How to uninstall the OpenBook adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is OpenBook?
OpenBook is an application categorized as adware. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., delivers various ads. Additionally, OpenBook likely has data tracking abilities. Since most users download/install adware products inadvertently, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
OpenBook adware in detail
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software delivers pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements. They severely diminish the browsing experience by overlying webpage content and slow down the browsing speed.
The displayed ads can be misleading, untrustworthy, and even harmful. Intrusive adverts promote a variety of sale-based, rogue, unreliable, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites. Furthermore, some of these advertisements can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily - when they are clicked on.
What is more, adware usually has data tracking abilities; hence, OpenBook likely has such functionalities as well. Targeted information includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so forth. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is highly recommended to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by OpenBook |
| Detection Names (application) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (installer setup) | N/A (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. |
Adware in general
InstaQuick, Recipe Buddy, AdBlock Now, and SketchBall are some examples of apps within the adware category. They appear ordinary and innocuous. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of "handy" features, which are typically nonoperational.
In fact, practically all PUAs use fake functionalities as bait. The only goal of unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, force-open unreliable and malicious webpages, hijack browsers, and collect private information.
How did OpenBook install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g., OpenBook) have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded. These applications are also spread via intrusive advertisements. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install this software without user permission.
PUAs are distributed via downloaders/installers of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., ignored terms, skipped sections, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software before download/installation. Furthermore, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and hazardous content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate; however, they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be inspected and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with OpenBook, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of OpenBook adware's installation setup:
Screenshot of the website used to promote OpenBook 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 OpenBook?
- STEP 1. Uninstall OpenBook application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove OpenBook ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by OpenBook' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove OpenBook extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
OpenBook 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 "OpenBook", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes OpenBook ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove OpenBook adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, OpenBook 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 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 openbook, 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 plugins 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 openbook 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 openbook, 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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