GreatAds Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GreatAds?
GreatAds is an advertising network that is used by legitimate apps, but also potentially unwanted (adware-type) applications (PUAs) that users often install unintentionally. PUAs are designed to deliver ads each time users browse the web. Furthermore, many PUAs gather data and cause unwanted redirects. GreatAds is similar to other advertising networks such as Taboola, Wizzcaster, and Ads by Ads2.
Once installed, adware-type applications continuously deliver intrusive ads (mostly banners, coupons, surveys, and similar) using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, which can be very annoying.
Furthermore, when clicked, they often redirect to untrustworthy/potentially malicious websites or run scripts that download even more potentially unwanted applications. Many PUAs are known for data tracking actions.
They record IP addresses, geo-locations, keystrokes, URLs of visited websites, search queries, and other data that might contain personal or sensitive information. Developers share the details with third parties who often misuse them to generate revenue.
The data might also be shared with cyber criminals, and thus having PUAs installed might result in privacy issues, problems with browsing safety, or even identity theft. These are just some reasons why we recommend that you uninstall GreatAds immediately.
| Name | GreatAds 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. |
Potentially unwanted applications are numerous and all very similar. Users are often tricked into installing them when the apps are promoted as providing 'useful features' or tools. If fact, they provide none of the functionality promised and lead to various problems. They collect user-information to generate revenue, cause redirects, and deliver ads.
How did GreatAds install on my computer?
GreatAds app is commonly installed without users' knowledge, since software developers proliferate it using the "bundling" method. Bundling is a deceptive marketing method used to install potentially unwanted applications with regular software.
Users are often tricked into installing PUAs, as developers hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes - they do not clearly display information regarding bundled apps, and thus they can go unnoticed (especially if software is installed in a hurry). PUAs are also sometimes installed through clicked intrusive/untrustworthy ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid using third party software downloaders, torrents, and other similar software. Use official and trustworthy websites/sources, and direct links only. Remember to check all available options ("Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", etc.) and opt-out of offers to install additional software.
Look for checkboxes ticked by default implying that you agree to install software you do not want or need. Avoid clicking intrusive ads (especially when visiting untrustworthy/dubious websites). Some may seem legitimate, but many are rogue.
If you encounter intrusive ads that redirect you to gambling, pornography, adult dating, or other similar websites, check the list of installed applications on your browser and uninstall/remove any unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons. Also remove unwanted programs from your computer immediately.
If your computer is already infected with GreatAds, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of a similar advertising network called "Advertising Support", which is known to be serving ads to adware developers:
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 GreatAds?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GreatAds application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GreatAds adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GreatAds ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GreatAds' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GreatAds extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GreatAds 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 "GreatAds", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes GreatAds ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GreatAds adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, GreatAds 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 greatads 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 greatads 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 greatads 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 greatads 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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