Ads by DownSave

What is DownSave?

The DownSave browser extension claims to save time and money by providing features such as coupons, comparison shopping, and the display of special deals/discounts available on websites. Although this may seem legitimate and useful functionality, this rogue application is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers of DownSave employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install their product on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, DownSave delivers intrusive online advertisements such as banner, pop-up, coupon, price comparison, etc. These can lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, this PUP collects various information relating to user-Internet browsing. For example: Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine users' geographic locations), search queries entered into search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.), website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other information that may be personally identifiable.

This information tracking can result in serious privacy issues or identity theft. DownSave is similar to hundreds of other applications that claim to enable identical features. Some examples are SaveLots, Shop and Save Up, AllCheapPrice, Takesave, BrowserServices, among many others.

Applications such as DownSave provide no real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive ads and sharing collected information with third parties. You are strongly advised to uninstall DownSave from your system.

Today, most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites including softonic.com, soft32.com, and download.com.

Download clients are used to monetize these websites' traffic and free services by offering installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser plug-ins together with the chosen software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware risks computer infection with adware or malware.

To avoid installation of DownSave, or other similar adware, closely follow each step of the free software download procedure and opt-out of all additionally included applications. Furthermore, when installing downloaded software, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options and uncheck any bundled applications listed for installation.

If you have installed DownSave, and you observe intrusive online ads generated by this adware, follow the instructions provided to eliminate DownSave from your Internet browsers.

Intrusive online advertisements generated by DownSave adware ('Ads by DownSave'):

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Quick menu:

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

DownSave 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 "DownSave" (at time of testing this adware was named "DaownuSave"), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove DownSave ads 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the downsave 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 downsave 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 downsave 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 downsave 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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