Unstopaccess Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is unstopaccess?
Identical to un-stop, VidSqaure, and a number of others, unstopaccess is a rogue application that falsely claims to provide users with access to websites otherwise blocked in their areas. On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, unstopaccess is classed 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 online advertisements, and; 3) potential tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
Following infiltration, unstopaccess delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. These are often delivered using a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they often conceal underlying website content.
Furthermore, these ads can lead to infectious websites and execute scripts designed to download and install malware/PUPs. There is a high probability that clicking them will result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking.
Many adware-type applications (including unstopaccess) monitor Internet browsing activity by gathering various user-system information (for example, IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, geo-locations, etc.) This collected information might contain personal details that PUP developers often sell to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals who also aim to generate as much revenue as possible by misuing personal details).
Therefore, the presence of an information tracking app such as unstopaccess can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall this PUP immediately.
Name | Ads by unstopaccess |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of adware-type applications that have similar characteristics to unstopaccess including, for example, Clean My Chrome, Search Awesome, DNS Unlocker, and Kariloo. Most of these applications offer different functionality and are developed by different cyber criminals, however, all have identical behavior and purpose - to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than providing any value for regular users, adware-type applications deliver intrusive online advertisements (using the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually gather various information (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).
How did unstopaccess install on my computer?
This adware has an official promotion website, however, criminals also proliferate adware-type applications using the aforementioned intrusive ads, and by a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, PUPs often infiltrate systems without permission, or users install them inadvertently without their consent.
Bundling is stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps. Criminals conceal bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" options of the download or installation processes. Rushing and skipping steps, and clicking various advertisements exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are careless behavior and lack of knowledge. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet. Download your software from official sources only. If possible, choose direct download links rather than using third party downloaders (these tools often bundle additional software).
Carefully study the download/installation processes the "Custom/Advanced" settings and cancel all additionally-included programs.
Furthermore, never never click ads no matter how tempting they may seem. Cyber criminals put a great deal of time and effort into making intrusive ads look genuine - it is virtually impossible to determine if they originate from the visited website. The key to computer safety is caution.
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Quick menu:
- What is unstopaccess?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unstopaccess application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove unstopaccess adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove unstopaccess ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by unstopaccess' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove unstopaccess extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
unstopaccess 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 "unstopaccess", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes unstopaccess ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove unstopaccess adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, unstopaccess 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 unstopaccess, 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 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 unstopaccess, 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 unstopaccess 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 unstopaccess, 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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