Ads by CrossBrowse
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is CrossBrowse?
CrossBrowser is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to offer the functionality of a regular Internet browser. While CrossBrowser may seem to be a legitimate application, be aware that it is categorized as adware.
The developers of CrossBrowser employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' permission. Following successful infiltration, CrossBrowser tracks users' Internet browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements.
CrossBrowser collects various software and hardware information such as Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and data (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, cookies, etc.), operating system, time and date, and other details that are likely to be personally identifiable.
This behavior may cause serious privacy issues or identity theft. Furthermore, advertisements generated by this rogue application include (but are not limited to) banner, pop-up, interstitial, and in-text ads. It is highly probable that these advertisements will lead to further adware or malware infections, and therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall this potentially unwanted application from your Internet browser.
There are many rogue applications similar to CrossBrowser. Some examples are BoBrowser, Fun For me, and SoftwareRefresher. None of these applications are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties.
Research shows that most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com. These websites employ download managers to monetize their free services and traffic by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen software.
Installation of this rogue application can be avoided by closely observing each step of the free software download procedure and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is 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 CrossBrowser, your Google Chrome icon has been deleted from the Desktop, and you are experiencing intrusive online ads, read the following removal guide and eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.
Screenshot of CrossBrowser application:
Deceptive free software installers used in CrossBrowser ('CrossBrwose') adware distribution:
CrossBrowse adware generating intrusive online ads ('by Crossbrowse-1.4):
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Quick menu:
- What is CrossBrowser?
- STEP 1. Uninstall CrossBrowser application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove CrossBrowser adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove CrossBrowser ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by CrossBrowser' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove CrossBrowser extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
CrossBrowse 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 "CrossBrowse", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes CrossBrowser ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove CrossBrowse adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, CrossBrowser did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the crossbrowse 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 "Extensions". Locate: all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the crossbrowse 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with crossbrowse 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 crossbrowse 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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