Removing the Make It Dark adware-type browser extension and its adverts
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is "Make It Dark"?
Make It Dark is a rogue browser extension that we discovered while inspecting questionable download webpages. This piece of software is promoted as a tool capable of enabling dark mode for browsers. However, our analysis revealed that Make It Dark operates as adware instead.
Make It Dark adware overview
Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These adverts endorse untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of making stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered through these ads are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Note that adware might not deliver advertisements if certain conditions are unmet (e.g., browser/system or user geolocation are incompatible, particular sites are not visited, etc.). However, whether Make It Dark displays adverts is irrelevant - since its presence endangers device/user safety regardless.
Additionally, Make It Dark spies on users' browsing activity. Advertising-supported software usually collects visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of software like Make It Dark on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Make It Dark |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Make It Dark |
| Supposed Functionality | Dark mode for browsers |
| 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; what color, Avoiding Ads, Helperate, and Dark Surfing are just a few examples.
Advertising-supported software tends to look ordinary and innocuous. It also offers various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did Make It Dark install on my computer?
We acquired Make It Dark from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such dubious download sites, adware is pushed through online scams.
Most users access these webpages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
Advertising-supported software can also be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute adware as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting possible options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplementary apps, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads look ordinary and harmless - however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Make It Dark, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the website used to promote Make It Dark 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 Make It Dark?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Make It Dark application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Make It Dark ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Make It Dark' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Make It Dark extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Make It Dark 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 "Make It Dark", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Make It Dark ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Make It Dark 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 "Make It Dark" and all 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 make it dark, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Make It Dark" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by make it dark 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 make it dark, 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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. It typically has data tracking functionalities, which make it a privacy threat. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads promote dangerous content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of various advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, some types can force-open websites and collect vulnerable information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit is generated through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, products, applications, services, etc. Adware developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, file downloads, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Make It Dark adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all adware-type applications detected. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, despite the adware being (manually) removed - various file leftovers stay within the system. What is more, these components might continue running and causing problems. Hence, thoroughness is essential for advertising-supported software removal.
Outstanding!
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