Ads by CurveLayer
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is CurveLayer?
CurveLayer is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Following successful infiltration, CurveLayer generates various intrusive online advertisements and continually monitors browsing activity. For these reasons, CurveLayer is classed as adware.
CurveLayer employs a 'virtual layer' to generate various intrusive online advertisements, including (but not limited to) pop-ups, full-page, and banners. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Thus, displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites, thereby significantly diminishing the web browsing experience.
In addition, they commonly lead to malicious websites - clicking is risky and might cause high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking. CurveLayer gathers Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information relating to Internet browsing activity.
On initial inspection, this data may seem insignificant, however, it will contain personal details that developers share with third parties (who misuse private data to generate revenue). This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall this adware immediately.
The Internet is full of adware-type applications similar to CurveLayer. By offering valuable features, apps such as USB Locker, VMC Media Player, BrowsingGuard, etc. trick users into believing that they are legitimate. Adware is useless for regular users. Bogus programs such as CurveLayer are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than enabling the functionality promised, adware-type apps collect personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties), deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and cause unwanted browser redirects (to generate traffic for certain websites).
How did CurveLayer install on my computer?
CurveLayer is distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of PUPs with regular (usually free) software. Research shows that many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software.
Therefore, developers intentionally conceal bogus programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures. Skipping this section exposes the system to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Developers often distribute PUPs using the bundling method. Never rush the download or installation processes. Select the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, carefully observe each step, and decline offers to download/install additional apps. The key to computer safety is caution.
Deceptive free software installer distributing CurveLayer adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is CurveLayer?
- STEP 1. Uninstall CurveLayer application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove CurveLayer adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove CurveLayer ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by CurveLayer' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove CurveLayer ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
CurveLayer adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "CurveLayer", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes CurveLayer ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove CurveLayer adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, CurveLayer did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the curvelayer adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the curvelayer adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with curvelayer adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the curvelayer adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on curvelayer adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion