Ads by SpeedChecker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SpeedChecker?
Developed by Virtue Interactive Ltd, SpeedChecker is a rogue application claiming to enable users to monitor their Internet speed. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that SpeedChecker is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed by SpeedChecker to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.
Bundling allows developers to stealthily distribute their applications together with other software, and therefore, most users inadvertently install SpeedChecker during download of free software from freeware download websites.
Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, SpeedChecker generates numerous intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up/under, in-text, and display ads. There is a high probability that clicking these advertisements will cause high-risk adware or malware infections.
Furthermore, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored since this potentially unwanted program records various software and hardware information such as unique identifier numbers, IP addresses (used to determine users' geo-locations), web browser data (cookies, web beacons, search queries entered, website URLs visited, pages viewed, etc.), and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.
This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft. SpeedChecker is similar to other PUPs that use bundling as an installation method. Boost, Nextcoup, and SpeedCheck are just some examples among many others.
Neither SpeedChecker, nor any of these other applications are useful to the user - their aim is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads, enforcing unwanted browser redirects, and sharing recorded information with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate SpeedChecker from your Internet browsers.
Research shows that most adware is distributed via small download programs (called 'installers', 'download clients', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com.
These programs are used to monetize the free services and traffic of the download sites by offering installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') applications together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.
Installation of SpeedChecker, or other similar adware, can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.
Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.
If you have already installed SpeedChecker and experience intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, follow the removal instructions provided to uninstall this adware from your Internet browsers.
Deceptive free software installers used in SpeedChecker adware distribution:
Intrusive online banner ads generated by SpeedChecker adware ('Ads by SpeedChecker'):
SpeedChecker adware generating in-text ads ('Ads by SpeedChecker'):
Deceptive free software installers used in SpeedChecker adware distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is SpeedChecker?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SpeedChecker application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SpeedChecker ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SpeedChecker advertisements from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Ads by SpeedChecker from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove SpeedChecker extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SpeedChecker 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 "SpeedChecker", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes SpeedChecker ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SpeedChecker 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 "SpeedChecker", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the speedchecker adware, 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: "SpeedChecker", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the speedchecker adware, 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 "SpeedChecker".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with speedchecker adware 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 speedchecker adware, 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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Outstanding!
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