Ads by AdsAlert

The instructions below should cover everything you need to remove Ads by AdsAlert from Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. If the name didn’t give you a big red flag up till now, you’ve been infected by an adware (a portmanteau word coming from “ad” and “malware”). This class is almost the least dangerous of all viruses on the web. They are more annoying than anything else, although if you let them remain for an unusually long period of time, they definitely become more problematic. You can skip ahead to the Remove Ads by AdsAlert section, but know that we’ve researched the subject far and wide, and we can help teach you how to protect yourself from malware in the future. The following few paragraphs are dedicated to exactly that.

WARNING! You should be aware that all of your accounts and passwords are likely exposed. Viruses like this are well-known for  recording browsing information, cookies and the aforementioned accounts and passwords in a file. The files is sent at a later date (5-7 days most likely) to whoever created it. We advise you to change all passwords, especially to accounts using online payment methods.

First and foremost, a word of warning! Don’t be fooled by any of the messages and directions you’ll probably start seeing on your screen. Every single one of them is a fake. Here is a list of the most widely used lies (in no particular order):

1. Fake anti-virus scanners. They either want to scan your PC as a regular check-up or ask you to give them permission to renew their database.
2. The “sponsored links” and thumbnails that cover half the pages can redirect you (if you click them) to websites severely populated by viruses. You can get in real trouble with these pages, as much of the time, you need to move fast and exit them, because an installer should start in a matter of seconds. If this happens end the process via the task manager.
3. Ads by AdsAlert will try to impersonate a variety of popular programs on your PC, like Java, Flash Player, Acrobat Reader, Winamp, even Windows. The classic scheme is that it will try to believe it’s an update for one of the programs.

There are several known effects felt by all people who were infected by Ads by AdsAlert, namely:

An incredible variety of websites you may get redirected to if you make the mistake of clicking on the ads. All of these websites are infected by malware, and you are running out of time if you stay there. In a matter of seconds a download will probably begin, with a .exe file that’s set to autorun once it finishes. Do NOT let it come to that! Yet if you really can not react in time (if, for example, your internet is ironically too fast) don’t try to exit the setup from the inside. You will just be wasting time during which it will install itself. We want you to open the task manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and stop the process the setup is using.

Freezing and a general slowness of the PC will occur. This is related to the ads created by AdsAlert. Since they are pretty much chiseled, formed and overlayed by your PC, the CPU has a hard time processing all the information instead of just loading it from the pages. Sound glitching while playing music and occasional stuttering are also constant companions to this effect. Your internet connection may experience a significant slowdown after the infections spreads.

The really big problem though, is something entirely different: some virus creators are not satisfied just continuing the promotional campaign. There are numerous instances of PCs infected by ransomware because of adware. Ransomware are the most dangerous and unforgiving viruses on the web. They will encrypt (basically lock up) your files and demand payment to let them go. Will Ads by AdsAlert really lead to something like this? The sad truth is that we can never be sure. But there have been cases when an adware brought about lockers.

How Was I infected with Ads by AdsAlert?

There is one universally recognized way used by Ads by AdsAlert to infiltrate computers and that is through being bundled with free software. Of course there are many other venues that can be used to achieve the same effect, like spam email, being disseminated by fake programs. But free software are by far the most lucrative for virus creators. They are notorious for having malware bundled with their toolbars and optimizers, so be extra careful with these things in the future. Always check the setup steps for nasty surprises that are disclosed beforehand, just like this:

Generally, three universal rules ALWAYS apply:

1. DO NOT install executable (ending with .exe) files on your computer unless you are absolutely certain the file is legitimate.
2. The only way to be certain of a file’s legitimacy is to download it from the official site.
3. Even if you received a file from someone on your contact list ask him if he really did send it before opening/installing it. Be extra extra careful with .exe files.

Alternatively another thing Ads by AdsAlert can use is a Trojan.Downloader that has been installed beforehand. The Trojan was likely attached to some form of infected patch or mod file for a computer game. Cracks are especially notable for sometimes containing malware.

Who creates Adware and why?

Adware are created for once specific reason only – to promote websites. No matter what Ads by AdsAlert says, what blabbery the advertisements present you about saving you money or “enhancing” your browsing experience, the only reason anyone ever creates these things is to promote certain websites. The whole sequence of things goes like this: someone owns a website and decides to promote with by less than legitimate means. Because it’s just easier this way. Users like you are forced to go this way. So the hypothetical website owner pays up someone who creates adware. Ads by AdsAlert is by no means unique – most adware creators simply get a new name for the thing, modify a file or two and change the target websites. At this point, the freshly created adware just has to be released in the wild – and the easiest way to spread it is by paying free software creators to add it in the bundles.

BUT! Here’s the big but: these people realize that you’d try to remove Ads by AdsAlert from your browsers at once, so they try to redirect you to websites especially made to spread other adware so you can continue receiving coupons and “best deals.” That’s about 30% of the time. The remaining 70% of the time you are directed to the promoted websites.

SUMMARY:

Name	Ads by AdsAlert
Type	Adware
Detection Tool	Some 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)* OFFER *Read more details in the first ad on this page, EULA, Privacy Policy, and full terms for Free Remover.

Remove Ads by Adsalert

Search Marquis is a high-profile hijacker – you might want to see if you’re not infected with it as well.

You can find the removal guide here.