Ads by 4zip

What is 4zip?

4zip is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that supposedly provides users with file compression functionality - "4zip is a free and easy to use compression software that is based on 7-Zip technology." These false claims often trick users to install, however, 4zip is classed as adware.

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

4zip generates pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ a 'virtual layer' - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Thus, displayed advertisements do not originate from visited websites and, thus, often conceal underlying content.

This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. Furthermore, displayed advertisements can lead to malicious websites - clicking them risks further adware or malware infections.

Another downside of this adware is tracking of Internet browsing activity. 4zip records IP addresses, Internet service provider (ISP), browser type, URLs visited, pages viewed, cookies, and other similar data. This data is shared with third party companies who often misuse private  information to generate revenue.

This can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, 4zip adware should be uninstalled immediately.

Research shows that 4zip has very similar characteristics to hundreds of other bogus websites such as SecuriDex, ArcadeCake, and Shopperz. On initial inspection, these PUPs may seem legitimate, however, all adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers - it provides no real value for users.

These apps generate intrusive online advertisements (using the 'Pay Per Click' [PPC] advertising model) and gather various information (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).

How did 4zip install on my computer?

Although 4zip has an official download website, many users install it inadvertently due to deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

The developers know that many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software and intentionally conceal all details within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of these procedures. Therefore, users who skip this section, often install bogus programs such as 4zip inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by adware-type programs, be cautious when downloading and installing software. Closely observe each step within the 'Custom/Advanced' download and installation sections. Furthermore, all additionally-included programs should be cancelled.

4zip adware installer set-up:

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Quick menu:

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

4zip 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 "4zip", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes 4zip ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove 4zip adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, 4zip 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 4zip 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 4zip 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with 4zip 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 4zip 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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