Desktop Dock Adware

What is Desktop Dock?

The application Desktop Dock application installs a desktop widget claiming to allow users to reach their favourite websites with one click.

On initial inspection, this application may seem legitimate and useful, however, be aware that Desktop Dock is considered to be adware or an unwanted program since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on computers without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Desktop Dock generates various intrusive online advertisements including banner, interstitial, in-text, and transitional ads. There is a high probability that advertisements generated by Desktop Dock may lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

More about Desktop Dock

This unwanted program continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic locations), unique identifier numbers, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

This information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Desktop Dock is similar to other rogue apps that employ bundling as an installation method.

HD Quality, CloudGuard, Vaudix, and LookThisUp are just some examples among many others. The purpose of these programs is to generate revenue by delivering intrusive online ads and none deliver any real value to the user. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall Desktop Dock from your system.

Research shows that most users infect their computers with adware during download of free software via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com, etc. 

Download clients are used to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% virus-free') applications together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware risks computer infection with adware or malware.

Installation of Desktop Dock, or other similar adware, can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and declining any offers to install additional applications.

Furthermore, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed installation and allow you to decline them. If you have installed Desktop Dock, follow this removal guide to eliminate adware from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in Desktop Dock adware distribution:

Desktop Dock app screenshot:

Desktop Dock adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ad by Desktop Dock'):

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Quick menu:

• What is Desktop Dock?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Desktop Dock application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Desktop Dock ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Desktop Dock advertisements from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Ads by Desktop Dock from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Desktop Dock extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Desktop Dock 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 "DesktopDock", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Desktop Dock ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Desktop Dock 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 "DesktopDock", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that DesktopDock 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 desktop dock, 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 "Extensions". Locate: "DesktopDock", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that DesktopDock 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 desktop dock, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "DesktopDock". Note that DesktopDock 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 desktop dock 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 desktop dock, 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 desktop dock or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can cause various harms, including intrusive and disruptive advertising, slowed system performance, privacy invasion by tracking user behavior, and potential exposure to malicious content or malware through deceptive ads and sponsored links.

What does adware do?

Adware displays unwanted advertisements. Also, software of this type can be utilized as a tool to collect information and promote fake search engines.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Developers of adware typically earn income by endorsing diverse products, websites, or services, with a significant portion of their revenue coming from participation in affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Desktop Dock adware?

Certainly, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove any undesired and even malicious apps. It is important to note that manual removal may not be entirely effective. Some of the components may still be present and active even after deleting adware.

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