Fast-access-web Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Fast-access-web?
Identical to Webunstop, Unstopaccess, Un-stop, and a number of others, Fast-access-web is a deceptive application that falsely claims to allow users to access websites that are blocked in their own countries.
On initial inspection, Fast-access-web may appear 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 online advertisements, and; 3) monitoring of web browsing activity.
Following successful infiltration, Fast-access-web delivers various intrusive advertisements (for example, pop-up, coupon, banner, etc.) To display these ads, developers employ various tools (including a "virtual layer") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.
Therefore, intrusive ads often conceal visited website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, some redirect to malicious websites or even activate scripts designed to download and install malware/PUPs. Therefore, clicking them might cause high-risk adware or malware infections.
Furthermore, Fast-access-web monitors browsing activity by recording data that might be personally identifiable.
This behavior is very common to adware-type applications. PUP developers sell the collected data (IP addresses, websites visited, queries entered into search engines, pages viewed, etc.) to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who aim to generate as much revenue as possible by misusing private details.
Thus, the presence of an information-tracking app such as Fast-access-web can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, Fast-access-web adware should be uninstalled immediately.
| Name | Ads by Fast-access-web |
| 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 hundreds of adware-type applications that share similarities with Fast-access-web including, for example, Save Tabs, Clean My Chrome, and Bookmarks Button. By offering various "useful features", PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value.
Apps such as Fast-access-web deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually gather user-system information.
Some PUPs also promote malicious websites, most of which are fake search engines that promote other sites (by generating fake search results), deliver ads, and record private information. As with intrusive ads, fake search results can also lead to malicious websites. Therefore, fake search engines pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did Fast-access-web install on my computer?
Fast-access-web is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, criminals also proliferate PUPs by employing the aforementioned ads, and via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party applications with regular software).
Many users rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Aware of this, developers hide "bundled" apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these processes. Skipping this section and clicking various ads often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs, 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 poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Never click ads, no matter how tempting they may seem.
Research shows that cyber criminals put a great deal of time and effort into designing intrusive ads - most appear legitimate, as if they originated from the visited (legitimate) website. Do not take the risk of clicking them. Furthermore, select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully analyze each download/installation step, and cancel all additionally-included programs.
It is also important to download your software from official sources only using direct download links, rather than third party downloaders/installers. These tools commonly "bundle" additional apps and should not be used. The key to computer safety is caution.
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Fast-access-web?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Fast-access-web application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Fast-access-web adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Fast-access-web ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Fast-access-web' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Fast-access-web extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Fast-access-web 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 "Fast-access-web", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Fast-access-web ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Fast-access-web adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Fast-access-web 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 fast-access-web, 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 fast-access-web, 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 fast-access-web 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 fast-access-web, 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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Outstanding!
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