Removal instructions for Movieholic adware-type browser extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Movieholic?
Movieholic is the name of a rogue browser extension that promises easy access to film streaming websites. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware. In other words, Movieholic runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, and it has data tracking functionalities.
Movieholic adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These ads endorse untrustworthy/harmful webpages and applications, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts are capable of making stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is pertinent to mention that any genuine products encountered via these advertisements are most likely promoted by scammers who abuse their affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.
Note that adware may require specific conditions to run intrusive ad campaigns (e.g., visits to particular websites, compatible browser/system or user geolocation, etc.). However, whether Movieholic displays adverts is irrelevant since its presence endangers device and user safety regardless.
Furthermore, Movieholic likely collects private information. Targeted data may include visited sites, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like Movieholic on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Name | Ads by Movieholic |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Browser Extension(s) | Movieholic |
Supposed Functionality | Easy access to movie streaming websites. |
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; Nino Colors, OpenCandy, Eye Protection, and darkscreen are just a few of our latest finds.
Advertising-supported software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did Movieholic install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate adware. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
Advertising-supported software can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through scam sites. Users typically access these pages via redirects caused by spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, sites using rogue advertising networks, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.
We advise exercising caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts look ordinary and harmless, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Movieholic, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of a website promoting Movieholic 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 Movieholic?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Movieholic application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Movieholic ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Movieholic' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Movieholic extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Movieholic 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 "Movieholic", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Movieholic ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Movieholic adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Movieholic 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 "Movieholic" 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 movieholic, 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 "Movieholic" 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 movieholic 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 movieholic, 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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It typically has data tracking abilities, which make this software a privacy threat. Adware-delivered advertisements promote deceptive/malicious content that can cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to enable the placement of third-party graphical content (advertisements) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Furthermore, this software may be capable of causing redirects and gathering private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate most of their profit via affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, products, services, and other content.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Movieholic adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and eliminating all the adware-type applications present. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be effective. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) get left behind. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue to run and cause issues. Hence, thoroughness is essential to adware removal.
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