How to remove software that causes redirects to tc-clicks.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is tc-clicks.com?
Tc-clicks.com is a deceptive website identical to spzan.com, aptitudemedia.co, eatyellowmango.com, and many others. This website redirects to various other suspicious sites. Research shows that users are often redirected to tc-clicks.com by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without consent.
Therefore, users often visit tc-clicks.com inadvertently. PUPs usually infiltrate systems without users' permission and, as well as causing redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements and continually record various user-system information.
Tc-clicks.com overview
PUPs open new browser tabs/windows and redirect users to tc-clicks.com. After visiting this site, they encounter a second redirect to a random website that might contain malicious content. These redirects can lead to high-risk computer infections. As mentioned above, PUPs also deliver pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar ads.
To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. The displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Intrusive ads might also redirect to malicious websites or even execute scripts designed to download and install malware or other PUPs.
Therefore, clicking them can also result in computer infections. Another downside is data tracking. Most PUPs record various user-system information that might be personally identifiable. The list of collected data usually includes (but is not limited to) IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and mouse/keyboard activity.
PUP developers aim to generate as much revenue as possible by collecting private information to sell to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people also aim to increase their revenue by misusing private details. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, uninstall all PUPs immediately.
| Name | tc-clicks.com pop-up |
| 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. |
PUPs in general
The Internet is full of PUPs, all of which are virtually identical. These programs offer various "useful features", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of all PUPs is to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than delivering any significant value for regular users, they promote dubious websites (by causing redirects), generate intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and record user-system information.
The promoted websites are often fake search engines that generate fake results (thereby promoting other sites), deliver ads, and record data. As with intrusive ads, fake search results can lead to malicious websites. Therefore, using a fake search engine is very risky.
How did adware install on my computer?
Some PUPs have official download websites, however, developers also proliferate them using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular (mostly free) programs/applications.
Developers are aware that many users rush the download and installation processes. Therefore, they hide PUPs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Skipping this section and clicking ads 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 browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that PUPs are distributed using intrusive ads. Therefore, no matter how tempting an ad may seem, do not click it. Cyber criminals put a great deal of time, money, and effort into designing intrusive ads.
Therefore, determining if they originate from the visited (legitimate) websites becomes virtually impossible. Download your software from official sources only and choose a direct download URL rather than third party downloaders. These tools often "bundle" additional applications and should never be used.
Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully analyze each download/installation step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to computer safety is caution.
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is tc-clicks.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
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 any potentially unwanted programs, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes tc-clicks.com redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the tc-clicks.com pop-up, 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 tc-clicks.com pop-up, 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 tc-clicks.com pop-up 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 tc-clicks.com pop-up, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit tc-clicks.com website?
Redirects to webpages like tc-clicks.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of rogue software, browser hijackers, adware, etc.) profit through them.
Is visiting tc-clicks.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like tc-clicks.com usually collect (and sell) visitor data. Visits to tc-clicks.com may pose other threats, as through this webpage – users may inadvertently access deceptive/malicious sites capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
How did software that generates redirects infiltrate my computer?
The most widely used rogue software distribution methods include: bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove unwanted software?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to scan systems and remove all manner of threats. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective. In some cases, various file remnants stay hidden within the system after the software has been manually removed. Furthermore, the remaining components might continue to run and cause problems. Hence, it is essential to eliminate software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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