Remove Down Redirect (Adware)

Coming from a group of potentially unwanted program (PUP) is another browser threat called Down Redirect. It claims to provide an alternative website in the case that the web user’s destination page is down or inactive. At first glimpse, web user may view Down Redirect as worthy tool that also offers several enhancements to online browsing and searching. Shortly, they may discover that it possesses unusual behavior similar to a computer virus.

Down Redirect is an adware

Computer security professionals also categorized this program as an Adware because it presents intrusive actions particular in gaining access to the computer. It is too alarming that Down Redirect is distributed along with other potentially unwanted program. Such programs may be installed on the computer without authorization from the user. Often, it uses a deceptive technique to attract user and convince them to advance with the installation.

Like most suspicious browser extensions as New Page Finder and Renew Search, Down Redirect aims to primarily infect Google Chrome browser. The adware was publish to make changes in the browser targeting home page and default search engine. As a result, home page and search engine are set to use the service from unwanted provider like Downredirect.com.

Screenshot of Down Redirect

Getting rid of Down Redirect

The majority of the computer users who tempt to install Down Redirect choose to remove it immediately once they sense danger on the presence of this adware. Aside from warnings coming out of security application, excessive pop-up ads and redirects distracts them from surfing the internet. Ads by Down Redirect continuously pound the browser as long as the adware exists.

Down Redirect is one adware that many computer users find difficult to eliminate. It has extensions and other codes inside the computer, which cannot be deleted using normal virus scan. Therefore, we are providing you with special tools and scanners designed for specific threat like this one. Follow the guide below and rest assure that you will remove Down Redirect completely.

Down Redirect Removal Procedure

Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the Adware on compromised Windows computers. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful for deleting pop-ups and redirects. In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner

Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows

Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of adware like Down Redirect through this procedure.

1. Download the application from the following page:

2. Save the file to your preferred location.

3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.

CC for Windows Installation

4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.

5. The tool will update the signature file; please wait for this process to complete.

6. To begin checking for threats like Down Redirect, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.

CC for Windows Start Scan

7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Down Redirect adware, including all malicious objects from the computer.

Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.

Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if you are comfortable manually getting rid of the threat and malicious items linked to it.

Step 1 : Turn Off Sync on Google Chrome

At this point, it is crucial to turn off Google Sync to prevent Down Redirect from restoring if in case it has exploited this feature. Follow the procedures below to sign out and turn off sync.

1. Open Google Chrome application.

2. On top address bar, please type the following:

chrome://settings/syncSetup

3. Once you are in the Sync and Google Services, click on the Turn Off button.

Google Chrome Sync Turn Off Image

4. If it prompts for the confirmation, click on Turn Off once again.

5. The process will turn off the sync and logout the Google account as well. Please restart Google Chrome browser and proceed with the remaining steps.

Remove the Down Redirect Extension from Google Chrome

1. Open your Google Chrome browser.

2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Chrome URL

3. Find Down Redirect or any relevant entry and remove it from the Google Chrome browser.

Uninstall the Down Redirect Extension from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.

2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Firefox URL

3. Choose Extensions from the sidebar menu.

4. Look for an object that pertains to Down Redirect and remove it from the browser.

After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that pop-ups and other troubles will be gone from the internet browser.

Remove Down Redirect from Microsoft Windows and Edge Browser

1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R and then, type the appwiz.cpl command.

2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.

Add-Remove Malware

3. Select Down Redirect or a recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.

If Down Redirect is still present on the browser and there are still homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from the browser settings.

4. Open the Microsoft Edge program.

5. Input edge://extensions/ in the URL bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

6. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for Down Redirect from the Installed Extensions area. Additionally, delete the same object from the Search Providers section by executing the Hijacker Removal Procedure for Edge.

7. Close the window and restart Microsoft Edge.

Step 3 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus

To remove Down Redirect automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful virus and malware removal tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware; it is also effective in discovering adware like Down Redirect.

1. Download the Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.

2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the installation process.

3. On the first window of the installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.

4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch the Sophos Virus Removal Tool.

5. An internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove adware like Down Redirect.

6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for the presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Down Redirect and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.

Screenshot of Sophos Virus Scan

The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Down Redirect adware. However, if you find that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to the succeeding procedures below.

Step 4 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner

In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with the AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Down Redirect on the browser that were not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for the presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produce annoying pop-ups.

1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.

2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer, especially browsers affected by Down Redirect.

3. Browse to the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on the Scan button.

Image of AdwCleaner Dashboard

4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with Down Redirect. It will also check for suspicious entries in browser settings.

5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.

6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of the detected threats.

Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Down Redirect. If the adware still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to their default settings.

Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program

Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Down Redirect. The procedure below discusses on resetting various browsers to their default state.

Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings

Resetting Google Chrome to its default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extensions, such as Down Redirect. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty removing unwanted extensions.

1. Open the Google Chrome internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press the Enter key.
3. Click on Reset Settings on the sidebar and choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. On the confirmation window, click the Reset settings button to clear all entries for Down Redirect.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed the Down Redirect extension and associated objects.

Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default

This section describes how to remove unwanted extensions from Firefox that may be related to Down Redirect. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only a specific extension, please see the manual removal of add-ons from Firefox.

1. Input the string about:support on the Firefox web address and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section in the upper-right corner of the screen stating, Give Firefox a tune-up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If a confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Down Redirect should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.

Restore Microsoft Edge to Default Settings

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. On the address bar, please input edge://settings/reset and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Once you are on the Reset Settings page, click on Restore settings to their default values.
4. A confirmation window will appear; click on the Reset button to continue.

Your data, like favorites, bookmarks, and history, will remain in the browser. However, this process will delete add-ons by Down Redirect and other unknown objects.

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