Ads by FlashBeat
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is FlashBeat?
FlashBeat, a potentially unwanted program, claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by allowing rendering of graphics, text, and other interactive content within the browser. This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, FlashBeat is categorized as adware.
These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) employed by FlashBeat to install on Internet Browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.
After successful infiltration, this rogue application generates intrusive online advertisements including (but not limited to) coupons, comparison shopping, banner, inline text, pop-up and pop-under, and transitional ads. It is highly probable that these advertisements may cause further high-risk adware or malware computer infections.
Furthermore, this browser extension collects various software and hardware information such as IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other data that may be personally identifiable. This behavior can result in serious privacy issues or identity theft.
FlashBeat is similar to other rogue applications claiming to enable similar features. For example, MagnoPlayer, Current Weather Alert, Clean Browser, Storm Alert, etc.
Neither FlashBeat, nor any of these other applications, provide any significant value - they are developed to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected information with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall FlashBeat from your system immediately.
Today, most popular freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com and many others, employ small programs called 'download clients' to monetize their free services and traffic.
Download clients offer installation of additional applications or browser extensions together with the chosen software, claiming that they are '100% legitimate and virus-free'. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware commonly results in adware or malware infections.
To avoid this situation, closely inspect each step of the free software download process and never accept installation of any additional programs offered.
In addition, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick', 'Regular', or 'Typical' - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If you have installed FlashBeat, follow the removal guide provided to uninstall this adware from your system.
Deceptive free software installers used in FlashBeat adware distribution:
FlashBeat adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ads by FlashBeat'):
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:
- What is FlashBeat?
- STEP 1. Uninstall FlashBeat application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove FlashBeat adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove FlashBeat ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by FlashBeat' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove FlashBeat extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
FlashBeat 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 any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes FlashBeat ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove FlashBeat adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, FlashBeat 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-installer suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the flashbeat 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 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 flashbeat 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 flashbeat 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 flashbeat 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on flashbeat adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion