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Ads.gold POP-UP Redirect

Also Known As: ads.gold pop-up
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is ads.gold?

ads.gold is a rogue website identical to pulseonclick.com, kaizentraffic.com, channel1vids.com, and many others. Research shows that many visitors arrive at ads.gold inadvertently, since they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive ads generated by other rogue sites.

In most cases, PUAs infiltrate systems without users’ permission. As well as causing redirects, they generate advertisements and record information.

ads.gold pop-up

After successful system infiltration, these unwanted applications start opening new browser tabs/windows and redirecting users to ads.gold. Immediately after visiting this site, users encounter several additional redirects to other dubious websites. It is very likely that at least one of these sites will contain malicious content. Thus, visiting ads.gold site may lead to system infections.

These unwanted applications also deliver various types of intrusive advertisements, which can also lead to malicious websites or even run scripts designed to download/install malware. Even a single accidental click might result in high-risk computer infection. To deliver intrusive ads, developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website.

Therefore, ads often conceal website content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience. Unwanted apps often track and record information. The programs record information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, keystrokes, URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, pages viewed, etc.

Collected data is likely to contain personal details that are misused to generate revenue. For example, developers sell information to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, having data-tracking apps installed on your computer might result in serious privacy issues.

For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall all potentially unwanted applications immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name ads.gold 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.
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The internet is full of unwanted apps, all of which are very similar. Most offer useful features to trick user to install, however, few of these unwanted applications provide the functionality promised. PUAs serve just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, they cause unwanted redirects, deliver ads, and record information. PUAs pose a direct threat to your privacy and computer safety.

How did adware install on my computer?

Research shows that, although some PUAs have official download websites, most infiltrate systems without consent, since developers distribute rogue apps using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party programs with regular (typically free) software.

"Bundled" applications are usually concealed behind "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users often click advertisements and skip download/installation steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, to prevent PUA infiltration, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Most intrusive advertisements seem legitimate/legitimate, however, they are easy to distinguish, since many redirect to dubious websites, such as pornography, adult dating, survey, and so on.

If you see any such advertisements, immediately remove dubious applications/browser plug-ins and ensure that visited sites are legitimate. Carefully analyze all steps of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. While doing so, deselect additional applications and cancel offers to download/install them.

Avoid using unofficial download/installation tools, since most "bundle" rogue apps. Software should be downloaded only from official sources, using direct download links. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

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Quick menu:

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

ads.gold adware uninstall via Control Panel

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 ads.gold 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:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing ads.gold ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing ads.gold ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads.gold 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing ads.gold  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Removing ads.gold ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads.gold pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing ads.gold ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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.

Removing ads.gold ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads.gold 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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads.gold pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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.

Post a comment:
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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
ads.gold pop-up QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of ads.gold pop-up on your mobile device.
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