How To Remove Ads by AdsKeeper Pop-up Virus

Can’t Remove AdsKeeper ads? This page includes detailed ads by AdsKeeper Removal instructions!

Are you constantly interrupted by advertisements provided by AdsKeeper? Websites that used to be ad-free are now covered in ad banners and in-text ads? Every time you try to follow a link, additional tabs are being opened in your browser? If you have some of these symptoms, we must confirm your fears. Your computer is infected with adware. Don’t panic! We are here to help. Let’s start with the good news. The AdsKeeper adware is not a full-fledged virus. It is a malicious program that is installed on your computer. If you act promptly, you can remove it completely. However, if you delay the removal, hell will rise. The AdsKeeper utility is ad-supported. For every ad you click on, its owners will be paid. Hence, you will get exposed to numerous advertisements. If you think that your situation is bad now, just wait. The adware will turn your browsing experience into a nightmare. This program has full control over all web browsers you have installed on your PC. Yes, that is right. The adware controls all your browsers. If you have more than one, be absolutely sure that all of them are affected. Or, to be precise, infected. The adware can infect all known browsers. For their popularity, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox are its most common victims. Yet, there are no immune browsers. Also, don’t bother downloading a new one. The adware will infect it too. The only way to stop this ad invasion is to remove the adware. You can do it manually by following our guide. If you are a fan of automated solutions, download a trustworthy anti-virus program. You have options. The sooner you clean your computer, the better!

Remove AdsKeeper

How did I get infected with?

The AdsKeeper adware did not appear by magic. This malicious tool uses stealthy techniques to lure its victims into installing it unintentionally. The most commonly used distribution technique is the bundling method. Developers attach extra programs to the installation files of many free programs. Once you initiate the setup of such a wizard, you will face two installation options: a standard one and a custom/fast method. If you select the standard one, which is usually the recommended one, all attached programs will be installed without your further approval. Therefore, use the advanced option. This process is not complicated. It may be misrepresented as a suitable choice for IT experts only. This is a low-class deception. Crooks don’t want you to use the advanced method. Under it, you will be presented with a list of all programs that are about to be installed. Be careful. These third party apps, more often than not, are malicious. Install only the tools you trust. Take your time to read the terms and conditions. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, abort the installation. One more thing. This is your computer. You are the one who calls the shots. You can deselect all extras and still install the program you originally planned to set up. Other malware distribution methods include torrents, spam messages, and fake software updates. Your caution, however, can prevent these techniques from succeeding!

Why is this dangerous?

The AdsKeeper adware is designed to generate revenue for its owners, your comfort and security were never considered. The malicious tool will make you avoid your PC. It will flood you with advertisements. Soon, every website you visit will be covered in coupons and discounts. You won’t be able to watch videos online without being interrupted by a stream of obnoxious commercials. On top of that, your computer will start to perform poorly. Unfortunately, these issues are nothing compared to what the adware is doing behind your back. AdsKeeper is never idle. It has turned your browser into a spying device. It is now collecting information about you and your online habits. The adware knows your favorite websites, your search inquiries and bookmarks. Everything you do online is recorded. The furtive app uses this information for better ad-targeting. Thus, if you enter “sneakers” into some search engine, the adware will start to display “great deals” for sports shoes. It doesn’t sound too bad, does it? You will see discounts for items that you actually need. Well, you will see adverts and that is all. The question is: where do these adverts lead to? Hackers often use adware applications to spread malicious content. One click is all it takes for a virus or other malware to be downloaded. Don’t risk your computer’s health. Remove the AdsKeeper adware ASAP!

How to Remove AdsKeeper virus

The AdsKeeper infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the AdsKeeper infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the AdsKeeper infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down AdsKeeper in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate AdsKeeper startup location

STEP 3: Delete AdsKeeper traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down AdsKeeper in the computer memory

  • Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
  • Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate AdsKeeper startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

  • Open any folder
  • Click on “Organize” button
  • Choose “Folder and Search Options”
  • Select the “View” tab
  • Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
  • Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
  • Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean AdsKeeper virus from the windows registry

  • Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

  • and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

hosts-redirect-virus

STEP 3 : Clean AdsKeeper traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
  • Remove the AdsKeeper by clicking on the little recycle bin
  • Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

disable AdsKeeper from chrome

  • Open Mozilla Firefox

  • Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
  • Disable the unwanted Extension
  • Go to Help
  • Then Troubleshoot information
  • Click on Reset Firefox

remove AdsKeeper from firefox

  • Open Internet Explorer

  • On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
  • Click on Internet options
  • go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
  • Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

remove AdsKeeper from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by AdsKeeper

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for AdsKeeper, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

  • Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
  • go to Network and Internet
  • then Network and Sharing Center
  • then Change Adapter Settings
  • Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

  • Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

safebrowsing-biz-shortcut-removal

  • in the target field remove AdsKeeper argument and then apply the changes.
  • Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
  • Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove AdsKeeper Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.

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