Down Checker Ads

What is Down Checker?

The Down Checker application claims to check for available software updates and then to notify users. This functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, this application is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

One of the main reasons for these negative associations is deceptive installation - Down Checker infiltrates computers without users' consent. After infiltrating the system, this application displays intrusive online advertisements and tracks Internet browsing data.

Down Checker employs a virtual layer to display various adverts such as in-text, pop-up, coupons, price comparison, and many others. The virtual layer allows placement of any graphical content on websites visited. Note that this content does not originate from the visited website.

The displayed advertisements may seem harmless, however, some redirect to rogue websites, and therefore, clicking them can cause high-risk computer infections.

Additionally, Down Checker continually tracks Internet browsing habits and collects various software and hardware information - some of which might contain personally identifiable details and is later shared with third parties. Thus, having an information-tracking app installed on your system can lead to privacy issues. We strongly recommend that you uninstall Down Checker adware immediately.

Down Check is regular adware, and therefore, very similar to other applications of the same type including HQCinema Pro, RocketTab, and Swift Record - these are just some examples from a long list. Adware-type apps are designed to promise useful features to trick users to install.

Most provide little or no real value for the user. The purpose of adware is to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did Down Checker install on my computer?

Down Checker is distributed as a 'bundle' with regular (mostly free) software. The bundling method is popular, since many users do not pay enough attention when downloading/installing software - they rush installation and skip some/all of the steps.

Bogus applications such as Down Checker are often hidden within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings, and therefore, by skipping this section, many users expose their systems to risk of infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush software download/installation and pay close attention during these processes. Closely follow each step of free software download and ensure that no extra applications are included for download.

Furthermore, all programs should be downloaded using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any third party software listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installers used in Down Checker adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

Down Checker 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 "Down Checker", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove down checker ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Down Checker 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 down checker 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 down checker 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 plug-ins 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 down checker 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 down checker 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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