RunBooster Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is RunBooster?
RunBooster is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware ('malvertising' adware) that infiltrates systems without consent and causes pop-up redirects (ads). It might also record user-system information relating to Internet browsing activity.
Following infiltration, RunBooster randomly opens new browser tabs/windows and redirects to suspicious websites. Users often encounter several consecutive redirects to different websites that might contain malicious content. Redirects of this nature can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.
As mentioned above, RunBooster causes these redirects randomly. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience and is behavior very common to adware-type applications.
These programs also monitor browsing activity by recording various user-system information (such as users' geographic locations, Internet service providers [ISP], Internet Protocol [IP] addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, queries entered into search engines, mouse/keyboard activity, etc.) that might be personally identifiable.
PUP developers sell this information to third parties (mostly for marketing purposes and to generate revenue). PUPs such as RunBooster are useless for regular users and pose a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety. We strongly advise you to uninstall them immediately.
| Name | RunBooster ads |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Detection Names (promoting installation setup) | Avira (HEUR/AGEN.1043913), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Kryptik.GVLI), Malwarebytes (Trojan.IStartSurf), McAfee (GenericRXIT-CV!0365D64B6CCD), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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 programs similar to RunBooster. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) VPNTop, Save Tabs, NoterSave, Unstopaccess, and Quiclean. Most offer certain "useful features" (for example, access to forbidden websites, browsing tab arrangement, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
Potentially unwanted programs such as RunBooster are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and are useless for regular users - only a few provide the features promised. Adware-type applications deliver intrusive ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually record various user-system information.
These ads diminish the browsing experience, redirect to malicious websites, and can also execute scripts that download and install malware. Furthermore, some adware-type apps are known to run various background processes without users' consent. By performing these unwanted tasks (such as mining cryptocurrency), PUPs significantly diminish system performance.
How did RunBooster install on my computer?
Research shows that some PUPs have official download/installation websites, however, these programs are commonly distributed using malvertising ads and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party programs together with regular software/apps.
Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, they conceal "bundled" programs (usually within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation dialogs).
Skipping this section and clicking ads often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs such as RunBooster, 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. The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, be very careful when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. Developers monetize third party download/installation tools using the bundling method (promoting potentially unwanted programs).
Therefore, we strongly advise you to avoid using these tools - applications should be downloaded from official sources only using a direct download URL. In addition, carefully analyze each download/installation step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings), decline offers to download/install third party programs, and opt-out of those already included.
Cyber criminals invest a great deal of time and effort into designing malicious advertisements. Therefore, they often appear legitimate. Once clicked, however, intrusive ads often lead to suspicious websites (such as surveys, adult dating, gambling, etc.) If you have clicked ads leading to such websites, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Deceptive software installer promoting RunBooster adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is RunBooster?
- STEP 1. Uninstall RunBooster application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove RunBooster adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove RunBooster ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by RunBooster' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove RunBooster extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
RunBooster 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 "RunBooster", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes RunBooster ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove RunBooster adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, RunBooster 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 runbooster ads, 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 runbooster ads, 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 runbooster ads 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 runbooster ads, 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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