Clicker Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Clicker adware?
As its name suggests, Clicker adware app (also known as Clickware) is categorized as ad-supporting software. If installed, apps of this type feed unsuspecting users with various intrusive, often deceptive ads and collect browsing-related information. They are known as potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), since most people download and install them accidentally or inadvertently.
Some examples of ads that adware-type apps deliver include banners, surveys, coupons, pop-up ads, etc. These are intrusive and conceal underlying content of visited websites. Furthermore, if clicked, they open potentially malicious pages. There is a possibility that a clicked ad might run scripts that will cause download/installation of other PUAs.
Many adware-type apps track users' browsing activities including details such as entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, users' geolocations, IP addresses, and so on. Developers continually share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
This might cause browsing safety/online privacy issues and other problems. Remove all adware immediately.
| Name | Clicker/Clickware |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Detection Names (Free_Roblox_Account_Hacker_2015_Download_No_Survey.exe - installer promoting Clicker adware). | Avast (Win32:AdwareX-gen [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Strictor.190221), ESET-NOD32 (a variant of Win32/Kryptik.GSCH), Kaspersky (Trojan.Win32.Ekstak.ojzj), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Clicker adware is designed to operate like many other apps of this type including, for example, CraniumCapacity Ads, BWplayer, Fanatical Assistant and many others. They might be presented as legitimate and useful apps, however, regular users receive no value. Only the developers (and other dubious parties) gain any benefit from them.
How did Clicker adware install on my computer?
Typically, PUAs are downloaded/installed without users' knowledge. This usually happens due to intrusive ads or the "bundling" method, which developers use to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs.
They do not disclose information about the inclusion of unwanted apps into other software set-ups and hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options. Furthermore, many people download and install software (often freeware) without checking the available setup options, thereby unintentionally allowing PUAs to be downloaded/installed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be careful when installing software, especially if it is free (or ad-supporting). Do not finish any download or installation procedure without checking included checkboxes and "Custom", "Advanced" (and other) options/settings. Deselect all bundled, unwanted software/applications and only then finish downloading and installing programs.
Do not download software from untrustworthy websites, using Peer-to-Peer networks such as eMule, torrent clients, or other similar channels. Use only direct links and trustworthy, official websites. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, since they redirect users to various untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites.
If these ads or redirects occur regularly, check for unwanted, unknown applications (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) installed on the default browser. These apps should be removed immediately. The same applies to programs of this type installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with Clicker adware, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Deceptive free software installer promoting Clicker adware:
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 Clicker adware?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Clicker adware application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Clicker adware adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Clicker adware ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Clicker adware' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Clicker adware extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Clicker adware 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 "Clicker adware", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes Clicker adware ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Clicker adware 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 "Clicker adware", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the clickware adware, 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 "Clicker adware", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the clickware adware, 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 "Clicker adware".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with clickware adware 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 clickware adware, 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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