CreatiMail Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is CreatiMail?
CreatiMail is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to change the theme of their email client. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, CreatiMail is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware, since it often infiltrates systems without permission, gathers sensitive information, and generates intrusive ads.
This application gathers information relating to browsing activity - behavior common to adware-type applications. These apps typically record IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar data that usually contains personal details. These details are often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and then misused to generate revenue.
Therefore, having a data-tracking app such as CreatiMail installed on your computer might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. In addition, CreatiMail delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements.
This is achieved using various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website, significantly diminishing the browsing experience, since intrusive ads often conceal underlying content. These ads might redirect to dubious websites and execute scripts that download/install malware.
Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. Therefore, CreatiMail adware should be uninstalled immediately.
Name | Ads by CreatiMail |
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. |
CreatiMail shares many similarities with Safety Keeper, VKOKAdBlock, WebShield, and dozens of other adware-type applications. As with CreatiMail, these applications also offer "useful functionality", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, most adware-type apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.
How did CreatiMail install on my computer?
CreatiMail has an official download website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, this app often infiltrates systems without permission. It is also distributed using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods (stealth installation of third party apps with regular software).
Developers are not honest enough to adequately disclose installation of rogue programs, and hide them within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users are likely to rush download/installation processes, skip steps, and click advertisements. This exposes their systems to risk of various infections and compromises their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, to prevent this situation, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Study all steps of the download/installation processes and opt-out of additionally-included programs.
We recommend that you avoid using third party download/installation tools, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") programs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. In addition, bear in mind that intrusive ads usually seem legitimate, but most redirect to dubious websites.
If you experience them, eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CreatiMail, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Official CreatiMail adware installation setup:
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 CreatiMail?
- STEP 1. Uninstall CreatiMail application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove CreatiMail adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove CreatiMail ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by CreatiMail' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove CreatiMail extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
CreatiMail 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 "CreatiMail Email Themes", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes CreatiMail ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove CreatiMail adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, CreatiMail 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 ads by creatimail, 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 ads by creatimail, 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 ads by creatimail 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 ads by creatimail, 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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