PowerGamesNetwork Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PowerGamesNetwork?
PowerGamesNetwork is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware-type software. Developers state that it can be used to download various games. Indeed, it may seem to be a legitimate and useful app for people who play various games.
In fact, when installed, this app forces users to see various intrusive advertisements and redirects them to dubious web pages. Furthermore, PUAs often track information and collect details relating to users' browsing habits.
PowerGamesNetwork regularly forces users to visit untrustworthy websites by opening them in new browser windows or tabs. Some of these sites might contain malicious content. Adware-type apps also deliver coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other intrusive advertisements. Typically, they display them on all visited websites.
When clicked, these ads open dubious, possibly malicious websites or run scripts designed to download and install unwanted applications. Furthermore, many PUAs help developers to collect data such as IP addresses, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and other personal data.
The developers share the details with third parties (often cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue. PUAs thus cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues including identity theft. Do not use PUAs and uninstall them immediately.
| Name | Ads by PowerGamesNetwork |
| 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. |
There are plenty of adware-type applications similar to PowerGamesNetwork. Some examples are AdsRemoved - AdBlocker & PopUp Blocker, MyPersonalPDF, and KraKraGames. The developers offer various 'useful' tools and features and present them as legitimate apps, however, they are designed only to generate revenue and deliver no real value.
How did PowerGamesNetwork install on my computer?
PUAs such as PowerGamesNetwork are generally installed together with other software. This happens when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - they hide bundled (additionally-included) applications in software download or installation settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and hope that people will not check them.
Unwanted downloads and installations usually happen when people download/install software without checking settings and leave them unchanged. Clicking untrustworthy intrusive advertisements can also lead to unwanted downloads and installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Check all available settings and options such as "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and other similar sections of the software download or installation setup. Dismiss offers to install or download unwanted software.
Do not download software from untrustworthy/unofficial websites, using torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, and so on. Use only official and trustworthy sources such as official websites. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on unofficial, dubious websites.
Clicking them often leads to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and other dubious websites. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects, they might be caused by installed adware-type or other unwanted apps.
Remove all unwanted/unknown add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins from your browser and programs this type from your computer (operating system). If your computer is already infected with PowerGamesNetwork, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
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Quick menu:
- What is PowerGamesNetwork?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PowerGamesNetwork application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PowerGamesNetwork adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove PowerGamesNetwork ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by PowerGamesNetwork' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove PowerGamesNetwork extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PowerGamesNetwork 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 "PowerGamesNetwork", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes PowerGamesNetwork ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove PowerGamesNetwork 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 "PowerGamesNetwork" (or "PowerGamesNetwork ads"), select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by powergamesnetwork, 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 "PowerGamesNetwork" (or "PowerGamesNetwork ads"), select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by powergamesnetwork, 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 "PowerGamesNetwork" (or "PowerGamesNetwork ads").
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by powergamesnetwork 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 powergamesnetwork, 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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