How to remove redirects to Bro sites and the ads these pages deliver
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What are the Bro sites?
Bro is a group of rogue websites with domains, including bro1[.]biz; bro2[.]biz; bro3[.]biz; bro4[.]biz; bro5[.]biz, etc. Visitors to these sites are presented with dubious content and/or redirected to untrustworthy and possibly malicious sites.
The Internet is rife with such webpages; chicheet.com, onterralink.xyz, and earntthatyo.biz are just a few examples. Users usually access rogue pages unintentionally.
Most enter them via redirects caused by intrusive adverts or installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). These apps can infiltrate systems stealthily. Hence users may be unaware of their presence.
PUAs are designed to cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect browsing-related data.
Bro website overview
The behavior of the Bro webpages is determined by their visitors' IP addresses/ geolocations. Therefore, whether users are presented with questionable material and/or get redirected elsewhere - depends on their geolocations.
Additionally, like most rogue sites, the Bro pages use deceptive tactics (e.g., clickbait, fake CAPTCHA verification, etc.) to trick visitors into allowing their browser notifications. Should the notifications be enabled, the site will begin running intrusive advert campaigns.
The delivered ads are more than just a nuisance, they also pose a threat to device/user safety. Once clicked on, intrusive advertisements redirect to unreliable/malicious websites, and some can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user permission.
PUAs can have varied heinous abilities, and these functions can be in different combinations. For example, these apps force-open sites and/or deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns.
Furthermore, most PUAs can track data. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so on. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices - can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.
| Name | Bro pop-up |
| Threat Type | Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads |
| Serving IP Address | 104.248.199.158 (all domains) |
| Observed Domains | bro1[.]biz; bro2[.]biz; bro3[.]biz; bro4[.]biz; bro5[.]biz, etc. |
| 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. |
PUAs typically appear legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation and/or purchase with offers of various "useful" functionalities.
However, the promised features are seldom operational. Functionality and user safety are irrelevant, since the only goal of unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers.
Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns, and gather vulnerable information.
How did adware install on my computer?
PUAs are spread via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts are also used to proliferate PUAs.
Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Some PUAs have "official" download webpages as well.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources.
Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - often offer deceptive and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so forth. Intrusive ads appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this type, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. 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 a Bro 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Bro 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why am I seeing ads (browser notifications) delivered by a Bro website in the right lower corner of my desktop?
Websites cannot deliver browser notifications without user permission. Hence, you have likely accessed a page belonging to the Bro group and pressed "Allow", "Allow Notifications", or a similar option – thus permitting the advertisement delivery.
I have clicked on notification ads, is my computer infected?
No, merely clicking on a browser notification is harmless. However, these ads endorse content capable of causing serious problems (including system infections).
Are the Bro websites viruses?
No, rogue sites (including those belonging to the Bro group) are not considered to be viruses, but they can endorse virulent content. Webpages of this kind often promote online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and even malware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Bro website ads automatically or manual steps are still required?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and revoke the permissions given to this webpage. It will also block all further access to this and other rogue/malicious sites. Therefore, no additional steps will be necessary.
Outstanding!
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