InstantSupport Adware

What is InstantSupport?

InstantSupport is a dubious app claiming to solve various computer-related problems - "InstantSupport - Receive instant, friendly support service for issues with your computer, network, printer and more." 

These false claims often trick users into believing that InstantSupport is a useful application, however, it infiltrates systems without users’ permission and continually generates pop-up messages. Therefore, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Following successful infiltration, InstantSupport generates pop-up windows that appear intermittently. These messages encourage users to contact certified technicians via a telephone number - (888) 693-5841 - when users need help solving computer-related issues.

This message is a scam. Trying to contact these so called 'technicians' might cause further problems. In addition, this app continually tracks Internet browsing activity and gathers various information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, operating system/browser types, browsing details (websites visited, search queries, pages viewed, etc.), geolocation, and other collected data.

This is later shared with third parties and might contain personally identifiable details. There is a high probability that third parties will misuse this personal data to generate revenue, and therefore, having InstantSupport installed on your system can lead to various privacy issues. You are strongly advised to uninstall this adware immediately.

There are hundreds of adware-type applications that are very similar to InstantSupport including, for example Astro Find, and Mint Cast Networks. All claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience, and yet, none provide users with any real value. Adware-type applications merely generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than enabling the functionality promised, they continually generate intrusive online advertisements (using the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model), collect personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and, in this case, generate fake pop-up messages.

How did InstantSupport install on my computer?

InstantSupport infiltrates systems during installation of additional software. This stealth software marketing method is called 'bundling'.

Developers hide rogue applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and many users do not expect PUPs to be concealed - they skip most of the download/installation steps, including the aforementioned section. In doing so, they inadvertently install potentially unwanted programs, expose their systems to risk of infection, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two main steps you should take to prevent installation of adware-type programs. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software - analyze each step of these processes using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Secondly, decline all offers to download or install additional apps, since bundled software is mostly rogue.

Screenshot of Instant Support application:

Deceptive free software installers used in InstantSupport adware distribution:

InstantSupport adware installs together with another potentially unwanted application called PC Accelerate:

InstantSupport adware generating intrusive ads:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove InstantSupport adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, InstantSupport 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 instantsupport pup, 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 instantsupport pup, 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 instantsupport pup 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 instantsupport pup, 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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