Removal instructions for the colors scale adware-type browser extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "colors scale"?
Colors scale is the name of a browser extension that promises to allow users to change the color, saturation, contrast, and similar appearance details of visited websites. However, our analysis of this piece of software revealed that it operates as adware instead.
Colors scale adware overview
Advertising-supported software is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (adverts) on visited sites and/or other interfaces.
These ads endorse online scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Additionally, once clicked on, some intrusive adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered through these advertisements are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Furthermore, advertising-supported software may require specific conditions (e.g., compatible browser/system, visits to particular websites, etc.) to deliver intrusive ad campaigns. However, whether colors scale displays ads is irrelevant since its presence on a system endangers device/user safety regardless.
What is more, colors scale spies on users' browsing activity. Adware typically targets visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance/banking-related information, and so forth. The collected data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like colors scale on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by colors scale |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | colors scale |
| Supposed Functionality | Tool to change visited webpage color, saturation, contrast, etc. |
| 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; Video Player, Make It Dark, what color, and Dark Mode Online are merely some of our latest finds. Advertising-supported software usually appears harmless and offers "handy" functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did colors scale install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
Adware is also promoted on questionable webpages and scam sites. Most users access such websites through redirects caused by pages that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Furthermore, installation processes must be be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
We also advise being vigilant when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content usually looks harmless. For example, intrusive adverts appear ordinary and innocuous - however, they redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with colors scale, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this 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 colors scale?
- STEP 1. Uninstall colors scale application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove colors scale ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by colors scale' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove colors scale extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Colors scale 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 "colors scale", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes colors scale ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove colors scale adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove colors scale adware using Combo Cleaner:
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 "colors scale" 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 colors scale, 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 "colors scale" 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 colors scale 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 colors scale, 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 threatens device integrity and user privacy. The ads this software delivers primarily promote deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, adware may be capable of force-opening sites and collecting private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates most of the profit via affiliate programs by endorsing websites, software, apps, services, etc. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove colors scale adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all adware-type applications detected. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal. Since despite the adware being (manually) removed - leftover files may remain within the system. Furthermore, the remaining components might continue running and causing problems. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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