Remove Ads by Grato (Complete Removal)

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

Can you see advertisements signed as “Ads by Grato” on websites that used to be ad-free? Pop-up ads, blinking banners and video ads powered by Grato are disturbing your normal web browsing? Don’t blame your web browser for that. You have a nasty adware infection on board. The “Ads by Grato” adware will turn your browsing experience into a nightmare. It will bombard you with all kinds of coupons, discounts and special deals. Every time you click on a link, the furtive utility will open an additional tab in your web browser. On top of that, your computer will become extremely slow. Even though you don’t “see” this tool, it is running on your machine. It consumes your computer’s resources. The malicious app is working on your CPU and uses a lot of RAM. Eventually, it will slow your device down to a crawl. It can cause some older machines to freeze and even crash frequently. Don’t risk your computer’s health. Track this pest down and remove it on the spot!

How did I get infected with?

We mentioned that the “Ads by Grato” adware is an actual program. But do you remember installing it? It is not a surprise if you don’t! This app tricked you into giving it permission to operate on your computer. It may have arrived as a bundled program to some freeware or shareware you downloaded off the Internet. Developers often attach extra programs to the installation file of many free programs. They would also present the custom/advanced installation method as a suitable choice for IT experts only. Don’t fall for that trick. There is nothing advanced in the custom installation. It is a simple step-by-step installation wizard, just like the standard one. However, only under it, can you see a list of all extra apps that are about to be installed. Be vigilant and doubting. Always opt for advanced/custom button or tab. We strongly advise you to deselect all additional apps that come along. Yes, they do look useful. However, if you take a moment to consider the situation, you will realize that if you truly needed such tools, you would have downloaded them by yourself. Don’t rush through the installation process. Take your time and read the terms and conditions/EULA. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, abort the installation immediately.

Why is this dangerous?

The Grato adware is using the so-called pay-per-click marketing system. For every ad you click on, the owners of the malicious app will be paid. For this reason, the adware will expose you to as many advertisements as possible. However, some of those ads are not safe. Yes, that’s right. There are malicious ads. If you have the misfortune to click on one, you will be redirected to an infected website. There, a drive-by download will be executed. Such downloads are automatic and almost completely invisible to the user. Hackers often use them for malware distribution. But, this is not the only reason why you should remove this parasite immediately. You must have noticed that all of the adverts you are seeing have something to do with your interests, hobbies or needs. This is not a coincidence! The adware is spying on you. Constantly! It uses the collected data to select ads that will appeal especially to you. The longer this pest remains on your computer, the more dangerous it becomes. It can steal your usernames and passwords. Therefore, do not log in to any banking services or social media while this furtive app remains active on your machine. Otherwise, you risk losing more than your privacy. Don’t put up with this. Track this parasite down and delete it on the spot!

How to Remove Grato virus

The Grato 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 Grato 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 Grato infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Grato in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Grato startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Grato in the computer memory

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

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Grato 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 Grato virus from the windows registry

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

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

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]

• 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:

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

• Open Google Chrome

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

• Open Mozilla Firefox

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

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Grato

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 Grato, 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.

• in the target field remove Grato 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 Grato 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.