How to remove MessengerDeck adware from your operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MessengerDeck?
MessengerDeck is software classified as adware. It is promoted as an application for easy access to Facebook Messenger on a PC desktop.
In fact, it operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Therefore, MessengerDeck simply delivers various unwanted and even harmful ads. Since most users install this app inadvertently, it is also categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Adware-type programs deliver a wide variety of ads including, for example, pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and so on. Intrusive advertisements significantly diminish the browsing experience.
They limit browsing speed and website visibility (by overlaying web page content), however, they are more than just an annoyance - these ads are a threat to device and user safety. When clicked, they cause redirects to sale-based, untrustworthy, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites.
Furthermore, by clicking them, some can be triggered to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install content. These rogue downloads/installations do not need users' consent and potential system infiltration or infections can be just a click away. PUAs are a prime example of the sort of content intrusive ads can infiltrate into a device.
As well as delivering ads, unwanted applications can generate redirects to likewise dangerous web pages. Other apps within this category can make unauthorized changes to browsers, limit/deny access to their settings and promote fake search engines. PUAs often track data.
They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This data is then shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.
To summarize, PUAs can cause browser and system infiltration/infections, and lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by MessengerDeck |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus. |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to Facebook Messenger. |
| Detection Names | Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.MessengerTime), Comodo (ApplicUnwnt@#12b8m3ilhkgvs), 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, Bookmark this Page, Lightening Media Player are some examples of other adware type apps. In general, PUAs share certain similarities. They often seem legitimate and tempt users into downloading/installing them with offers of "useful" functions.
Their features rarely work as advertised and, in most cases, are nonoperational. PUAs are not designed for user convenience and have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than operating as promised, unwanted applications run intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrustworthy/malicious sites, modify browsers and track private data.
How did MessengerDeck install on my computer?
PUAs commonly infiltrate devices via the download/install set-ups of other programs. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling".
By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. by ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.), users increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled applications onto their systems. Some PUAs also have "official" download pages.
Intrusive ads also proliferate these apps. When clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to research all content, prior to downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download sources. Avoid untrustworthy download channels such as Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting websites and other third party downloaders, as these are more likely to offer deceptive and/or bundled programs.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive advertisements often seem normal and harmless, however, they cause redirects to highly dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with MessengerDeck, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of MessengerDeck adware installation setup:
Screenshot of website promoting MessengerDeck 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 MessengerDeck?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MessengerDeck application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MessengerDeck adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MessengerDeck ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MessengerDeck' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove MessengerDeck extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MessengerDeck 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 "MessengerDeck", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes MessengerDeck ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MessengerDeck adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, MessengerDeck did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 ads by messengerdeck, 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 ads by messengerdeck, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by messengerdeck 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 messengerdeck, 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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