DesktopClock Ads

What is DesktopClock?

DesktopClock is a deceptive application identical to WinClock. Both of these applications are (as the developers state) highly customizable desktop clocks - "Highly customizable Clocks for your desktop with a beautiful set of skins. Enjoy DesktopClock by adding several clocks to your desktop for time zones and different skins and never miss the time."

Initially, this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, be aware that DesktopClock is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

This PUP employs a virtual layer to display intrusive online advertisements. The virtual layer allows placement of any third party graphical content on visited websites. Advertisements generated by this adware may seem harmless, however, some redirect to malicious sites containing infectious content.

There is a high probability that clicking them will cause high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, none originate from the visited sites and conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the Internet browsing experience. In addition, DesktopClock gathers various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

This is later shared with third party companies who can misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the collected data can be personally identifiable, and thus, the presence of DesktopClock adware on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, we strongly advise that you uninstall DesktopClock immediately.

DesktopClock adware has similar characteristics to many other applications including SpeedyMediaConverter, Groover, Temperature Scout, and Rapid Media Converter, which also claim to improve the Internet browsing experience by enabling useful features.

These, however, are simply attempts to trick users to install. Applications such as DesktopClock merely display intrusive online advertisements and collect personally identifiable information - their sole purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Users receive no real value.

How did DesktopClock install on my computer?

Although DesktopClock is free for anyone to download on its official website, many users install this application inadvertently without their consent. The developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party software with regular software/apps), and thus, DesktopClock often infiltrates systems without users' permission.

Bundled applications are often concealed within the 'Custom/Advanced' download or installation settings. By rushing and skipping this section, users commonly install bogus apps inadvertently. The developers are concerned only with the amount of revenue generated, and therefore, do not properly disclose installation of PUPs such as DesktopClock.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two main steps you should take to prevent installation of adware-type apps. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software - select the 'Custom/Advanced' settings and study each step. Secondly, never accept offers to download or install additional programs - they are likely to be bogus.

DesktopClock adware installer set-up:

Screenshot of the DesktopClock application:

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Quick menu:

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

DesktopClock 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 "DesktopClock v1.0", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove DesktopClock adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, DesktopClock 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 desktopclock 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 desktopclock 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 desktopclock 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 desktopclock 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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