GRIDMonetize Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GRIDMonetize?
The GRIDMonetize potentially unwanted program (PUP) claims to allow software developers monetize their free browser extensions or applications by adding various types of advertisement.
The developers of this dubious application employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install GRIDMonetize on computers without users' consent. Commonly, users infect their systems with this PUP when downloading free software from freeware download websites.
Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, GRIDMonetize generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
These intrusive advertisements include banner, text-link, full-page, and interstitial ads. Furthermore, GRIDMonetize continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information such as unique identifier numbers, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, Internet service providers, website URLs visited, pages viewed, browser types, and other similar details that are likely to be personally identifiable.
Although GRIDMonetize is not categorized as a virus or malware, the presence of this PUP on your system may cause high-risk malware infections and lead to serious privacy issues. For this reason you are strongly advised to eliminate GRIDMonetize from your system.
During research, this potentially unwanted program was distributed via small download programs ('download managers') employed by freeware download websites (such as download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, etc.) and fake downloads including Java updates, browser updates, and many others.
There are many dubious applications similar to the GRIDMonetize advertising platform. Examples include Aducky, InterYield, DailyOfferService, and Nav-Links - these are just a few examples among many others. These PUPs use intrusive online ads, which may appear on any site visited, and are bundled with third-party browser extensions.
These rogue browser plug-ins employ a virtual graphic layer to display advertisements on any existing website. Installation of GRIDMonetize, or other similar PUPs, can be prevented by paying close attention to each step of the free software download process and declining installation of any additional programs offered.
In addition, if you are invited to update your software, closely inspect the installation setup to ensure that it is legitimate. Internet users who have infected their computers with GRIDMonetize should read the following removal guide to eliminate this PUP.
Deceptive free software installer used in GRIDMonetize adware distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is GRIDMonetize?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GRIDMonetize application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GRIDMonetize ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GRIDMonetize advertisements from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Ads by GRIDMonetize from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GRIDMonetize extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GRIDMonetize 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 "GRIDMonetize", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes GRIDMonetize ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GRIDMonetize adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "GRIDMonetize", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that GRIDMonetize ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by gridmonetize, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "GRIDMonetize", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that GRIDMonetize ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by gridmonetize, 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". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "GRIDMonetize". Note that GRIDMonetize ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by gridmonetize 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 gridmonetize, 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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