How to remove the "style flex" adware-type browser extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is "style flex"?
Our researchers discovered a rogue browser extension named style flex while inspecting dubious download webpages. This piece of software promises to allow users to modify website content alignment (i.e., left, right, center, etc.). However, our analysis revealed that it operates as advertising-supported software (adware).
Style flex adware overview
Adware is designed to enable the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, surveys, and other ads) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.
The delivered advertisements endorse unreliable/harmful sites and software, online scams, and malware. Some intrusive ads are even able to perform stealthy downloads/installations once clicked on.
It is noteworthy that any legitimate products encountered through these adverts are highly unlikely to be promoted by their developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It has to be mentioned that advertising-supported software may need specific conditions to run intrusive ad campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system, visits to particular websites, etc.). However, regardless of whether style flex displays advertisements or not - its presence endangers device/user safety.
Furthermore, style flex has data tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of advertising-supported software like style flex on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by style flex |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | style flex |
| Supposed Functionality | Website content alignment adjustment |
| 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; Top Files Downloader, Tool, img book, and Dark Screen are merely some of our latest finds. This software typically appears legitimate and offers various features. However, these functionalities rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did style flex install on my computer?
We acquired style flex from a questionable download webpage. In addition to these sites, adware is pushed through online scams. Users typically access such webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Advertising-supported software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. 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 spread adware as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Additionally, installation must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.
We advise vigilance when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with advertisements/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 style flex, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the website used to promote style flex 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 style flex?
- STEP 1. Uninstall style flex application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove style flex ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by style flex' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove style flex extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Style flex 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 "style flex", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes style flex ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove style flex adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove style flex 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 "style flex" 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 style flex, 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 "style flex" 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 style flex 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 style flex, 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by style flex or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware may decrease browsing quality and/or system performance. It usually has data tracking abilities, which make this software a threat to user privacy. Adware-displayed adverts promote harmful content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Furthermore, advertising-supported software may be capable of force-opening sites and gathering private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue primarily via affiliate programs by endorsing websites, software, products, services, and so on.
Will Combo Cleaner remove style flex adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected adware-type apps. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the adware has been (manually) removed - file leftovers stay within the system. What s more, the remaining components may continue running and causing problems. Hence, it is crucial to remove advertising-supported software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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