Video Dimmer Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Video Dimmer?
Created by Small Island Development, Video Dimmer is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by allowing them to adjust the monitor light while watching online videos.
Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Video Dimmer is considered to be adware since it uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent.
Following successful infiltration, Video Dimmer tracks users' Internet browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements.
These intrusive advertisements include pop-up/under, interstitial, text/in-text, and banner ads. Clicking these advertisements is likely to cause high-risk adware or malware infections.
Furthermore, this PUP continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity by collecting information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, unique identifier numbers, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, browser types, operating systems, and other details that may be personally identifiable.
Video Dimmer is similar to other potentially unwanted applications offering identical functionality. For example: Theater-Max, Cinema-Plus, and Lights Out.
Neither Video Dimmer, nor any of these other browser plug-ins provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements. This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft, and therefore, Internet users are advised to uninstall Video Dimmer from their Internet browsers.
Research shows that Video Dimmer is mostly distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc.
Download clients are used by these websites as free service monetization tools, since they offer installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate') browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware often risks computer infection with adware or malware.
Installation of Video Dimmer can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and clicking 'Decline' if additional programs are offered.
Furthermore, if you have installed downloaded software, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, which will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.
If you have already installed Video Dimmer adware, and observe intrusive online advertisements while browsing the Internet, follow this removal guide to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.
Deceptive free software installer used in Video Dimmer adware distribution:
Video Dimmer adware installer setup:
Video Dimmer adware generating intrusive online ads ('by video dimmer'):
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 Video Dimmer?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Video Dimmer application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Video Dimmer ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Video Dimmer advertisements from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Ads by Video Dimmer from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Video Dimmer extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Video Dimmer 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 "Video Dimmer", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Video Dimmer ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Video Dimmer 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 "Video Dimmer", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Video Dimmer 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 video dimmer, 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: "Video Dimmer", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Video Dimmer 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 video dimmer, 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 "Video Dimmer". Note that Video Dimmer 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 video dimmer 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 video dimmer, 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 video dimmer or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion