Speedownloader Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Speedownloader?
Speedownloader is a rogue application that supposedly helps to download various files. Judging on appearance alone, Speedownloader 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) stealth installation without consent; 2) tracking of users' Internet browsing activity, and; 3) display of intrusive online advertisements.
Following infiltration, Speedownloader employs a "virtual layer" to generate pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. The virtual layer is a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites and even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking. Be aware that Speedownloader continually gathers various data relating to the web browsing activity including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.
The data might contain personal details that Speedownloader's developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue. The presence of a data-tracking app might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall Speedownloader adware immediately.
Speedownloader is very similar to DigiSaver, Enhance Pro, Defender, and hundreds of other adware-type applications. Note that all of these apps offer functionality to enhance the web browsing experience in certain ways, however, research shows that adware-type applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Apps such as Speedownloader provide no real value for regular users - they continually deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and record various user-system information (which is later sold to third parties).
How did Speedownloader install on my computer?
Speedownloader has an official download website, however, developers also proliferate this application by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, many users install Speedownloader inadvertently, without their consent.
Bundling is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Users often rush these procedures and skip steps, thus exposing their systems to risk of various infections and compromising their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when downloading and installing software. Closely analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download/install additional applications.
Deceptive free software installer distributing Speedownloader 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 Speedownloader?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Speedownloader application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Speedownloader adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Speedownloader ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Speedownloader' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Speedownloader extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Speedownloader 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 "Speedownloader", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Speedownloader ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Speedownloader adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Speedownloader 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 speedownloader, 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 speedownloader, 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 speedownloader 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 speedownloader, 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 ads by speedownloader or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion