Thesterminator.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is thesterminator.com?
Identical to bestadbid.com, deloton.com, rosetheet.com, and many others, thesterminator.com is a rogue website designed to redirect to other untrustworthy sites. Research shows, that users often visit thesterminator.com inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
In most cases, these programs infiltrate systems without users’ permission. In addition, PUPs deliver intrusive ads (coupons, banners, and so on), record sensitive information, and in some cases run unnecessary processes without consent.
Potentially unwanted programs randomly open new browser tabs/windows and redirect to thesterminator.com. Immediately after visiting this site, users encounter several (typically 2 or 3) consecutive redirects to other dubious websites. These sites might contain malicious content and, therefore, redirects to and from thesterminator.com can result in high-risk computer infections.
Be aware also that displayed intrusive ads conceal underlying content (thereby diminishing the browsing experience), and might also redirect to malicious websites and even run scripts that download/install malware. Therefore, even a single click can result in high-risk computer infections.
Potentially unwanted programs collect Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, Internet service providers, geo-locations, website URLs visited, pages viewed, keystrokes, and other sensitive data. Developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal details.
Therefore, the presence of data-tracking applications can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Some PUPs are also known to mine cryptocurrencies or run other unnecessary processes in the background.
These programs misuse resources without users' consent, thereby significantly decreasing overall system performance. For these reasons, you are advised to eliminate all potentially unwanted programs immediately.
Name | thesterminator.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. |
There are hundreds of potentially unwanted programs, all of which are virtually identical. Most offer 'useful features' (e.g., system optimization, download performance increase, anti-virus, etc.), however, these programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than delivering any real value for regular users, potentially unwanted programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. Claims to provide "useful functionality" are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
How did adware install on my computer?
Some potentially unwanted programs are free for anyone to download on their official websites. Despite this, in most cases, PUPs infiltrate systems without permission. This is due to the careless behavior and lack of knowledge of many users.
Cyber criminals proliferate PUPs by employing the aforementioned intrusive advertisements, together with a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Developers hide "bundled" applications within various sections (most likely "Advanced/Custom" settings) of the download/installation processes.
They do not disclose this information properly. Furthermore, many users skip these steps and often click dubious advertisements and links. This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings, closely analyze each download/installation step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
You are advised to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize these by promoting rogue software (the "bundling" method). Applications should be downloaded from official sources only and, preferably, using a direct download link. Criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design, and thus most look legitimate.
Once clicked, however, they redirect to suspicious sites (e.g., gambling, survey, adult dating, and so on). If you continually experience this type of advertisement, immediately remove all dubious applications and scan your computer with a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite.
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 thesterminator.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 thesterminator.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 thesterminator.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 thesterminator.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 thesterminator.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 thesterminator.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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