AdBlaster Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is AdBlaster?
AdBlaster is a deceptive application that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by blocking advertisements displayed by various websites.
On initial inspection, AdBlaster may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive advertisements, and; 3) tracking of browsing activity.
Although AdBlaster claims to block website ads, it actually delivers them. The app employs a "virtual layer" to generate coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar ads. These often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, some generate results leading to malicious websites.
Even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking. AdBlaster continually records IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other data relating to web browsing activity. This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal details to generate revenue.
Therefore, having an information-tracking app installed on your system can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall AdBlaster adware immediately.
AdBlaster shares many similarities with History Button, Weather Inspect, Innovia Secure Shopping, and dozens of other adware-type applications. All offer certain 'useful features', however, PUPs give no significant value for regular users. Applications such as AdBlaster are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
AdBlaster, and the aforementioned applications, merely deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually record various user-system information (which is later sold to third parties).
How did AdBlaster install on my computer?
AdBlaster is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also distribute this PUP by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", since they know that many users rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.
Therefore, apps such as AdBlaster are hidden within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Skipping this section exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, closely analyze each step, and decline offers to download/install additional applications. Never install bundled software.
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Quick menu:
- What is AdBlaster?
- STEP 1. Uninstall AdBlaster application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove AdBlaster adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove AdBlaster ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by AdBlaster' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove AdBlaster extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
AdBlaster 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 "AdBlaster", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes AdBlaster ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove AdBlaster adware from 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 "AdBlaster", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by adblaster, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "AdBlaster", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by adblaster, 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 "AdBlaster".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by adblaster 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 adblaster, 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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