Ads by S5Mark

What is S5Mark?

S5Mark (also know as s5m) is a rogue application claiming to provide anonymous, safe, and fast VPN services with unlimited bandwidth. This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, S5Mark is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

S5Mark is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', which allows Internet browser infiltration during installation of other programs.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, S5Mark generates intrusive online advertisements (banner, in-text, search, pop-up, etc.) that may lead to further computer infections.

Additionally, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since S5Mark collects various software and hardware information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine users' geo-locations), URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, cookies, and other web browsing information that may be personally identifiable.

This behavior can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Be aware that S5Mark is similar to other PUPs that claim to provide various useful >features. Some examples are MyRadioPlayer, VisualDiscovery, FindingDiscounts, and IntelliTerm among many others.

Neither S5Mark, nor any of these other applications, are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall S5Mark from your system.

Today, most adware is distributed using small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc.

These websites employ download managers to monetize their free services and traffic by offering installation of additional (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Despite these statements, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To avoid these infections, closely inspect each step of the free software download process and uncheck all additional applications listed for installation.

Furthermore, all downloaded software should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. If your system is infected with S5Mark, follow the instructions below to uninstall S5Mark from your system.

Update 21 April, 2017 - s5mark adware is now bundled with an application called “SmartService” - it prevents execution of security software and is considered malicious. PC users are advised to remove s5mark together with “SmartService” as soon as possible.

If you are having trouble launching a security application to remove this adware try renaming it’s executable to iexpore.exe This should trick the “SmartService” app and allow executing legitimate anti-malware software to eliminate this malware.

Screenshot of S5Mark application:

Deceptive free software installers used in S5Mark adware distribution:

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 S5Mark?
• STEP 1. Uninstall S5Mark application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove S5Mark adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove S5Mark ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by S5Mark' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove S5Mark ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

S5Mark 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 "s5mark" or "s5m", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes S5Mark ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove S5Mark adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, S5Mark 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 s5mark 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 and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the s5mark 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 s5mark 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 s5mark 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 s5mark adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion