Mediawhirl.net POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is mediawhirl.net?
mediawhirl.net is a rogue website (very similar or even identical to invictioner.club, digitalmerkat.com, com-1a.info, and many more) designed to redirect visitors to other dubious and potentially malicious sites.
Most users visit mediawhirl.net inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are also installed unintentionally. PUAs cause redirects to dubious sites, deliver intrusive ads, and gather user information.
As soon as a potentially unwanted application is installed, it forces browsers to open new windows/tabs and redirects users to mediawhirl.net, which then triggers several additional (typically 2-3) redirects to other untrustworthy sites that might contain malicious content and cause high-risk computer infections.
Many PUAs also collect information such as IP addresses, search queries, keystrokes, visited websites, geo-locations, and other data that might contain personally identifiable or sensitive details. These details are shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) and used to generate revenue.
This sharing of data PUAs puts users in danger of identity theft and privacy/browsing safety issues. Furthermore, potentially unwanted applications often deliver intrusive ads, such as surveys, coupons, pop-ups, banners, and so on.
These advertisements are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content. Clicking ads of this type is likely to trigger redirects to other untrustworthy or potentially malicious websites.
Furthermore, there is strong a possibility that such ads will execute scripts designed to download and install potentially unwanted application. Some PUAs are capable of running various tasks/processes in the background, thus affecting computer performance. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you uninstall all potentially unwanted applications immediately.
| Name | mediawhirl.net 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. |
Many potentially unwanted applications claim to be legitimate by offering various "useful" features or tools, however, rather than providing any real value, they cause unwanted redirects, gather information, deploy advertisements, etc.
How did adware install on my computer?
Many potentially unwanted applications can be downloaded from their official websites, however, in most cases they are downloaded and installed unintentionally.
These programs are installed through intrusive advertisements (described above) and when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of applications/programs together with other regular software that users download from the Internet.
Developers hide bundled programs in sections such as "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes, and usually do not disclose these installations properly. Skipping installation steps (without studying them properly) and clicking ads often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Download software from official sites and using direct links only. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers and torrents to download (or install) software. Do not skip software installation steps without first checking "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar options.
Deselect unwanted offers, tools or features (or other extras), and only then finish the installation. If you have clicked on advertisement that redirected you to a gambling, pornography, adult dating, or other untrustworthy site - check your browser extensions, plug-ins, add-ons, etc., and ensure that you do not have any unwanted applications installed.
If you find any - uninstall/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 mediawhirl.net?
- 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 applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes mediawhirl.net 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 mediawhirl.net 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 mediawhirl.net 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 mediawhirl.net 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 mediawhirl.net 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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