UpdateAdmin Adware

What is UpdateAdmin?

UpdateAdmin is a rogue application claiming to provide various useful features. Although this functionality may seem legitimate, UpdateAdmin is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware.

One of the reasons for these negative associations is a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' used to install UpdateAdmin on systems without users' permission. Bundling is a way to stealthily distribute third party applications together with regular software.

Therefore, users often install this adware inadvertently with free software downloadable on freeware download websites. After infiltration, UpdateAdmin generates various intrusive online advertisements (banner, pop-up, etc.) that often redirect to bogus websites, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.

Another important downside of this application is that it tracks various information (IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) that may be personally identifiable. Applications that track personally identifiable data can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. 

UpdateAdmin is similar to other regular adware-type apps including System Notifier, ZoomApp, and Ad Blaster. Although these adware-type applications claim to enable various useful features, none provide any real value. 

UpdateAdmin, and other similar apps, are developed simply to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall this adware from your system immediately.

Close examination of UpdateAdmin reveals that it is often distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com.

Download clients supposedly ease the download process, however, they are used to monetize freeware download websites' traffic and free services by offering installation of third party apps together with the chosen software. In some instances, these additional programs are simply hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation section.

Promoted apps are often described as 'legitimate and virus-free', however, reckless installation of freeware risks system infection with adware or malware. This situation can be avoided by closely analysing each step of the free software download procedure and ensuring that no third party apps are included.

Furthermore, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to cancel them. If you have installed UpdateAdmin, follow this guide to eliminate the adware from your system.

Deceptive free software installer used in UpdateAdmin adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove UpdateAdmin adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, DownloadAdmin 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 ads by updateadmin, 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 ads by updateadmin, 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 ads by updateadmin 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 updateadmin, 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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