How to uninstall RelevantKnowledge adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is RelevantKnowledge?
RelevantKnowledge is advertised as a tool that people can use to express their opinions about various products and services by participating in online research, however, this app is classified as adware and serves advertisements.
Commonly, users download and install adware inadvertently and, therefore, apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
RelevantKnowledge adware overview
Usually, programs such as RelevantKnowledge serve surveys, banners, pop-ups, coupons and other types of advertisements. This particular app displays surveys on various shopping websites, however, it could also serve other ads.
Note that, if clicked, ads served by adware can open dubious web pages or even download and install unwanted software by executing certain scripts. Additionally, adware can record data relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, addresses of visited websites, geolocations, entered search queries and other details of this kind.
RelevantKnowledge is likely to collect data such as products purchased from online shops as well. Furthermore, some adware can gather personal, sensitive information. The data is misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways.
In any case, remove programs such as RelevantKnowledge from your computers and browsers.
| Name | Ads by RelevantKnowledge |
| Threat Type | Adware |
| Detection Names (PCMate Free Privacy Cleaner installer) |
Avast (Win32:PUP-gen [PUP]), BitDefender (Application.RelevantKnowledge.CN), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/FusionCore.AX Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Relevant.cmb), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Detection Names (RelevantKnowledge) |
Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Johnnie.234945), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Adware.RK.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Relevant.r), 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, potentially unwanted applications (adware). |
| 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
RelevantKnowledge is related to another program called PremierOpinion. Examples of other software that is classified as adware are WikiNow, DreamTrip and Shop Together. Generally, programs of this type are designed only to generate revenue for the developers by serving ads and collecting data. They are useless to regular users and can cause serious issues.
How did adware install on my computer?
RelevantKnowledge is promoted in the installer for PCMate Free Privacy Cleaner. This distribution method for PUAs such as RelevantKnowledge is called "bundling". In such cases, developers include potentially unwanted apps into the download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers'.
Typically, such offers can be declined (via "Custom", "Advanced" settings or by unticking checkboxes that are available in the set-ups), however, many users fail to check or change these settings, thereby downloading and installing PUAs inadvertently with their regular programs.
In some cases, users download and install PUAs through deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind. Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software.
Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser.
The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshots of deceptive installers used to promote RelevantKnowledge 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is RelevantKnowledge?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
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 any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes RelevantKnowledge redirects, 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 potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 relevantknowledge, 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 ads by relevantknowledge 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 relevantknowledge, 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.
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 relevantknowledge, 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.
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 ads by relevantknowledge or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It displays ads that promote deceptive/malicious content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Furthermore, this software usually has data-tracking abilities.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display advertisements on various interfaces. Additionally, some types are capable of force-opening webpages and collecting private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by promoting content. The developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove RelevantKnowledge adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate detected adware-type applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, the remaining components may continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion