How to eliminate Dark Surfing unwanted application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Dark Surfing?
Dark Surfing application is described as an app allowing users to switch their browser to dark mode. However, after testing the app, we found that it generates advertisements. Thus, our team has classified Dark Surfing as adware. Typically, users do not add (or install) adware on purpose - they cause it inadvertently.
More about Dark Surfing
Usually, advertising-supported applications bombard users with banners, coupons, pop-ups, and other types of advertisements. Clicking on ads displayed by Dark Surfing can open questionable/potentially malicious pages. Those ads may open technical support scam websites, phishing sites, download pages for dubious apps, etc.
Also, Dark Surfing can read and change data on visited websites. It may be used to gather various information (e.g., IP addresses, browsing-related data, or even sensitive information). Thus, having Dark Surfing adware on a web browser may lead to problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, unwanted downloads, or even installations.
| Name | Ads by Dark Surfing |
| Threat Type | Adware |
| Symptoms | Your computer becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| 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
The purpose of advertising-supported software is to display various advertisements. In addition to showing ads, adware can be capable of hijacking a web browser and collecting information. A big part of adware-type apps is distributed using questionable methods. Thus, users often download and install it unknowingly.
More adware examples are Video Skipping Over, Finding Solutions, and Keep It Dark.
How did adware install on my computer?
In most cases, adware is promoted and distributed using shady websites, deceptive advertisements, and downloaders/installers for other software. Downloaders and installers used to distribute adware have ticked checkboxes, "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings.
Adware gets downloaded or installed after users download or install software bundled with adware without changing the settings mentioned above (without deselecting optional downloads/installations). Advertisements can cause downloads or installations only when designed to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not download or install programs without checking their downloaders and installers for unwanted apps. Deselect optional downloads/installations before downloading/installing programs. Also, do not click on advertisements appearing on dubious, questionable pages. Always use official pages to download applications.
If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Website promoting Dark Surfing:
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 Surfing?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
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 any unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove 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 Surfing" or other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by dark surfing, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by dark surfing 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 surfing, 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 slow down a computer, diminish the web browsing experience, invade privacy, and (or) cause other problems.
What does adware do?
The main purpose of adware is to feed users with various advertisements. Additionally, it can be designed to promote fake search engines and gather information about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, adware developers are affiliates who participate in affiliate programs to promote various services, products, websites, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Dark Surfing adware?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove all adware-type applications. It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always completely work - files or other components belonging to adware remain in the operating system even when adware itself is no longer present.
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