How to eliminate Dark place adware and the advertisements it displays?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Dark place?
Dark place is a rogue browser extension promising to create a dark mode for simple websites. Instead, this piece of software operates as adware. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute adware-type products, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Dark place adware overview
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can display pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive ads. They diminish the browsing experience and pose a threat to device/user safety.
Intrusive adverts promote various sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and even malicious websites. Furthermore, some intrusive advertisements can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily - once they are clicked on.
What is more, Dark place has data tracking abilities. This applies to most adware-types. Information of interest includes browsing activity, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Name | Ads by Dark place |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Browser Extension(s) | Dark place |
Supposed Functionality | Dark mode creation for simple websites |
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
Windows Manager, Browser Guard, Youtube Ad Blocker, and AdBlock Popup & Ads are some examples of adware. This software usually appears legitimate and offers "useful" features, which rarely work.
In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue at user expense. PUAs are designed to run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers to promote fake search engines (browser hijackers), cause redirects, and collect private data.
How did Dark place install on my computer?
PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. This technique of packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements. By rushing through downloads/installations - users risk allowing bundled content into their devices.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. PUAs may also have "official" download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to always research software and download from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled/harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive appear legitimate and innocuous, yet they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
Should users encounter such ads and/or redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with Dark place, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the website used to promote Dark place 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 Dark place?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Dark place application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Dark place ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Dark place' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Dark place extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Dark place 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 "Dark place", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Dark place ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Dark place 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 "Dark place", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by dark place, 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 "Dark place".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by dark place 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 dark place, 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. This software (e.g., Dark place) usually has data tracking abilities, making it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-displayed ads can be deceptive/malicious and cause other severe issues.
What does adware do?
Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, adware displays adverts on any visited website and/or different interfaces.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue by promoting various websites, apps, products, services, etc. The developers of this software can earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Dark place adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all adware-type apps detected. It is noteworthy that manual removal might not be an ideal solution in all cases. Sometimes, even after the software itself is (manually) eliminated - various file leftovers remain hidden within the system. What is more, such components can continue running and causing issues.
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