How to remove History Removal Tool adware and the ads it delivers

What is History Removal Tool?

History Removal Tool is rogue software, supposedly capable of automatically deleting users' browsing history, however, following successful installation, it runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. I.e., delivers various dubious and possibly harmful ads.

Additionally, most adware-type programs monitor users' browsing activity, and History Removal Tool is no exception to this. Since users typically download and install adware inadvertently, these programs are also classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

At the time of research, History Removal Tool was observed being promoted through deceptive sites wherein download buttons redirect to the Chrome Web Store.

Adware delivers various banners, pop-ups, banners, coupons surveys, full-page and other intrusive ads. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, since they limit browsing speed and overlay web page content. As well as being a nuisance, these advertisements are dangerous. Once clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install software.

PUAs are a prime example of content infiltrated into systems in this manner. They can have dangerous functionality and these functions can be in different combinations.

Some PUAs can force-open deceptive and malicious sites. Browser hijackers are other unwanted applications that modify browser settings and restrict/deny access to them in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers are seldom able to provide search results, and so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other genuine search engines.

As mentioned, History Removal Tool has data tracking capabilities, and this is common to most PUAs (including adware). They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). PUA developers monetize the collected data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by History Removal Tool
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus.
Browser Extension(s)	History Removal Tool
Supposed Functionality	Automatic browsing history removal.
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Movie Finder, Giphy Search, AdBlock Stream, Damn Good Recipe Promos and Access+ are some examples of other software within the adware classification.

These programs may appear normal and harmless, and users are often lured into download/installation with offers of various "useful" and features. Despite how good the promised features may sound, they rarely work. In fact, this is true of most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers, and gather vulnerable and personally identifiable information.

How did History Removal Tool install on my computer?

PUAs can have "official" download web pages, yet they can also be hosted on genuine online stores (e.g. Chrome Web Store). These applications are also distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other programs. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

If your computer is already infected with History Removal Tool, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

History Removal Tool adware asking for various permissions:

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 History Removal Tool?
• STEP 1. Uninstall History Removal Tool application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove History Removal Tool ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by History Removal Tool' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove History Removal Tool extension from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove History Removal Tool adware from Internet Explorer.

History Removal Tool 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 "History Removal Tool", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes History Removal Tool ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove History Removal Tool 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 "History Removal Tool", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by history removal tool, 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 "History Removal Tool".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by history removal tool 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 history removal tool, 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 "History Removal Tool", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by history removal tool, 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.

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