Ads by Setli
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Setli?
Setli is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to access restricted websites and protect their privacy when browsing the Internet.
On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, Setli 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) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) potential tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
After system infiltration, Setli delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements (usually marked as "Ads by Setli"). To achieve this, developers employ various tools (including a "virtual layer") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.
Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, some might redirect to malicious websites or even execute scripts that download/install malware or other PUPs. Therefore, even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking.
Adware-type applications such as Setli often monitor users' Internet browsing activity by gathering data that might contain personal details. PUP developers aim to generate as much revenue as possible by collecting this information and selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals who also misuse personal details to generate revenue).
This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, PUPs such as Setli should be eliminated immediately.
| Name | Setli adware |
| 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. |
Setli shares many similarities with hundreds of other adware-type applications such as DNS Unlocker, NetFlix, GeoByPass, and Save Tabs. By offering "valuable features", PUPs such as Setli attempt to trick users to install. In fact, adware-type applications deliver no significant value for regular users. Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.
Setli and other similar adware-type apps merely deliver intrusive online advertisements (using the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model) and record various data (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).
Some PUPs also promote malicious websites (by causing unwanted redirects), thereby posing an even higher threat to users' privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did Setli install on my computer?
PUPs such as Setli are usually proliferated using the aforementioned intrusive advertisements along with a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, users often install PUPs inadvertently, without their consent. Bundling is stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps.
Developers conceal bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Many users rush and skip this section and click various ads. This exposes their systems to risk of various infections, compromises their privacy, and inadvertently grants set-ups/PUPs permission to modify browser options.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
PUPs are distributed using intrusive advertisements and the bundling method. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. We strongly advise users to avoid clicking ads, no matter how tempting they may seem. Research shows that intrusive ads often appear legitimate.
Therefore, it is virtually impossible to determine if they are genuine (originate from the visited [legitimate] website). Do not take the risk of clicking them. Carefully analyze each download/installation step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" options) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
Furthermore, select a direct download link, rather than using third party downloaders/installers. Most of these tools include third party software and should never be used. Poor knowledge of these threats and rushing steps are the main reasons for computer infections - the key to safety is caution.
Deceptive free software installer distributing Setli adware:
Setli adware generating intrusive online advertisements (marked as "Ads by Setli"):
Setli adware's End User Licence Agreement:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Setli?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Setli application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Setli adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Setli ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Setli' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Setli extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Setli 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 "Setli", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Setli ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Setli adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Setli 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 setli adware, 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 setli adware, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with setli adware 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 setli adware, 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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