Botkano.info POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is botkano.info?
The internet is swamped with rogue websites such as botkano.info. This site is very similar to verifycaptcha.com, adoptimismyto.club, newpush.support, and many others. Its main purpose is to force users to visit other dubious websites or display dubious content.
People do not generally visit botkano.information intentionally - potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) redirect them to it. Furthermore, people usually install PUAs inadvertently. PUAs then go on to cause unwanted redirects, deliver advertisements, and collect information relating to users' browsing habits.
Depending on the visitor's location, botkano.information displays various content (potentially, deceptive) or causes additional redirects (about two or three) to other untrustworthy sites. It is possible that some of these websites might be malicious and lead to computer infections. Another negative side of having PUAs installed is intrusive advertisements.
These apps often feed users with banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups, and other similar ads. It is impossible for these to go unnoticed, since they are displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they conceal underlying content of any visited web page.
In addition, when clicked, they redirect to dubious websites or run scripts designed to download other unwanted apps. Another downside of PUAs is information tracking.
These apps collect user-system information including, for example, IP addresses, geo-locations, search queries, URLs of visited websites and other browsing-related data. In some cases, PUAs record personal information that is shared with other parties (cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
PUAs provide no real value and might cause various problems such as privacy issues, problems relating to browsing safety, and so on. Some users might even have their identities stolen.
Name | botkano.info 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. |
Almost all potentially unwanted apps of this type generate revenue for developers by delivering ads, gathering user-system information and causing unwanted redirects/displaying dubious content. Developers usually promote them by offering "useful" features/tools etc., however, once installed, PUAs provide no real value and deliver none of the functionality promised.
How did adware install on my computer?
In some cases, it is possible to download potentially unwanted apps from their (official) websites, however, they are often installed through intrusive ads or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Bundling is used to trick people into installing potentially unwanted apps together with other, chosen software.
Typically, developers do not disclose information regarding the bundling of PUAs and hide them in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar parts of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users rush these processes without checking the settings/options, thereby causing unwanted downloads or installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To keep your computer safe from potentially unwanted apps, download software (especially freeware) from official and trustworthy sources. Do not use third party software downloaders/installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, or other similar source. Third party software downloaders/installers are often monetized by promoting various unwanted apps.
Furthermore, install software with care - analyze each installation step and check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar sections of the installation processes. Deselect offers to install any unwanted apps and only then finish the installation (or download). Avoid clicking on intrusive ads, even if they seem legitimate.
Rogue ads usually appear legitimate, however, once clicked, they redirect to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. If you experience these ads or redirects to dubious websites, check your browser for unwanted entries (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons etc.).
Also check for unwanted/suspicious programs installed on your computer. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
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 botkano.info?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
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 any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes botkano.info 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:
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 botkano.info 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.
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 botkano.info pop-up, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with botkano.info 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, 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 botkano.info pop-up, 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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