InstaTime Adware

What is InstaTime?

InstaTime is a rogue application claiming to allow use of Instagram directly from the desktop. On initial inspection, InstaTime may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is not affiliated with Instagram (it is developed by third parties).

Furthermore, InstaTime often infiltrates systems without users' consent and is designed to deliver intrusive online advertisements and collect various user/system information. For these reasons, InstaTime is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

InstaTime employs a 'virtual layer' (a tool enabling placement of third party graphical content on any site) to generate pop-up, banner and other similar intrusive advertisements. None originate from users' visited websites and often conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing Internet browsing experience.

In addition, these ads might redirect to malicious websites that contain infectious content - even accidental clicks can result in further high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, InstaTime records various information that might be personally identifiable.

Examples include IP addresses (to determine geo-locations), website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar data. This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal data to generate revenue.

Thus, the presence of an information-tracking app on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you should uninstall InstaTime adware immediately.

Research shows that all adware is virtually identical. By falsely claiming to enable 'useful functionality', applications such as DestinyScope, ArcadeSwim, and Dealbeaver attempt to trick users into believing that they are legitimate. Be aware, however, that adware-type apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Claims to provide useful features are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, these applications are useless for regular users - they merely generate intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and record various data (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).

How did InstaTime install on my computer?

InstaTime is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also distribute this PUP using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling".

Therefore, users often install InstaTime inadvertently without their consent. By rushing the download/installation processes, and skipping most steps, they often install bundled programs concealed within the "Custom/Advanced" settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the bundling method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Select the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Furthermore, decline all offers to download/install third party programs and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

InstaTime adware installer set-up:

Screenshot of InstaTime application:

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Quick menu:

• What is InstaTime?
• STEP 1. Uninstall InstaTime application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove InstaTime adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove InstaTime ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by InstaTime' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove InstaTime ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

InstaTime 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 "InstaTime", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes InstaTime ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove InstaTime adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, InstaTime 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 ads by instatime, 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 ads by instatime, 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 ads by instatime 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 ads by instatime, 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.

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