Understanding and Eliminating OnlineSR Adware

OFFERSome threats reinstall themselves if you don't delete their core files. We recommend downloading SpyHunter to remove harmful programs for you. This may save you hours and ensure you don't harm your system by deleting the wrong files.

Download SpyHunter (Free Remover*)

*7-day Free Trial w/Credit card, no charge upfront or if you cancel up to 2 days before expiration; Subscription price varies per region w/ auto renewal unless you timely cancel; notification before you are billed; 30-day money-back guarantee; Read full terms and more information about free remover.

In recent times, the digital community has been buzzing with discussions about an intrusive adware known as OnlineSR. This piece aims to shed light on what OnlineSR is, delve into the specifics of OnlineSR adware, and provide practical advice for identifying and removing it from affected systems.

What is OnlineSR.exe?

OnlineSR.exe, in its essence, is associated with executable files that are often bundled with free software applications. Users may unknowingly install these applications, which in turn initiates the OnlineSR.exe process. This process is responsible for displaying unsolicited ads directly on the desktop, particularly after a Windows update or system changes.

What is OnlineSR Adware?

OnlineSR adware refers to potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) , like RapidPCTuner, that generate intrusive advertisements. These ads appear without the user’s consent, usually in the bottom right corner of the screen, disrupting the user experience. Unlike conventional browser-based ads, OnlineSR adware bypasses browser settings and permissions, making it harder to trace and eliminate.

Key Characteristics

• Source: It’s commonly linked to free software like Smart Game Booster, IObit Uninstaller, and Driver Booster.
• Behavior: Generates ads outside of browser environments, directly on the desktop.
• Identification: Recognizable through the process ‘OnlineSR.exe’ in the task manager.

Identifying and Removing OnlineSR Adware

Tools and Methods

• Anti-Malware Software: Utilize reputable anti-malware software capable of detecting and removing more sophisticated threats. Programs specifically designed to combat malware offer a better chance at a thorough cleanup.
• Process Explorer: An advanced tool that helps identify specific processes responsible for displaying ads. Running Process Explorer as an administrator and utilizing its crosshair feature can pinpoint ‘OnlineSR.exe’ as the culprit.
• Manual Tracing: Users have found ‘OnlineSR.exe’ in directories associated with free applications like IObit’s Driver Booster and Advanced SystemCare. Terminating the process or replacing the executable file with a harmless dummy file (‘dud.exe’) can temporarily stop the ads.

Permanent Solutions

• Uninstalling the Offending Application: Removing the software that introduced OnlineSR to your system is a crucial step. This often involves uninstalling programs like Smart Game Booster or any IObit applications and then manually deleting leftover files, especially the ‘OnlineSR.exe’ file.
• Security Practices: To prevent future infections, adopt safer browsing habits, refrain from installing dubious software, and regularly update your antivirus software for real-time protection against adware and malware.

Potential Risks of Ignoring OnlineSR Adware

Ignoring OnlineSR adware not only affects your system’s performance but also poses security risks. Adware can be a gateway for other malicious software, compromise personal information, and severely degrade the user experience.

OnlineSR.exe

OnlineSR.exe adware is a pervasive issue linked to free software applications, manifesting through intrusive desktop ads. Identifying and removing this adware requires a combination of using tools, manual file deletion, and uninstalling related applications. It’s paramount for users to maintain vigilant computing habits to mitigate the risks associated with such unwanted software.

SUMMARY:

Remove OnlineSR

To try and remove OnlineSR quickly you can try this:

1. Go to your browser’s settings and select More Tools (or Add-ons, depending on your browser).
2. Then click on the Extensions tab.
3. Look for the OnlineSR extension (as well as any other unfamiliar ones).
4. Remove OnlineSR by clicking on the Trash Bin icon next to its name.
5. Confirm and get rid of OnlineSR and any other suspicious items.

If this does not work as described please follow our more detailed OnlineSR removal guide below.

If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.

If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.

If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.

If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide.

Some of the steps may require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Next, Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).

Uninstall the OnlineSR app and kill its processes

The first thing you must try to do is look for any sketchy installs on your computer and uninstall anything you think may come from OnlineSR. After that, you’ll also need to get rid of any processes that may be related to the unwanted app by searching for them in the Task Manager.

Note that sometimes an app, especially a rogue one, may ask you to install something else or keep some of its data (such as settings files) on your PC – never agree to that when trying to delete a potentially rogue software. You need to make sure that everything is removed from your PC to get rid of the malware. Also, if you aren’t allowed to go through with the uninstallation, proceed with the guide, and try again after you’ve completed everything else.

• Uninstalling the rogue app
• Killing any rogue processes

Type Apps & Features in the Start Menu, open the first result, sort the list of apps by date, and look for suspicious recently installed entries.

Click on anything you think could be linked to OnlineSR, then select uninstall, and follow the prompts to delete the app.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click More Details (if it’s not already clicked), and look for suspicious entries that may be linked to OnlineSR.

If you come across a questionable process, right-click it, click Open File Location, scan the files with the free online malware scanner shown below, and then delete anything that gets flagged as a threat.

Each file will be scanned with up to 64 antivirus programs to ensure maximum accuracy

This scanner is free and will always remain free for our website's users.

This file is not matched with any known malware in the database. You can either do a full real-time scan of the file or skip it to upload a new file. Doing a full scan with 64 antivirus programs can take up to 3-4 minutes per file.

Full ScanUpload New File

Drag and Drop File Here To Scan

Upload File

Analyzing 0 s

Each file will be scanned with up to 64 antivirus programs to ensure maximum accuracy

This scanner is based on VirusTotal's API. By submitting data to it, you agree to their Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and to the sharing of your sample submission with the security community. Please do not submit files with personal information if you do not want them to be shared.

---

After that, if the rogue process is still visible in the Task Manager, right-click it again and select End Process.

Undo OnlineSR changes made to different system settings

It’s possible that OnlineSR has affected various parts of your system, making changes to their settings. This can enable the malware to stay on the computer or automatically reinstall itself after you’ve seemingly deleted it. Therefore, you need to check the following elements by going to the Start Menu, searching for them, and pressing Enter to open them and to see if anything has been changed there without your approval. Then you must undo any unwanted changes made to these settings in the way shown below:

• DNS
• Hosts
• Startup
• Task
  Scheduler
• Services
• Registry

Type in Start Menu: View network connections

Right-click on your primary network, go to Properties, and do this:

Type in Start Menu: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Type in the Start Menu: Startup apps

Type in the Start Menu: Task Scheduler

Type in the Start Menu: Services

Type in the Start Menu: Registry Editor

Press Ctrl + F to open the search window

Remove OnlineSR from your browsers