Ads by Innovate Direct

What is Innovate Direct?

Innovate Direct is a dubious browser extension developed by SuperWeb LLC. This plug-in claims to significantly improve the Internet browsing experience by providing a number of 'valuable functions' - "We're passionate about improving web by providing the best tools to enhance the browsing experience, from searching the web to comparing online deals to find the best prices.

We've combined all of our great ideas into the Innovate Direct product suite, a FREE set of tools that work to make your browsing experience... better!" These false claims are merely attempts to trick users to install. In fact, Innovate Direct is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

This application infiltrates systems without users’ permission, displays intrusive online advertisements, and continually monitors browsing activity.

Once infiltrated, Innovate Direct collects search queries entered into search engines, URLs visited, pages viewed, unique identifier numbers, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic location), and a number of other information types relating to Internet browsing activity.

This data may seem insignificant, however, it might contain personally identifiable details. SuperWeb LLC shares this collected information with third parties, some of whom misuse private data to generate revenue. Thus, the presence of Innovate Direct on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even lead to identity theft.

Furthermore, this PUP employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, interstitial, transitional, full-page, search, coupon, price comparison, and other similar intrusive ads. The virtual layer allows display of third party graphical content including generated ads that often conceal underlying website content.

This significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience. In addition, some of these ads lead to malicious websites - clicking them is risky and might cause further adware or malware infections. We strongly advise that you uninstall Innovate Direct immediately.

Innovate Direct Privacy Policy statement regarding data collection:

We only share or sell your non-public personal information with non-affiliated third parties when we believe doing so is permitted by you or authorized by this Privacy Policy. In addition, the Company may share your personal information with our parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies without restriction.

SuperWeb LLC has released hundreds of identical browser extensions such as Checked List, Generous Deal, Jazz Spot, and Native Info. As with Innovate Direct, these add-ons also offer 'valuable features', however, extensions developed by SuperWeb LLC simply attempt to give the impression legitimate software.

The purpose of Innovate Direct, and other identical plug-ins, is to generate revenue for developers. They provide no real value for users - they collect various data (which is later sold to third parties) and deliver intrusive online ads (via the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model).

Deceptive free software installer used in Innovate Direct adware distribution:

How did Innovate Direct install on my computer?

The developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. Installation of apps such as Innovate Direct is hidden, since many users' do not pay enough attention during the download and installation processes of various additional software.

Users often rush these processes, and skip most/all steps, thus, leading to inadvertent installation of bogus programs including Innovate Direct.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Many PUPs are distributed stealthily and, therefore, you should pay close attention when downloading and installing software. Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and observe each step. Furthermore, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline all offers to download/install.

Innovate Direct adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Powered by Innovate Direct'):

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Quick menu:

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

Innovate Direct 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 "Innovate Direct", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Innovate Direct 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 "Innovate Direct", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the innovate direct 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 "Innovate Direct", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the innovate direct 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 "Innovate Direct".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with innovate direct 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 innovate direct 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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