How to remove Taboola
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Taboola?
Taboola is a legitimate advertising network that sometimes is used by various dubious applications. Most falsely claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling a number of 'valuable' features, however, these apps often infiltrate systems without users’ permission.
Furthermore, they track Internet browsing activity, cause unwanted browser redirects, and generate intrusive online advertisements. For these reasons, applications that generate Taboola ads are classed as unwanted programs and adware.
More about adware
Adware-type programs usually generate pop-up, banner, interstitial, coupon, in-text, and other similar advertisements, none of which originate from users' visited websites. By concealing underlying content, third party advertisements significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience.
Furthermore, some redirect to malicious sites - clicking them risks further adware or malware infections. Note that potentially unwanted programs often track Internet browsing activity by gathering various information such as IP addresses, websites URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, geographic location, unique identifier numbers, and so on.
This data might seem insignificant, however, it can contain personal details. After recording the information, developers of potentially unwanted programs share it with third party companies who often misuse personal data to generate revenue.
Thus, the presence of an information-tracking app on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are continually encountering Taboola advertisements, immediately uninstall all recently-installed suspicious applications.
| Name | Sponsored Links by Taboola |
| Threat Type | Adware |
| Symptoms | Your computer becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
Adware in general
Adware-type applications are often similar or identical. All give fake promises to provide useful functionality to trick users to install, however, after system infiltration, apps such as Results Hub, Provider, Security Utility and TheBrowser deliver no real value for the user - they are designed to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than providing the promised functions, adware-type apps generate intrusive advertisements and track Internet browsing activity.
How did Taboola install on my computer?
Adware-type applications are often distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Research shows that many users do not pay enough attention during the download and installation processes, and for this reason, developers intentionally conceal bogus software within the 'Custom/Advanced' setting.
By rushing these processes and skipping most/all steps, users often inadvertently install potentially unwanted software.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent installation of adware, be attentive when downloading and installing software. Closely analyze each step using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. There is a high probability that additionally-included programs will be malicious and should, thus, be cancelled.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Taboola?
- STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted programs using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove bogus extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
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 any recently-installed suspicious apps, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Taboola ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections.
Remove 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the sponsored links by taboola, 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 sponsored links by taboola, 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 sponsored links by taboola 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 sponsored links by taboola, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can slow down your system and expose you to unwanted websites. It may also track your online activities, compromising your privacy and potentially exposing you to further security risks.
What does adware do?
Software of this type delivers various advertisements. Also, it can be designed to gather various information and hijack browsers.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers typically generate revenue by promoting various products, websites, or services, with most of the money coming from affiliate programs. They get paid when someone purchases a product or service or performs similar actions
Will Combo Cleaner remove adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all adware-type applications. Manual removal is not always effective - some of the files belonging to adware may remain hidden in the system. Thus, it is recommended to remove adware using a specialized tool.
Outstanding!
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