FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Fake ads in Google search results

Also Known As: Strange ads in Google search results
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What are the strange ads that appear in Google search results?

Our research team is seeing a rise in adware that uses a graphical layer over Google Internet search results to display advertisements.

Computer users experiencing this adware will observe various ads and links to dubious websites (that promote potentially unwanted programs [PUPs], dubious medicinal products, dating services, etc.) while searching the Internet using Google. These deceptive tactics are used by many adware (or potentially unwanted applications) developers.

If you experience unconventional Google search results, check any recently-installed browser add-ons - they are often the cause of rogue ads. These ads alone are not categorized as viruses or malware, however, clicking them can cause serious privacy breaches and computer security issues.

Rogue ads appearing in Google search results - caused by adware

Commonly, these ads lead to dubious websites, and you are advised not to navigate to them. Many computer users report that they did not willingly install any browser plug-ins, however, still observe unwanted ads within Google search results. This situation may occur if computer users have recently downloaded and installed free software.

Many download websites employ 'download clients', which manage the process of freeware download and offer (some in a deceptive way) installation of additional (promoted) free browser extensions.

Internet users who do not pay close enough attention to the download or installation steps of free software risk inadvertently installing adware, which subsequently causes rogue ads when searching the Internet using Google.

Note that Google has its own advertising platform - all ads delivered by this Internet search engine are marked and are comprehensively checked. Google is the safest Internet search engine, and clicking ads in Google will not harm your computer.

Adware developers, however, are capable of imposing a virtual graphic layer over Google search results, and then displaying random ads linking to dubious websites. To avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications causing dubious ads in Google, be attentive when downloading free software.

If your download is managed by a download client, look for the 'decline' button and opt-out of installation of any promoted programs or browser add-ons. If you observe unusual ads when searching the Internet using Google, use the removal guide provided to eliminate adware causing them.

When trying to determine the cause of unusual ads within Google search results, look for ads that are 'marked'. For example, in the screenshot below you can see a hijacked Google search results page. It is clear in this case that the computer is infected by 'browsers+apps+' adware (an ad marked as being 'Powered by browsers+apps+').

Rogue ads that are inserted into Google search results are sometimes not marked - in this case, look for suspicious applications using Control Panel. At time of testing, the unmarked rogue ads appearing within Google search results were caused by Veba Search adware.

This adware is known to install on Internet browsers together with free software downloaded from the Internet. After successful infiltration, this adware displays rogue ads within Google search results that redirect Internet users to the following websites:

  • vebasearch.com
  • rapidsearch123.com
  • search.beesq.net
  • getmylistings.net
  • google.aaclik.com

A sample of a hijacked Google search results page (by adware called "Browser Apps+"):

a sample of adware causing rogue ads in Google Internet search results

Another sample of a hijacked Google search results page (by adware called "Browser Warden"):

rogue ads in Google search results caused by Browser Warden adware

Appearance (.gif) of rogue ads in google.com (these ads are injected by adware):

rogue ads (injected by adware) in google.com appearance (.gif)

Rogue ads injected on top of legitimate search results (GIF):

Fake ads injected into Google search results

Fake Google Translate extension injecting rogue ads into search results:

Fake Google Translate extension used to inject ads into Google search results

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:

Strange ads in Google search results 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.

Uninstalling adware causing rogue ads in Google via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove". For example: "HQ-Video-Pro-2.1V27.10", "HC-PRO 1.2V27.10", "VebaSearch", and "videosMediaPlayerversion2.1".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs (that cause strange ads in Google search results), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware that hijacks Google search results from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logo Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed browser add-ons and remove them. Note that, by default, there should be no browser extensions.

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the strange ads in google search results, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logo Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed (potentially unwanted) browser add-ons and click the trash can icon.

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the strange ads in google search results, 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 logo Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed add-ons. Note that, by default, the extensions list in Firefox is empty.

Removing adware causing strange ads in Google search results from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with strange ads in google search results 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 strange ads in google search results, 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 strange ads in google search results or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion

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.

Our malware removal guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

Removal Instructions in other languages
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
Strange ads in Google search results QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Strange ads in Google search results on your mobile device.
We Recommend:

Get rid of Windows malware infections today:

▼ REMOVE IT NOW
Download Combo Cleaner

Platform: Windows

Editors' Rating for Combo Cleaner:
Editors ratingOutstanding!

[Back to Top]

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.