YTLoader Adware

What is YTLoader?

The YTLoader application is used to download videos from YouTube. Many apps offer video download features, but YTLoader is categorized as an adware-type, potentially unwanted app (PUA). Most users install this software inadvertently. It also delivers advertisements and records browsing-related (and other) data.

The rogue software is installed through a fake Windows Update installer that installs YTLoader adware rather than any useful updates. Once installed, it can be found in the list of installed programs under the name "YTLoader". It is installed together with another unwanted app called "LetsSee!".

Once installed, adware-type apps such as YTLoader collect browsing-related data including IP addresses, search queries, keystrokes, URLs of visited websites, and so on. Furthermore, they often collect personal data that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Another downside of PUAs is the display of intrusive ads. They feed users with coupons, banners, pop-ups and other dubious ads using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they often conceal underlying content of any visited website significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, when clicked, they can redirect to untrustworthy websites that execute scripts used to download/install other unwanted apps. Having apps such as YTLoader installed can lead to various privacy, browsing safety issues, computer infections, or even identity theft. We advise you to uninstall this PUA immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by YTLoader
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Examples of other similar adware includes EasyDirections, RinoReader, Yayzap, and SpringFiles. Even if developers of adware-type ads claim that the software provides different features, PUAs are essentially identical and serve the same purpose: to generate revenue for their developers.

These apps provide none of the functionality promised or any other real value. Apps such as YTLoader deliver intrusive advertisements and gather information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did YTLoader install on my computer?

Typically, users install adware or other unwanted apps through clicked intrusive advertisements or when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They use this method to trick users into installing unwanted apps (or other software) with regular software. In most cases, PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" (and other similar) options/settings of the installation set-ups. Information regarding the presence of PUAs is not properly disclosed, however, these inadvertent installations generally occur when users skip installation steps and click untrustworthy ads.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Careless behaviour and poor knowledge of these threats are the main reasons for installation of PUAs. Browse the web and download and install software with care. Avoid downloading software from unofficial/untrustworthy websites, using third party downloaders, and so on.

Check all available "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options when installing software. Bear in mind that many cyber criminals invest time and money into ad design, thus making them seem legitimate, however, most malicious advertisements lead to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and other similar untrustworthy sites.

If you encounter redirects to these websites, check all extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed on your browser and uninstall any suspicious/unwanted entries. Also check for unwanted programs in the list of installed programs on your computer. If your computer is already infected with YTLoader, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of fake Windows Update installer triggered by an adware app that is used to install YTLoader:

Screenshot of the YTLoader adware-type app:

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is YTLoader?
• STEP 1. Uninstall YTLoader application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove YTLoader adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove YTLoader ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by YTLoader' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove YTLoader extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

YTLoader 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 "YTLoader" and "LetsSee!", select both entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes YTLoader ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove YTLoader adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, YTLoader 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 ytloader, 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 ytloader, 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 ytloader 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 ytloader, 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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