How to remove adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Ads By Traffic Junky?
Traffic Junky is a legitimate advertising network that is used by web developers who aim to monetize various websites. In many cases, however, these networks are used by adware developers for malicious purposes and to inject dubious ads into legitimate pages.
If a browser regularly displays ads delivered by Traffic Junky, it is possible that adware-type apps are installed. These display intrusive, often deceptive ads and gather various user-system information.
More about Ads By Traffic Junky
Ads displayed by Traffic Junky include various pop-up ads, banners, surveys, add-ons, and so on. Like most intrusive ads, they can be very annoying. Clicking them often leads to malicious websites, which can download and installation malicious applications.
Some of the displayed ads might be designed to run scripts that download and install unwanted, potentially malicious apps. Furthermore, if installed, adware-type apps gather various information relating to users browsing habits such as IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and so on.
People responsible for these apps (developers) send the data to other parties, potentially cyber criminals, who misuse it to generate revenue. Clicking intrusive ads might, therefore, cause computer infections, installation of malicious programs, and other problems. If there are any adware-type apps installed on your system, they should be removed immediately.
| Name | Traffic Junky ads |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Official Website | trafficjunky[.]com |
| Serving IP Address (trafficjunky[.]com) | 64.210.151.78 |
| Sibling Domains (trafficjunky[.]com) | ads.trafficjunky[.]com, analytics.trafficjunky[.]com, api.trafficjunky[.]com, blog.trafficjunky[.]com, click.e.trafficjunky[.]com, getstarted.trafficjunky[.]com, image.e.trafficjunky[.]com, media.trafficjunky[.]com, members.trafficjunky[.]com, pt.trafficjunky[.]com, randy-maugans.pornhubpennsylania.org.trafficjunky[.]com, randymaugans.consciousconsumernetwork.tv.trafficjunky[.]com, static.trafficjunky[.]com, uat1.mp3vel.trafficjunky[.]com, webassets.trafficjunky[.]com |
| 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. |
Adware examples
The Internet is full of malicious ads and adware. BWplayer, Fanatical Assistant, and Free - Online Radio are just some examples of apps that are categorized as adware.
These apps are promoted as legitimate and useful, supposedly providing 'useful features', however, adware is software that generates revenue for developers by feeding users with ads and without providing any value in return.
How did adware-type apps install on my computer?
To trick people into installing unwanted apps, developers usually use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They include unwanted apps into set-ups of other software. Therefore, people often download and install additional rogue software. Developers hide these apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options/settings other software set-ups.
When people skip download/installation steps of regular software without checking settings, they allow unwanted programs to also be installed. Clicking deceptive, dubious ads also allows rogue software to infiltrate.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Browse the web and download and install software properly. Download programs from official and trustworthy websites and avoid using third party installers, downloaders, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), dubious websites and so on. Download/installation processes should also be handled properly.
Do not finish without checking all "Custom", "Advanced", and other parts of software setups. If a browser causes redirects to dubious websites or delivers intrusive, dubious advertisements, it is very likely there is aware-type installed on the browser. Avoid clicking these ads and check the list of installed browser apps (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons).
If there are any unwanted, suspicious apps on the system, they should be removed immediately. Also apply this to unwanted programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Ads By Traffic Junky, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this 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 Ads By Traffic Junky?
- 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 unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling unwanted applications that deliver Traffic Junky ads, 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 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 traffic junky ads, 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 traffic junky ads, 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 traffic junky ads 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 traffic junky ads, 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on traffic junky ads or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Usually, the main problems with having adware installed on the operating system are diminished Internet browsing experience and slower computer performance. Sometimes, adware can be designed to gather information about users, which can lead to problems related to online privacy.
What does adware do?
It is common for adware to be useless to its users. Software of this type generates annoying advertisements. Additionally, it can hijack a web browser by manipulating its settings. Also, it can gather data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of them use adware to promote various products, websites, services, etc. Their main source of income usually is various affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove adware?
Combo Cleaner will detect and remove any installed adware. It will completely remove adware from the operating system. Sometimes, adware is persistent - it is difficult to remove adware manually without leaving any of its files in the system. Thus, it is recommended to remove adware using specialized software such as Combo Cleaner.
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