HDtube Adware

What is HDtube?

The HDtube browser add-on claims to be an effective tool to improve YouTube video quality. Although this extension may appear useful and legitimate, HDtube is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware.

Be aware that this application employs a deceptive free software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.

HDtube infiltrates Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox and generates intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up, search, interstitial, transitional, coupon, and full-page ads. These advertisements often lead to bogus websites containing infectious content, and therefore, there is a high probability that your computer will become infected.

Furthermore, HDtube collects various user-information that may be personally identifiable. For example: browser data (websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.), demographic location, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, unique identifier numbers, and so on.

This information tracking may cause serious privacy issues or identity theft. There are several adware-type apps identical to HDtube - 123HD-Plus, 123HD-Ready, and HD-Plus are just some examples. This plug-in is also similar to other dubious applications distributed using the bundling method.

For example: Primary Result, Zoom Zoom, Beetween Lines, Pine Tree, and Special Box. All claim to enable various features, however, these add-ons simply deliver intrusive ads and share collected data with third parties to generate revenue. You are strongly advised to uninstall HDtube from your system.

Adware such as HDtube is mostly distributed on freeware download websites (including download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, etc.) These websites employ small download applications (called 'installers', 'download managers', 'download clients', and so on) to monetize their traffic and free services.

Download applications offer installation of additional applications or browser extensions together with the chosen software. According to the developers, these promoted apps are '100% legitimate and virus-free', however, reckless download and installation of freeware often leads to adware or malware infections.

To avoid this situation, pay close attention when downloading free software and opt-out of all additionally-included applications.

Furthermore, installation of downloaded software should be performed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. The following removal guide will help you to remove HDtube adware.

Deceptive free software installer used in HDtube adware distribution:

Intrusive online ads generated by HDtube adware:

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Quick menu:

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

HDtube 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 "HDtube", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove HDtube 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 "HDtube", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by hdtube, 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 "HDtube", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by hdtube, 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 "HDtube".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by hdtube 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 ads by hdtube, 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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