Special-news.online POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is special-news.online?
special-news.online is a rogue website virtually identical to fixnnetwork.com, karonty.com, kaymopk.com and many others of this kind.
All redirect users to other untrustworthy websites. Users generally encounter special-news.online inadvertently - they are redirected to it by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that collect information, deliver intrusive advertisements, and misuse computer resources. In most cases, PUPs are installed without users' consent.
When a PUP is installed, it forces browsers to open new windows/tabs and redirects users to the special-news.online site, which then redirects to other untrustworthy/unsafe websites (typically to 2-3 ) that might contain malicious content. Visiting these sites can result in high-risk computer infections.
Potentially unwanted programs also deliver intrusive ads (coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys etc.) that are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site (and conceal underlying content). These ads can diminish the browsing experience and, if clicked, redirect to other malicious websites.
Some are even able to execute scripts that download and install potentially unwanted programs, including malware. Furthermore, PUPs tend to collect user information such as IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, geo-locations, keystrokes, search queries, visited websites, etc.
Some of this information might contain sensitive/personally identifiable details that are later shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) to generate revenue.
These actions can lead to problems such as privacy issues or even identity theft. Additionally, PUPs sometimes run background tasks, thus reducing computer performance. If you have PUPs installed on you system, eliminate them immediately.
Name | special-news.online 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. |
Typically, potentially unwanted programs generate revenue by collecting information, delivering advertisements, and causing redirects. Only a small fraction of these programs deliver useful tools or give any real value for regular users.
How did adware install on my computer?
PUPs can be downloaded from official websites, however, most users install PUPs inadvertently - through intrusive ads or when installing regular software. Developers of software (in most cases, 'free' and ad-supportive) use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" to stealthily install potentially unwanted programs together with other regular software.
Developers tend to hide these programs in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings/options of the installation processes - they do not disclose these installations properly. Skipping installation steps without checking the options/settings is the most common way to install potentially unwanted programs inadvertently.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to safety is caution. Therefore, avoid downloading software using torrents, third party software downloaders, etc. Use trustworthy and official sources. When installing software, express caution. Study each installation step and check "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings. Deselect unwanted offers/programs and only then finish the installation.
Avoid clicking intrusive ads - even if they appear legitimate, since they might redirect you to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. Developers of these ads (potentially, cyber criminals) invest time and money into their design, so they appear legitimate.
If you have clicked this type of ad and were redirected to any of the aforementioned websites, close the site and check your browser for suspicious extensions, add-ons, plugins, etc.
Also check installed programs on your computer. Remove unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
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 special-news.online?
- 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 special-news.online 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 special-news.online 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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the special-news.online 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 special-news.online 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 special-news.online 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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