2048 Adware

What is 2048?

2048 is a rogue application that claims to be a legitimate PC game. On initial inspection, 2048 may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) 2048 usually infiltrates systems without users' permission; 2) this PUP gathers various data types relating to web browsing activity, and; 3) 2048 displays intrusive online advertisements.

Following infiltration, 2048 employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, coupon, banner, and other intrusive online ads. Be aware that this virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

In addition, some redirect to malicious websites containing infectious content - even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, 2048 continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by gathering various information that might be personally identifiable including websites visited, search queries, pages viewed, and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses - just some examples from a long list.

Developers share these details with cooperating third party companies, who misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app such as 2048 on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate 2048 from your system immediately.

The Internet is full of adware-type applications similar to 2048. Examples include Qubiv, Tindertop, InstaTime, and Corner Sunshine. By offering "valuable features", apps such as 2048 often trick users into believing that these applications are legitimate.

Be aware, however, that adware-type programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers - regular users receive no value. Rather than enabling the features promised, apps such as 2048 collect personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model).

How did 2048 install on my computer?

Research shows that although 2048 has an official download website, many users install this application inadvertently, without their consent. This is due to a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling", which developers use to promote 2048. Bundling is essentially stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps.

Developers conceal bundled programs within "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes (they know that users often rush or even skip this section).

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious during the download/installation processes. Closely analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. In addition, decline all offers to download/install additional applications. It is highly probable that bundled programs will be malicious and, therefore, should never be installed.

Deceptive free software installer distributing 2048 adware:

Screenshot of 2048 application:

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Quick menu:

• What is 2048?
• STEP 1. Uninstall 2048 application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove 2048 adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove 2048 ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by 2048' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove 2048 ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

2048 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 "2048.100" and "nerta", select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes 2048 ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove 2048 adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, 2048 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 2048, 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 2048, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by 2048 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 2048, 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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