Is Your Internet Explorer Infected with Adware?

This topic covers the removal of adware from Internet Explorer browser. Most users who required this procedure are those that were affected with malware or potentially unwanted program. Normally, malware and adware are injecting add-ons onto the browser in order to redirect web sites or display unwanted pop-up ads.

As long as adware and any potentially unwanted program are present on Internet Explorer, the whole system it at risk. Additional adware can be downloaded automatically using scripts embedded on the browser. You may also experience browser hijacking issues with the sheer intention of delivering dangerous web pages. It is vital to clean Internet Explorer at this point and remove all adware and malware from the computer.

Screenshot of Internet Explorer adware

Procedures to remove Adware from Internet Explorer

Technical expertise about computer troubleshooting is not essential to effectively remove adware from Internet Explorer. You just have to carefully execute what are stated on the procedures and utilize tools as recommended below. Keep in mind to download tools and software only from official web page, as stated on this guide.

Step 1 : Manually remove malicious Add-on from Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer web browser. On top menu go to Tools, and select Manage Add-ons from the list. It will open a window showing add-ons currently installed.

2. On the left panel, select Toolbars and Extensions. On the right panel, choose adware or any relevant items and click on Disable.

IE Add-ons

3. On the same area, select Search Providers on left panel. On the right panel, choose Google, Bing or any preferred Search Engine and click on Set as default.

4. Select adware, and click on Remove. Close the current window.

5. Lastly, change your home page to a web address of your choice. Go to Tools, select Internet Options.

6. Under General tab, locate the ‘Home page’ section. Type your preferred address to be the new home page replacing the corrupt adware. Click OK button to save the changes.

IE Home Page

If the procedures above didn’t resolve the issue, your last recourse is to reset Internet Explorer to its default settings. This procedure will override all changes made by malware.

Step 2 : Use AdwCleaner to remove adware from the computer.

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 malware.

3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner.exe to start running the tool.

4. If Windows displays a prompt saying, "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" click Yes to proceed.

5. On the AdwCleaner dashboard, click on Settings.

Screenshot of AdwCleaner Policies

6. While in the Settings window, please turn On the Reset Chrome Policies, Reset IE Policies, and Reset Winsock.

7. Go back to the Dashboard and click the Scan Now button.

Screenshot of AdwCleaner Scanner

8. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with malware.

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

10. AdwCleaner will then prompt an option to run another repair, which will reset Winsock and other settings. Please click the Run Basic Repair button.

Screenshot of Basic Repair

11. A message will appear stating that "All processes will be closed..." Please click Continue.

Image of Basic Repair Message

12. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of malware as well as other detected threats.

Step 3 : Scan the computer with Malwarebytes

Ensure that the computer is already free from adware, malware, or viruses by running another scan using Malwarebytes. This is an effective anti-malware tool that can detect things other security software failed to identify.

1. Download Malwarebytes using the link below.

2. Install the program with the default settings.

3. If Windows displays a message, "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" click Yes to continue.

4. On the next window, select the desired option, whether you are installing on Personal Computer or Business Computer. Click Next after selecting one. Continue with the installation process.

5. After the installation procedure, click on the Open Malwarebytes button. Choose whether you want to buy or activate the program. You can also run the trial version by selecting "Maybe Later."

Screenshot of Malwarebytes Setup

6. In the dashboard of Malwarebytes, click on the Scan button to start checking the computer for malware.

Screenshot of Dashboard

7. After the scan, the program will display the scan results. This is the part where you can Quarantine or Remove identified items associated with malware.

8. Please close the program and restart the computer.

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