Ads by TrueDownloader
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is TrueDownloader?
TrueDownloader is a rogue application claiming to increase Internet download speeds. On initial inspection, this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, be aware that TrueDownloader is considered to be adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
The developers of this rogue browser extension employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install TrueDownloader on Internet browsers without users' permission.
After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, TrueDownloader generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
Advertisements generated by this rogue application include (but are not limited to) banner, pop-up, search, interstitial, and transitional ads. There is a high probability that clicking advertisements generated by TrueDownloader will cause high-risk adware or malware infections.
Furthermore, this PUP continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information that is likely to be personally identifiable.
For example: IP addresses (to determine geographic locations), unique identifier numbers, browser data (cookies, web beacons, website URLs visited, search queries entered, pages viewed, etc.), and other similar details.
This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.
TrueDownloader is similar to other potentially unwanted programs that use bundling as an installation method. Examples include Savings Downloader, GameHug, VeriBrowse, and Forever Net.
None of these applications (including TrueDownloader) provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads, enforcing unwanted browser redirects, and sharing collected information with third parties.
Close examination of TrueDownloader reveals that it is mostly distributed via small download programs (called 'download clients', 'installers', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites.
Download programs are used by these websites as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of promoted (according to developers '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software.
Thus, careless download and installation of freeware risks computer infection with adware or malware. Installation of TrueDownloader can be prevented by paying close attention during the download of free software and never accepting installation of any additional applications offered.
Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' 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 installed TrueDownloader, read the removal instructions provided and eliminate this adware from your system.
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Quick menu:
- What is TrueDownloader?
- STEP 1. Uninstall TrueDownloader application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove TrueDownloader ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove TrueDownloader advertisements from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by TrueDownloader' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove TrueDownloader extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
TrueDownloader 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 "TrueDownloader", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes TrueDownloader ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove TrueDownloader 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 "TrueDownloader", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the truedownloader 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: "TrueDownloader", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the truedownloader 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 "TrueDownloader".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with truedownloader 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 truedownloader 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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