YT Adblocker – a malicious Firefox extension that runs JavaScript to display suspicious ads

YT Adblocker is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the “adware” group of cyber infections. It is distributed via drive-by downloads and malicious JavaScrip[1] pop-ups from simplecalculator.xyz dubbed as “Firefox requires a manual update” scam. Once the user agrees with the installation of the YT Adblocker adware, it injects a malicious extension into Firefox's extensions list and starts performing the subsequent activities.
First of all, YT Adblocker virus should start generating predetermined ads. Not only the advertisements displayed by this adware program are irrelevant. Some of them may be aggressive regarding their amount, frequency and content. In most of the cases, ads that this virus generates promote less favorite online shopping sites, which is not very bad. However, some ads may offer to download suspicious software or take advantage of a free online scanner. Such offers can lead to malware infiltration, so be careful and remove YT Adblocker to prevent this from happening.
Although it happens quite rarely, YT Adblocker virus can act as a browser hijacker. Several people reported that after clicking on a malicious pop-up generated by simplecalculator.xyz domain, they found a start page and search provider replaced by an unknown one. Firefox's redirects to suspicious or even malicious simplecalculator.xyz web domains may follow such behavior.

It's important to remove YT Adblocker from the system asap to prevent information leakage to unknown third-parties.[2] This extension may be using cookies, which record and store personally non-identifiable information within external servers for an undefined period of time. However, did you know that PC's IP address, your full name, address, email address, approximate geolocation, and browsing history are also considered as non-personal? If you do not approve disclosure of such data to third-parties, do not delay YT Adblocker removal. The best removal option is automatic because all you have to do is to install FortectIntego.
The only reason why the number of adware infections grow is people's negligence
Adware programs spread in a form of browser add-ons or extensions. Usually, they are hidden under freeware installers and the only way to disguise them is to choose Advanced installation option. All additional installers will be revealed, but sometimes people fall for believing that the “free applications” coming along with the needed one will be useful. However, statistically most adware infiltrate PCs without user's consent.
To prevent bundled installers, you should always keep your guard up.[3] By this we mean that you should install are professional anti-virus, but do that after making a reasearch how powerful its AV engine is. Besides, don't forget to update it regularly.
Extreme carefulness is yet another precautionary measure that you should take when protecting the system from malware. Doyuble-check the download source and opt for Advanced/Custom installation. Then follow each window of the installation wizard and uncheck boxes saying that you agree to install web browser's add-ons, toolbars, extensions or whatnots.
Remove YT Adblocker adware to decrease PC's vulnerability
Although adware programs are not dangerous, they initiate various suspicious activities that can eventually increase PC's vulnerability. Consequently, these vulnerabilities can be easily exploited when visiting dubious websites promoted by YT Adblocker virus.
To keep the system safe, check the list of apps installed on your PC and initiate YT Adblocker removal if needed. The instructions below will explain the removal procedure in details.
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.

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