Adk2x.com POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is adk2x.com?
There are many rogue websites such as adk2x.com available on the Internet (including browsersecurely.com, identies.com, and deloton.com as just some examples). These sites redirect users to various dubious websites.
As a rule, users visit adk2x.com unwillingly - they are redirected to it by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that are installed inadvertently. PUPs cause redirects, collect information, deliver intrusive ads, and misuse system resources.
If a potentially unwanted program is installed on your web browser (or computer), you will notice that your web browser will often open new tabs/windows and redirect you to adk2x.com, which then redirects to other untrustworthy websites (typically to 2-3). It is very likely that one of these sites will contain malicious content that could harm your computer.
Furthermore, PUPs gather user-system information such as IP addresses, search queries, visited websites, keystrokes, geo-locations, and various other data that could include sensitive or personally identifiable information. Later, this information is shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) and used to generate revenue.
This situation could lead to privacy issues or even identity theft. In addition, potentially unwanted programs deliver intrusive ads that are displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site (and conceal underlying content).
They can disturb you when browsing the web, and once clicked, might redirect to untrustworthy websites or even execute scripts that download and install potentially unwanted programs. Furthermore, some potentially unwanted programs are able to run background tasks that could significantly affect computer performance.
Clearly, there are a number of possible issues that can be caused by PUPs, and why we strongly recommended you uninstall them immediately.
| Name | adk2x.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 many potentially unwanted programs available - most of their developers offer various "useful" features/tools and attempt to make these programs appear legitimate.
In fact, they often record sensitive information, deploy ads and misleading redirects, and illicitly generate revenue (rather than providing the functions promised). Therefore, most PUPs deliver no significant value for regular users and only cause harm.
How did adware install on my computer?
Many potentially unwanted programs can be downloaded from their official websites, however, they are most commonly installed through intrusive ads or when developers use the "bundling" method. Bundling is a deceptive marketing method used to stealthily install potentially unwanted programs within other regular software.
Developers often hide bundled programs in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar sections of the installation processes. As a rule, information about these installations is not properly disclosed, thus making it easier for developers to trick users into installing potentially unwanted programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid using third party software downloaders, torrents or unofficial and untrustworthy sources to download software. Use official sources and direct links only. When installing software, check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings/options and deselect unwanted offers/features. Carefully choose which ads to click, avoiding intrusive ads.
Cyber criminals invest time and money into their design and they often appear legitimate, however, once clicked, they will redirect to unwanted/untrustworthy websites such as pornography, gambling, adult dating, and so on.
If you have clicked on such ads and were redirected to one of these dubious websites, close it immediately and check it it has executed a script that downloads and installs an unwanted extension, add-on, or plug-in on your browser, or a program on your computer.
If you happen to find any suspicious entries, remove them 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 adk2x.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 adk2x.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 adk2x.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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the adk2x.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 adk2x.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 adk2x.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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Outstanding!
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