Removing Test Certificate adware from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Test Certificate?
After installing this suspicious browser extension, our researchers classified Test Certificate as adware. While this piece of software claims to provide the service of easy website verification, it operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns instead. Our research also revealed that Test Certificate spies on users' browsing activity.
Test Certificate adware overview
Once installed onto our test system, Test Certificate began displaying intrusive ads (e.g., pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.).
It is worth mentioning that adware is reliant on various factors (e.g., geolocation, system/browser specs, visits to specific websites, etc.); hence, it can work differently for users. In other words, what adware does and promotes may vary significantly from user to user.
The extensive research we have done into adware-type software allows us to summarize it thusly - apps/ browser extensions of this kind usually deliver misleading, deceptive, and even dangerous advertisements. This third-party graphical content diminishes the browsing experience and endangers device/user safety.
The displayed adverts typically endorse untrustworthy/harmful websites and applications, online scams, and malware. Some intrusive ads can even stealthily download/install software - upon being clicked.
Furthermore, we observed Test Certificate requesting permission to track data. In general, adware targets the following information: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data is often monetized through sale to third-parties.
Therefore, the presence of software like Test Certificate on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Test Certificate |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Test Certificate |
| Supposed Functionality | Website verification |
| 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 examples
AlphaSpeedBooster, Adskip PRO, BackLinks Monitor, SafeTravel, and Pureweb are some examples of our researched adware. This software appears legitimate and handy. We have noted that the features adware promises seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational. Due to the prevalence of such software, we recommend researching products prior to download/installation and/or purchase.
How did Test Certificate install on my computer?
Our researchers found Test Certificate on its "official" promotional site, which was accessed via deceptive browser notification.
However, this and other adware-type products can be encountered variously. Dubious promotional/download webpages can be entered through redirects caused by browser notifications/ intrusive ads, pages using rogue advertising networks, or force-opened by installed harmful software.
Adware developers also spread their creations by bundling (packing) them with other software. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate adware as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We recommend downloading only from official and verified sources. Additionally, download/installation processes must be treated with care. Therefore, our researchers advise reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, tools, functions, etc.
It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive advertisements may appear harmless - however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).
Should you encounter such ads and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with Test Certificate, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the website used to promote Test Certificate adware:
Screenshot of a deceptive site promoting Test Certificate 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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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 Test Certificate?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Test Certificate application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Test Certificate ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Test Certificate' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Test Certificate extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Test Certificate 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 "Test Certificate", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Test Certificate ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Test Certificate 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 "Test Certificate", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by test certificate, 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 "Test Certificate".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by test certificate 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 test certificate, 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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If you have additional information on ads by test certificate or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware is deemed to be a hindrance to browsing and optimal system performance and a threat to device integrity and user privacy. To elaborate, this software can negatively affect browsing quality and system performance, collect and sell users' private data, and cause other severe issues through the ads it displays.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software; it is designed to enable the placement of third-party graphical content (advertisements) on visited websites and/or other interfaces.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs through the promotion of various sites, apps, services, etc. Adware developers may earn commission from ad clicks, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Test Certificate adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected adware-type apps. On the other hand, manual removal might not be as effective. In some cases, even after the software itself is (manually) removed - various remnants (files) are left behind in the system. What is more, the remaining components can continue running and causing problems. Therefore, it is paramount to remove adware immediately and thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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