NetMeterX Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is NetMeterX?
NetMeterX is a rogue application that supposedly allows users to monitor Internet use and performance. Its appearance suggests that NetMeterX is a legitimate and useful application, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) tracking of browsing activity; 2) display of intrusive advertisements, and; 3) infiltration without users' consent.
As with most adware, NetMeterX records information relating to browsing habits. Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other recorded data usually includes personal details that NetMeterX's developers sell to third parties.
These people (potentially, cyber criminals) further misuse personal information to generate even more revenue. Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app such as NetMeterX might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. NetMeterX employs various tools to deliver coupon, banner, pop-up, and other intrusive advertisements.
These tools enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the ads conceal underlying content of visited websites, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, intrusive ads can redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install other PUAs (or even high-risk malware).
Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. For these reasons, uninstall NetMeterX adware immediately.
| Name | NetMeterX ads |
| 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. |
NetMeterX shares many similarities with dozens of other adware-type applications, such as CoolioFunGames, MM Unzip, Xtex, etc. Most offer "useful featured", and yet adware-type apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Few provide the features promised.
Adware-type apps gather information and deliver intrusive advertisements, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did NetMeterX install on my computer?
Research shows that NetMeterX typically infiltrates systems without permission, since developers distribute this rogue app using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and the aforementioned intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps. In addition, they click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences.
This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications, such as NetMeterX.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of additionally-included programs.
Furthermore, download your programs from official sources only, using direct download links, rather than third party downloaders/installers - these tools often include rogue apps, and thus should never be used. Remember that developers invest time and resources into intrusive ad design, thereby making them seem legitimate.
Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites (pornography, gambling, and so on). If you experience these redirects, remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Careless behavior and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with NetMeterX, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of NetMeterX application:
Screenshot of NetMeterX process in Windows Task Manager:
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 NetMeterX?
- STEP 1. Uninstall NetMeterX application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove NetMeterX adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove NetMeterX ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by NetMeterX' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove NetMeterX extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
NetMeterX 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 "NetMeterX", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes NetMeterX ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove NetMeterX adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, NetMeterX 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 netmeterx ads, 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 netmeterx ads, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with netmeterx ads 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 netmeterx ads, 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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