Slithermon Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Slithermon?
Slithermon is a rogue application that supposedly allows users to play a popular browser arcade game called "Slither.io" directly from the desktop. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, this application is not genuine and has no association with the actual game.
Slithermon often infiltrates systems without users' consent. Furthermore, it displays intrusive online advertisements and records various user/system data. For these reasons, Slithermon is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Following infiltration, Slithermon employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the generated advertisements often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the web browsing experience.
They can also lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking. Slithermon continually records IP addresses, search queries, websites visited, pages viewed, and other similar data.
This information might include personally identifiable details that developers of Slithermon share with cooperating third party companies (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal data.
Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app such as Slithermon on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate this PUP immediately.
Slithermon has very similar characteristics to Traffic Exchange, GeoByPass, Windows Management, and hundreds of other adware-type applications. By offering a number of 'useful features', adware often tricks users to install. Be aware, however, that the only purpose of all adware is to generate revenue for the developers.
These applications merely deliver intrusive online advertisements and collect personal information. They are useless for regular users.
How did Slithermon install on my computer?
Slithermon is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling". Research shows that many users rush the download/installation procedures and skip most/all steps. Therefore, Slithermon is concealed within the "Custom/Advanced" settings section. By skipping this section, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Installation of PUPs can be prevented by taking two simple steps. Firstly, PUPs are distributed using the bundling method, and therefore, never rush the download or installation processes - closely analyze each step within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Secondly, cancel all additionally-included programs and offers to download/install them.
Deceptive free software installers distributing Slithermon adware:
Screenshot of Slithermon application:
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Quick menu:
- What is Slithermon?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Slithermon application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Slithermon adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Slithermon ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Slithermon' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Slithermon extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Slithermon 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 "Slithermon", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Slithermon ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Slithermon adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Slithermon 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 slithermon, 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 slithermon, 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 slithermon 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 slithermon, 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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