Ads by Tortuga

What is Tortuga?

Tortuga is a deceptive Chromium-based Internet browser that, according to the developers (ClaraLabs), provides faster, simpler, and more secure Internet browsing - "Tortuga - A web browser built for speed, simplicity, and security".

Some users might be tricked into believing that Tortuga is a legitimate and useful application, however, it is adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

There are a number of reasons for these negative associations. Tortuga usually infiltrates systems during installation of other applications without users' permission. Following successful installation, the adware displays intrusive online advertisements and tracks Internet browsing activity.

Tortuga is likely to display 'search' type advertisements. When users search the Internet, Tortuga places ads within the displayed search results. Note that these ads also have the appearance of search results, often making it difficult to differentiate between bogus and genuine ones. These search ads are not the only ones displayed by Tortuga adware.

This app also displays coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar graphical ads. Although the displayed advertisements might seem harmless, not all lead to the advertised websites (for example, online stores). Some may redirect to rogue websites containing infectious content, and thus, clicking them may cause further high-risk computer infections.

In addition, Tortuga continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity, collecting various system information and sharing it with third parties. The shared information may contain personally identifiable details and be misused. This situation can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall this app immediately.

Tortuga Privacy Policy regarding online advertising:

You will be presented with and have access to links to other websites through your use of our Site and the Application. If you choose to visit an advertiser by “clicking on” a banner ad or other type of advertisement, or click on another third party link, you will be directed to that third party’s website.

There are a handful of applications almost identical to Tortuga including BoBrowser, Torch Browser, and Chromatic. Tortuga also has similar characteristics to other regular adware-type applications claiming to enable various useful features. For example, PriceLess, Savings Ship, DealShopSave, and Best Price Ninja claim to save time and money when shopping online.

These claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience are simply attempts to trick users to install. Adware-type applications never provide the features promised - their purpose is to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did Tortuga install on my computer?

Tortuga is available for download on its official website, however, users often inadvertently install this application with other software. Tortuga is commonly 'bundled' with free software downloadable on freeware download websites. Many users are unaware that rogue applications are usually hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' download/installation settings.

By skipping this section, they inadvertently install apps such as Tortuga. The amount of revenue developers generate is dependent on the number of applications distributed, and thus, they are not concerned with proper discloser of bogus apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Users can prevent this type of infection by closely analyzing the download and installation procedures.

Download the chosen applications with caution. Follow each step, and decline all offers to install additional programs. Furthermore, software should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled bogus apps listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

Screenshot of Tortuga browser:

Tortuga generating advertisements within the Internet search results:

Intrusive online in-text and banner advertisements generated by Tortuga adware ('Ads by Tortuga'):

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove Tortuga adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Tortuga 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 tortuga 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 tortuga 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 tortuga 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 tortuga 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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