LolyKey Ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is LolyKey?
LolyKey is a browser add-on distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of the chosen software together with additional software) and is categorized as adware.
These applications are commonly bundled together with free software downloadable from freeware download websites, and therefore, users often install LolyKey inadvertently without their consent. After installation on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, LolyKey generates intrusive online advertisements and collects Internet browsing-related information.
Advertisements generated by this adware include banner, coupon, inline text, price comparison, pop-ups/unders, and transitional ads. These generated advertisements mostly redirect users to rogue websites that may infect your computer.
Furthermore, information tracked including geographic location, IP addresses, operating system, browser types and data (URLs visited, cookies, pages viewed, search queries, default search engine, etc.) may contain personally identifiable details.
Therefore, the presence of LolyKey on your system can result in serious privacy issues. You are strongly advised to remove LolyKey from your system immediately.
There are many rogue applications identical to LolyKey including, for instance, NavRight, Dollar Dream, and Cash Reminder. These applications provide no significant value for the user. In fact, they display intrusive online ads and track information (which is later shared with third parties) to generate revenue.
Most popular freeware download websites (such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com) monetize their free services and traffic by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen software. These promoted apps are described as 'legitimate and virus-free', however, they are mostly adware or malware.
To avoid these infections, pay close attention when downloading free software and ensure that no other applications are listed for download.
Furthermore, downloaded programs should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled software listed for installation and allow you to uncheck them. If you have installed LolyKey, follow the removal guide below to eliminate this adware from your system.
Deceptive free software installers used in LolyKey adware distribution (some freeware download clients disclose this adware as "LoleyKey"):
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Quick menu:
- What is LolyKey?
- STEP 1. Uninstall LolyKey application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove LolyKey adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove LolyKey ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by LolyKey' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove LolyKey ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
LolyKey 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 "LolyKey", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes LolyKey ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove LolyKey adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, LolyKey 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 lolykey 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 lolykey 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 lolykey 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 lolykey 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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