How to uninstall the Drinker adware-type application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of app is Drinker?
Drinker is the name of a rogue application that our researchers discovered while inspecting dubious download webpages. This app is endorsed as a tool allowing users to set notifications (reminders) of when to drink water. However, our analysis of Drinker revealed that it operates as advertising-supported software (adware).
Drinker adware overview
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (various advertisements) on visited websites and other interfaces.
The displayed ads endorse untrustworthy/dangerous sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to make downloads/installations without user consent.
It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered through these adverts are unlikely to be promoted by their developers. This endorsement is usually undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It has to be mentioned that advertising-supported software may require specific conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular websites, etc.). However, regardless of whether Drinker (or other adware) delivers advertisements - its presence on a system endangers device and user safety.
What is more, Drinker likely has data tracking abilities. Adware usually collects visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like Drinker on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Drinker |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Setting water drinking reminders (notifications) |
| Detection Names (installer) | Zillya (Adware.Alien.Win32.23), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (app) | Zillya (Adware.Alien.Win32.23), Full List Of Detections (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 examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; Pop Out Player, Fine Video Tuning, Best Files Downloader, and Filmatory are merely some examples. This software usually appears ordinary and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational.
How did Drinker install on my computer?
We downloaded Drinker from its "official" promotional webpage. Adware is also distributed via scam websites. Most users typically access these sites through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, webpages using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Additionally, advertising-supported software is proliferated by intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
"Bundling" - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements - is used to spread adware as well. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of permitting bundled content into the device.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading it from official and verified sources. Installation must be approached with caution. Therefore, we recommend reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements and/or redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Drinker, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of Drinker adware's installation setup:
Screenshot of the Drinker adware-type application:
Screenshots of websites used to promote Drinker 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 Drinker?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Drinker application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Drinker ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Drinker' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Drinker extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Drinker 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 "Drinker", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Drinker ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Drinker adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Drinker did not install its browser plug-ins on Microsoft Edge, 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 drinker, 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 drinker 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 drinker, 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. It is deemed to be a threat to user privacy, as this software usually has data tracking abilities. Adware-delivered ads promote harmful content that can cause severe problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display adverts on visited webpages and/or other interfaces. Additionally, this software may be capable of causing redirects to various websites and gathering private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs by endorsing various sites, products, services, etc. Adware developers can earn commissions from ad clicks, webpage visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Drinker adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating installed adware-type apps. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be effective. In some cases, even after the adware itself has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) can stay hidden within the system. What is more, these components can continue running and causing issues. Hence, it is paramount to remove adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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