How to eliminate MinePass adware and the adverts it displays?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is MinePass?
MinePass is an adware-type browser extension. It is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns and collect users' private data. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute adware products, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
MinePass adware overview
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) on any visited site and/or different interfaces. The displayed ads diminish the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety.
Intrusive advertisements promote various sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious websites. Furthermore, some of these adverts are capable of infiltrating software (e.g., PUAs) into systems - when they are clicked on.
Most adware-types can track data, and MinePass is not an exception. Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, and personally identifiable details. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of unwanted applications on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by MinePass |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | MinePass |
| 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
TravelBook, Wind Blocker, and Speed Check are a few examples of adware. This software appears legitimate and offers "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities, which are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to nearly PUAs. Instead of operating as promised, these apps can deliver intrusive advert campaigns, force-open webpages, hijack browsers, and gather sensitive data.
How did MinePass install on my computer?
PUAs are spread by using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Select PUAs also have "official" promotional/download pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is crucial to always research software and download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled and harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, yet they redirect to unreliable and dubious sites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with MinePass, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this 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 MinePass?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MinePass application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MinePass ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by MinePass' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove MinePass extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MinePass 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 "MinePass", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes MinePass ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MinePass 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 "MinePass", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by minepass, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "MinePass".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by minepass 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 minepass, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. Furthermore, adware (e.g., MinePass) usually has data tracking abilities - which makes it a threat to user privacy. What is more, adware-delivered ads can promote dubious/malicious content that can cause other severe issues.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., display various ads on any visited site and/or different interfaces.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue by endorsing websites, applications, services, and similar. The developers of this software can earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, service subscriptions, product purchases, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove MinePass adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal may not be ideal. In some cases, even once the software itself is deleted - leftover files remain hiding within the system. Furthermore, such remnants can continue running and causing issues.
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