Download Manager Star Adware

What is Download Manager Star?

The developers (Aztec Media Inc) state that Download Manager Star is a legitimate application that significantly increases download speeds, allow users to schedule downloads, and enable other similar functionality - "Increase speed of your downloads; use the software from multiple computers; organize your downloads; and more!" 

On initial inspection, this functionality might appear legitimate and useful, however, due to its rogue behavior (stealth installation without users' consent, tracking of Internet browsing activity, display of intrusive online ads, etc.), Download Manager Star is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Download Manager Star employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, and other similar intrusive online advertisements. These ads may appear identical to regular software/apps, however, some redirect to malicious sites and, thus, clicking them is risky and might cause further adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, none originate from users' visited websites and conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Furthermore, Download Manager Star continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity and gathers various information (for example, IP addresses, Internet service provider (ISP), websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, and so on) that might contain personal details.

This information is shared with third party companies who often misuse personal data to generate revenue. Thus, having an information-tracking app installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, you should uninstall Download Manager Star adware immediately.

Download Manager Star Privacy Policy regarding information sharing with third parties:

Download Manager Star may use certain trusted third party companies and individuals to help it provide, analyze and improve the Site and service (including but not limited to data storage, maintenance services, database management, web analytics, information processing and improvement of the Site's features and services. These third parties may have access to your information only for purposes of performing these tasks on behalf of Download Manager Star and under obligations similar to those in this Privacy Policy.

Download Manager Star is regular adware and, thus, has very similar characteristics to hundreds of other PUPs such as Linkey, Linkey Deals, default-search.net, and linkeyproject.com. All falsely claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience to trick users to install.

The real purpose of apps such as Download Manager Star is to generate revenue for the developers. They provide no real value for users - these bogus applications generate intrusive online advertisements and continually gather personally identifiable information.

How did Download Manager Star install on my computer?

This potentially unwanted program is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, many users install this application inadvertently without their consent, since the developers use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps) to distribute Download Manager Star.

The developers know that many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software and, thus, intentionally hide bogus apps within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings. Users who rush the download/installation processes and skip this section, often install rogue software inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent installation of adware-type programs, be attentive during the download and installation processes.

Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical', otherwise bundled software will remain hidden. There is a high probability that additionally-included programs will be infectious and, therefore, you should always opt-out of all bundled programs.

Download Manager Star adware installer set-up:

Screenshot of Download Manager Star application:

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Quick menu:

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

Download Manager Star 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 "Download Manager Star 2.5.0.133069", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Download Manager Star adware from 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 "Download Manager Star", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the download manager star ads, 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 "Download Manager Star", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the download manager star ads, 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 "Download Manager Star plug-in".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with download manager star ads 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 download manager star ads, 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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