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Removal instructions for the Downloading Pro Media adware-type extension

Also Known As: Ads by Downloading Pro Media
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What kind of software is Downloading Pro Media?

While inspecting dubious sites, our researchers discovered the Downloading Pro Media browser extension. It is promoted as a tool for downloading a wide variety of content and managing downloads. Our analysis revealed that Downloading Pro Media is advertising-supported software (adware).

Downloading Pro Media adware

Downloading Pro Media adware overview

Typically, advertising-supported software functions by displaying ads (e.g., overlays, pop-ups, banners, coupons, etc.) on various interfaces like visited websites, desktops, or others.

These advertisements can promote online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.

It is worth mentioning that any genuine products or services encountered via adware-delivered ads are most likely endorsed by scammers seeking to acquire illegitimate commissions by abusing their affiliate programs.

It must be mentioned that adware may require specific conditions to operate as intended, such as a compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular websites, etc. However, even if Downloading Pro Media does not display adverts – its presence remains a threat to device integrity and user privacy.

Additionally, advertising-supported software tends to have data-tracking functionalities, and this is true of Downloading Pro Media.

Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. Collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like Downloading Pro Media on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Downloading Pro Media
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Browser Extension(s) Downloading Pro Media
Supposed Functionality Download tool
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).
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.
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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.

Adware examples

Ultra ButtonAdvanced Ad BlockerVolume booster - Increase Volume, movie-web remastered extension, and GuardFlare are just some of our latest articles on adware-type browser extensions.

Advertising-supported software often appears genuine and harmless. Users may be enticed into downloading/installing it by promises of various useful and advantageous functionalities. Usually, these functions are fake and nonoperational. Yet even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Downloading Pro Media install on my computer?

Downloading Pro Media has an "official" promotional page. However, adware is spread using various methods. Scam sites that utilize lures (e.g., security threats, critical upgrades, missing plug-ins, etc.) are also used.

These webpages are primarily entered via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, and installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used in adware distribution. These pre-packed setups can be downloaded from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.).

The risk of allowing bundled content into the device is furthered by inattentiveness when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps/sections, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing. Additionally, all downloads must be made from official and verified channels. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and dangerous content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look harmless – they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).

Should you keep encountering 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 Downloading Pro Media, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of the permissions asked by Downloading Pro Media adware:

Downloading Pro Media asking for various permissions

Screenshots of Downloading Pro Media adware's "official" promotional website:

Website promoting Downloading Pro Media adware 1 Website promoting Downloading Pro Media adware 2

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:

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for any unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the unwanted applications, 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 potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing unwanted ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Downloading Pro Media" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing unwanted ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by downloading pro media, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing unwanted ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removing unwanted ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by downloading pro media removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by downloading pro media, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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 downloading pro media or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can decrease browsing quality and system safety. This software displays ads promoting content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Adware also typically has data-tracking abilities – therefore, it is deemed to be a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It typically operates by enabling the placement of third-party graphical content on various interfaces. However, some types can also generate redirects and collect private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit by promoting content like websites, software, products, services, etc. Most of the revenue is made via affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Downloading Pro Media adware?

Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed adware-type apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal. In some instances, after the adware has been manually removed – various file remnants stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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About PCrisk

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Downloading Pro Media QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Downloading Pro Media on your mobile device.
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