MediaDownloader Adware (PC)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MediaDownloader?
MediaDownloader is a rogue application that falsely claims to allow download and conversion of various media files. On initial inspection, MediaDownloader may appear legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as adware (advertising malware) and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) display of malvertising ads, and; 3) information recording.
Following infiltration, MediaDownloader delivers various intrusive advertisements (for example, banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc.) These are displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, most conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, malvertising ads often lead to malicious websites. Some intrusive ads execute scripts that download and install malware - clicking them might cause high-risk computer infections. As with most adware, MediaDownloader continually records information that might be personally identifiable. The details are sold to third parties (mostly for dubious marketing purposes).
This behavior is very common to adware-type applications. Some potentially unwanted programs are known to stealthily run background processes (for example, mining cryptocurrency). PUPs misuse system resources without users' consent, thereby significantly diminishing overall computer performance.
These actions are performed only to generate revenue. Potentially unwanted programs such as MediaDownloader pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to uninstall all potentially unwanted programs (including MediaDownloader) immediately.
| Name | Ads by MediaDownloader |
| 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. |
MediaDownloader is virtually identical to MapsFrontier, Clean My Chrome, NoterSave, and many others. Note that all of these apps offer different functionality, however, their behavior is identical. By offering "useful features", MediaDownloader and other adware-type programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, only a small fraction of PUPs provide the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users. Potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They deliver malicoius ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), record user-system information, and stealthily run background tasks.
How did MediaDownloader install on my computer?
Developers proliferate MediaDownloader using a fake Adobe Flash Player download (the "bundling" method) and pop-up ads. In fact, most potentially unwanted programs are distributed by these two ways. Bundling is stealth installation of third party software together with regular apps.
Developers are aware that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, these criminals hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings, or other sections of these processes. Skipping download/installation steps and clicking ads thus exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be aware that careless behavior and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for computer infections. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general.
Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs (especially the "Custom/Advanced" options), opt-out of all additionally-included programs, and decline offers to download/install them. Bear in mind that third party download/installation tools commonly bundle additional software (criminals monetize these tools by promoting third party programs).
Therefore, download your software from official sources only and (if possible) use a direct download link. Cyber criminals invest a great deal of time and effort into designing malicious ads. Therefore, most appear genuine - determining if intrusive ads originate from the visited (legitimate) websites is difficult.
These malvertising ads usually lead to survey, adult dating (mostly Russian), pornography, gambling, and other similar websites. If you encounter such ads, immediately check the list of installed apps/browser plug-ins and remove any suspicious entries.
Official MediaDownloader adware installer set-up:
Screenshot of MediaDownloader application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is MediaDownloader?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MediaDownloader application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MediaDownloader adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MediaDownloader ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MediaDownloader' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove MediaDownloader extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MediaDownloader 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 "MediaDownloader", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes MediaDownloader ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MediaDownloader adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, MediaDownloader 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 mediadownloader, 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 mediadownloader, 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 mediadownloader 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 mediadownloader, 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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