Uninstall MessengerNow adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MessengerNow?
MessengerNow is advertised as an app that allows users to send texts, make video chats, and form plans on their smartphones or desktop computers. This may seem a legitimate and useful app, however, it has been identified as adware, a type of software that most people download and install unintentionally.
These are known as potentially unwanted apps (PUAs). Typically, installed adware displays unwanted advertisements and collects information relating to users.
People with adware-type apps such as MessengerNow installed on their computers or browsers are forced to see various unwanted ads. For example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and others that, when clicked, open dubious or even malicious web pages.
Sometimes ads displayed through adware lead to unwanted downloads and installations. Another problem with adware is information tracking. These apps often gather IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened pages, entered search queries, and other data associated with users' browsing habits.
PUAs also target private details. The people behind these apps (developers) share all recorded information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. These are the main reasons why adware-type apps should be removed immediately.
| Name | Ads by MessengerNow |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly provides users with text, video chat, and planning features. |
| Detection Names (MessengerNow.14.1906.1ac.exe) | ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Softninjas.A Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/Presenoker), 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. |
MessengerNow is virtually identical to MessengerLite, however, there are many other adware-type apps on the internet (such as Clicker or CraniumCapacity Ads). Typically, these apps are supposedly useful and include various features, however, people who use them are forced to see unwanted advertisements and risk having their private details shared with other parties.
To avoid privacy issues, problems with browsing safety, unwanted downloads, installations, and so on, uninstall MessengerNow and other adware immediately.
How did MessengerNow install on my computer?
PUAs and adware are often downloaded and installed through intrusive, deceptive ads. When clicked, they can run scripts that download or install unwanted applications. In other cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed through the set-ups of other software when developers use the "bundling" method.
There are many cases whereby PUAs are included into various download/installation set-ups and hidden in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. People often leave these settings unchanged, thereby allowing PUAs to be downloaded and installed with other, regular software.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download programs/apps from official web pages and using direct download links. Do not download through third party downloaders, torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks) untrustworthy websites, and so on. No third party installer should be trusted.
Download and install software carefully: check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar setting available in download/installation setups and opt-out of offers to download or install additional, unwanted programs. It is not safe to click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages (relating to gambling, adult dating, and so on).
These can redirect to untrustworthy websites or lead to unwanted downloads and installations. Regularly check the list of installed browser apps (extensions, plug-ins, pop-ups). If there are any unwanted, suspicious entries, remove them immediately.
This also applies to programs of this type installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with MessengerNow, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of MessengerNow installation setup:
Website used to promote MessengerNow 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 MessengerNow?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MessengerNow application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MessengerNow adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MessengerNow ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MessengerNow' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove MessengerNow extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MessengerNow 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 "MessengerNow", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes MessengerNow ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MessengerNow 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 "MessengerNow", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by messengernow, 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 "MessengerNow", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by messengernow, 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 "MessengerNow".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by messengernow 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 messengernow, 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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