MessengerTime adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MessengerTime?
MessengerTime is a deceptive program that supposedly allows users to read Facebook messages directly from the desktop. The appearance of this application might trick users into believing that MessengerTime is legitimate, however, it is developed by third parties and is not affiliated with Facebook.
Furthermore, MessengerTime delivers intrusive online advertisements and tracks internet browsing activity. For these reasons, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted adware-type program (PUP).
MessengerTime records information such as IP addresses, websites visited, search queries, and other similar browsing-related information. This collected information is likely to contain personally identifiable details that developers of MessengerTime share with third parties - the data is misused to generate revenue.
Thus, MessengerTime poses a direct threat to your privacy. Another downside of this application is the display of ads. MessengerTime generates various advertisements including banners and pop-ups. None originate from visited websites and often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, they can lead to malicious websites containing infectious content - clicking these ads risks further adware or malware infections. You are strongly advised to uninstall MessengerTime immediately.
| Name | MessengerTime adware |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus. |
| Supposed Functionality | Access to Facebook messenger directly from the desktop. |
| Detection Names | Comodo (Malware@#2olkn5i78qy6o), DrWeb (Trojan.Siggen8.54487), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Softninjas.A Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/CoinMiner), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Research results show that MessengerTime has very similar characteristics to Win Safety, Facts Right, YouBoost, and hundreds of other PUPs that also claim to be legitimate. By giving fake promises to enhance the browsing experience, these rogue applications attempt to trick users to install.
In fact, they are designed simply to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, MessengerTime, and other similar programs, generate intrusive, ads cause unwanted browser redirects, and collect personally identifiable information.
How did MessengerTime install on my computer?
This PUP is mostly distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. Developers hide rogue software within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' download/installation settings.
Many users skip this section, a situation that often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs. In doing so, users expose their systems to risk of further infections and put their privacy at risk.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
This situation can be prevented by taking two simple steps. Firstly, never rush when downloading or installing software - closely analyze each step using 'Custom/Advanced' settings. Secondly, decline offers to download or install additional software and opt-out of those already included, since bundled software is mostly bogus.
MessengerTime adware installer set-up:
Screenshot of MessengerTime application:
Screenshot of a deceptive website used to promote MessengerTime adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is MessengerTime?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MessengerTime application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MessengerTime adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MessengerTime ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MessengerTime' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove MessengerTime ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MessengerTime 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 "MessengerTime - Facebook Messenger", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes MessengerTime ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MessengerTime adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, MessengerTime 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 messengertime 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 messengertime 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 messengertime 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 messengertime 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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Outstanding!
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