How remove apps causing redirects to the special-update.online site?

What is the special-update[.]online website?

Sharing common traits with saytoyoup.fun, ctivetothe.online, christianivory.pro, android-system.live, and thousands of others, special-update[.]online is an untrustworthy webpage. It operates by loading dubious material and/or redirecting visitors to unreliable/dangerous sites.

Special-update[.]online and websites akin to it - are usually accessed unintentionally. Most users enter them through redirects caused by intrusive ads or PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) already installed onto their devices.

These apps can infiltrate systems stealthily and subsequently cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect information relating to browsing activity.

When accessed, special-update[.]online first checks the visitor's IP (Internet Protocol) address to learn their geolocation. This data dictates the site's further course of action. In other words, whether visitors get redirected elsewhere and/or are presented with questionable content - depends on their geolocations.

Furthermore, rogue webpages use deceptive statements or misleading instructions to trick users into allowing their browser notifications. This is true of special-update[.]online as well. If this website's notifications are enabled, it will start delivering intrusive ad campaigns.

The adverts this page delivers - are more than a nuisance as they also endanger device and user safety. Intrusive advertisements promote sale-based, untrustworthy, rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites.

What is more, some of these ads can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs). Should a browser be force-opening special-update[.]online and various other pages, it is likely to be due to installed PUAs.

However, these applications can have additional/different harmful functionalities. For example, PUAs can deliver intrusive advert campaigns.

Software within this classification typically has data tracking abilities as well. PUAs can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, etc.) and gather sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable details, etc.).

The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties, likewise intent on misusing it for profit. To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices - can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	special-update.online pop-up
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads
Serving IP Address	213.227.149.216
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. ▼ 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.

PUAs rarely appear suspect, they tend to look legitimate and useful. This software offers a broad range of features.

Despite how good these functions may sound, they are seldom operational. The sole purpose of unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are irrelevant.

PUAs are designed to cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect vulnerable and private information.

How did adware install on my computer?

PUAs are spread through downloaders/installers of other programs. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".

The supplements are often unmentioned and/or hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Therefore, rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive ads are also used to proliferate PUAs. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Some PUAs have "official" download websites as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to always research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources.

Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer hazardous and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, and other additions.

Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and harmless; however, they redirect to various questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be inspected and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it.

If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of the special-update[.]online website (GIF):

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 special-update.online pop-up?
• STEP 1. Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome
• STEP 2. Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android)
• STEP 3. Remove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox
• STEP 4. Remove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge
• STEP 5. Remove spam notifications from Safari (macOS)

Disable unwanted browser notifications:

Video showing how to disable web browser notifications:

Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome:

Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". In the opened window select "Privacy and security", then click on "Site Settings" and choose "Notifications".

In the "Allowed to send notifications" list search for websites that you want to stop receiving notifications from. Click on the three dots icon near the website URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android):

Tap the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". Scroll down, tap on "Site settings" and then "Notifications".

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and tap on them one-by-one. Once the pop-up shows up, select either "Block" or "Remove" (if you tap "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen. Select "Settings" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen. Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications".

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and block them using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove Website" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove Website" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge:

Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings". Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen and select "Notifications".

Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL under "Allow" section and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Safari (macOS):

Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences...". Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane.

Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

How to avoid browser notification spam?

Internet users should be very skeptical when being asked to allow notifications. While this is a useful feature that allows you to receive timely news from websites you like, deceptive marketers frequently abuse it.

Only allow notifications from websites that you fully trust. For added security - use an anti-malware application with a real-time web browsing monitor to block shady websites that tries to trick you into allowing spam notifications. We recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

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