchase online.
This data can be sold to advertising networks or other third parties without your consent. We recommend using a repair tool like FortectIntego, which can automatically clear your browsers of cookies and cache, free up space on your device, fix corrupted files and system errors, and optimize performance.
Remove Websites Drawer adware
Websites Drawer adware can be removed by going to the browser settings and looking at the extension list. We recommend removing plugins one by one to see if you notice any changes.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Freeware distribution platforms
Many people search for software that they can install for free, even though it would normally cost money. However, the owners of these websites will often include programs that monetize user activity without the users' knowledge. So, you should always be vigilant during installation processes.
The best way to protect your computer is by being selective about the files you download. Always choose official sources for apps, even if it means spending a little more money. It's worth it to keep your system secure and running smoothly. If you do end up using freeware distribution platforms:
- Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods
- Read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
- Check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated applications
Scan your system with anti-malware tools
If you completed all the previous steps but you still experience unwanted symptoms, you should check your system for other PUAs. We suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes.
Manual removal of potentially unwanted programs can sometimes result in the renewal of the infection as users often fail to eliminate all the related files and entries. Besides, crooks often disguise them as “handy” tools so it can be difficult to identify them. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- 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:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
How to prevent from getting adware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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- ^ Adware. Malwarebytes. Cybersecurity Basics.
- ^ Zeljka Zorz. How does a rogue ad network function?. Helpnetsecurity. Information Security.
- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ Cynthia Gonzalez. Top 8 Social Engineering Techniques and How to Prevent Them [2022]. Exabeam. Information Security.