How to remove Diet adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Diet?
Diet is the name of adware (advertising-supported software) that shows unwanted applications. Our team discovered it after inspecting an ISO file downloaded from a deceptive website. The purpose of the Diet is to display unwanted (intrusive) advertisements. This untrustworthy software should be removed from computers.
More about Diet adware
Advertisements generated by Diet can open phishing websites (deceptive pages asking to provide sensitive information), various technical support scam pages, websites hosting potentially malicious applications, etc. Also, these ads can cover the contents of websites while browsing the Internet.
Usually, apps like Diet show unwanted pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, etc. Sometimes, these advertisements can be used to distribute unwanted apps - they can be designed to run certain scripts to start unexpected downloads and installations. Clicking on those ads can also open malicious pages.
| Name | Ads by Diet adware |
| Threat Type | Adware |
| Detection Names (ISO file) | Arcabit (Application.AdSearch), Combo Cleaner (Application.AdSearch), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.AdSearch.gen), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Application) | Alibaba (AdWare:Script/AdSearch.8799f417), Combo Cleaner (Application.AdSearch), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of JS/Chromex.Agent.BM), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.AdSearch.gen), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Rogue Proccess Name | Diet soft Copyright © All rights reserved |
| 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
Advertising-supported applications bombard users with annoying/intrusive advertisements that can open untrustworthy websites. Sometimes, they can hijack web browsers and gather information. Most of these apps are promoted/distributed using deceptive pages and other shady methods. More adware examples are Magnifying Glass Zoom, Top Files Downloader, and style flex.
How did adware install on my computer?
Diet installs after launching the "Install" file (in the ISO file downloaded from a deceptive page) and finishing the installation process. It may be distributed in other ways too. Other popular ways to distribute adware are to use fake installers, software bundles, and advertisements (by designing ads to run certain scripts).
When adware is bundled with other programs, it gets installed after finishing the installation process without making changes in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or unticking checkboxes. It is common for adware to be installed alongside other software after users complete installations without changing the settings mentioned above.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Never download apps from questionable/suspicious websites. Download them from official websites and stores. Do not click on advertisements appearing on adult dating, gambling, torrent, illegal movie streaming, and similar sites. Also, never agree to receive notifications from dubious pages.
Check downloaders and installers for unwanted applications before downloading and installing programs. Make sure not to have any adware or other suspicious software installed on the operating system or added to a web browser. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive website offering to download Diet adware:
Contents of the ISO file downloaded from a deceptive page:
Screenshots of Diet adware processes in Windows Task Manager ("Diet soft Copyright © All rights reserved", "Diet software Copyright © all rights reserved 2022"):
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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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Diet?
- 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 all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by diet adware, 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 diet adware 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 diet adware, 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?
A computer may run slower while adware is installed. Also, the browsing experience may be diminished due to advertisements covering the contents of visited websites. In some cases, adware can invade privacy by gathering information about users.
What does adware do?
It is common for adware to be promoted as legitimate and useful software. However, apps like Diet rarely provide any value. Their purpose is to show various advertisements.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most adware developers are affiliates who monetize adware by participating in affiliate programs. They use adware to promote products, services, web pages, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Diet adware?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove adware and all components belonging to it. We recommend using Combo Cleaner for removal because it can be difficult to remove adware manually without leaving anything behind. Files or other components belonging to adware may remain in the system even after the (manual) removal.
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