How to remove Light-Free adware and the ads it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Light-Free?
Light-Free is a rogue browser extension that promises to enable dark mode for simple design websites. Our research team discovered this piece of software while inspecting suspicious download webpages. After analyzing this browser extension, we learned that it operates as adware (i.e., runs intrusive advertisement campaigns).
Light-Free adware overview
Adware is designed to display ads on visited webpages and/or other interfaces. The adverts promote unreliable/harmful websites and software, online scams, and malware. Additionally, some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
While genuine products can be encountered via these ads, they are unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by their actual developers. Instead, this promotion is undertaken by scammers who abuse the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It must be mentioned that adware may require specific conditions to run intrusive ad campaigns, e.g., compatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc. However, even if Light-Free does not display adverts - its presence endangers device/user safety nonetheless.
This rogue browser extension spies on users' browsing activity. Information of interest may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of software like Light-Free on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Light-Free |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Light-Free |
| Supposed Functionality | Dark mode enablement for simple design 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; Audio Player, Find My Package For Free, Webpage Text Reader, and Mobile are just some of our newest finds.
Advertising-supported software tends to look legitimate. It offers a wide variety of useful features (e.g., Light-Free promises to create dark mode for sites); however, these functions are usually nonoperational.
How did Light-Free install on my computer?
We acquired Light-Free from its "official" promotional webpage, and we found a deceptive site endorsing this extension. Most users access websites of this kind through redirects caused by misspelled URLs, pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware (with the ability to force-open browsers).
Advertising-supported software is also proliferated using the bundling marketing method - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements. Download from dubious sources (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements are used to distribute adware. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears harmless. For example, intrusive adverts may look legitimate and innocuous, but they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you encounter advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Light-Free, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of Light-Free adware's "official" promotional website:
Screenshot of a deceptive website used to promote Light-Free 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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 Light-Free?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Light-Free application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Light-Free ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Light-Free' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Light-Free extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Light-Free 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 "Light-Free", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Light-Free ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Light-Free 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 "Light-Free" 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 light-free, 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 "Light-Free" 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 light-free 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 light-free, 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 light-free or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It typically has data tracking functionalities, which make this software a privacy threat. Furthermore, adware-delivered adverts endorse deceptive/malicious content that can cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of third-party graphical content (ads) on various interfaces. Some types can also cause redirects and gather private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs in the form of commissions earned for promoting various websites, applications, products, services, and other content.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Light-Free adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all adware-type apps present. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (done without the aid of security programs) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware has been manually removed - file leftovers remain within the system. Furthermore, the remaining content can continue running and causing problems. Therefore, it is paramount to remove advertising-supported software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion