GetNow Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GetNow?
The GetNow application claims to help users to keep their installed software up-to-date. Although this functionality may seem useful, GetNow is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or 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 the developers of GetNow to install the application on browsers without users' permission.
Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, GetNow generates various intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
These delivered advertisements include banner, pop-up, coupon, and other similar ads - clicking these may cause further high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, this collected information (for example, IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) may be personally identifiable and result in serious privacy issues or identity theft.
GetNow is similar to other rogue applications that install using the bundling method. Some examples are Primary Result, Boby Zoom, Save Serp Now, and HDtube.
None of these applications are useful for the user - they are developed to generate revenue by the display of ads and sharing collected data with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate GetNow from your system.
Close examination of GetNow reveals that it is mostly distributed via small programs called 'installers' (also called 'download clients', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, downloads.com, and many others. Installers offer free applications downloads when installing the chosen software.
These applications are presented as '100% legitimate and virus-free', however, they are likely to be adware or malware. To avoid installation of GetNow, or other similar adware, closely inspect each step of the free software download procedure and never accept installation of any additional programs offered.
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. If you have installed GetNow adware, read the guide below to eliminate this adware from your system.
Screenshot of the GetNow application:
Deceptive free software installers used in GetNow adware distribution:
Get Now installer set-up:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is GetNow?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GetNow application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GetNow adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GetNow ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GetNow' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GetNow adware from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GetNow 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 "GetNowUpdater", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes GetNow ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GetNow adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, GetNow 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 getnowupdater, 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 getnowupdater, 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 getnowupdater 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 getnowupdater, 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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