ScaryBear Software

Learn an easy and effective way to get rid of the AdChoices banners and pop-ups appearing at random during web browsing.

In today’s somewhat blurred online marketing environment, it might appear tough to differentiate between the purely legitimate and the not-too-ethical projects. AdChoices, the subject of this guide, is a browser extension that sticks to excessively intrusive tactics while arriving at its goals.

Looking like a normal ad delivery system upon first sight, the AdChoices app exhibits some features that make it an adware. First off, it circumvents user approval when installing onto a computer and adding the respective browser helper object such as a toolbar, add-on or plugin. The setup flow is always associated with a third-party application that has got a covert or not directly indicated bundle – although in some cases users can opt out of this extra if the terms of service for affiliated apps are carefully examined, this is mostly not the case and people simply get the unwanted software code without knowing.

Let’s assume this adware has succeeded in infiltrating a PC; what happens afterwards? It starts displaying sponsored commercial information, embedding it in boxes reading “Brought to you by AdChoices” on the sides of visited web pages. Another possible vector of its activity is pop-under windows recurrently triggered in the background. Whereas the data displayed on these pop-ups and banners might correlate with the user’s online interests, these objects make web surfing aggravated because they emerge in places that should otherwise be occupied by site content. Furthermore, this infection is beyond doubt a privacy risk as it tracks the Internet history on the targeted machine, including the victim’s web search preferences.

In order to prevent AdChoices from flooding Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox tabs and windows with redundant unauthorized content, measures should be taken for its complete removal from the compromised PC. It’s important to note that you may fail to locate the browser extension named AdChoices as such because the denomination may vary, but the workaround outlined below will help accurately detect the potentially unwanted items and eliminate those.

AdChoices removal with automatic cleanup tool

An optimal workflow for eliminating AdChoices virus is to leverage a security application which will identify all potentially malicious software on your computer and handle it the right way. This approach ensures thoroughness of the removal and system remediation, and allows avoiding unintended damage that might occur as a result of manual malware deletion.

1. Download and install AdChoices removal software. Launch it and click the Start New Scan button. Wait for the application to check your computer for threats

2. When the app is done scanning your system, it will come up with an extensive list of detected objects. Click the Fix Threats option to have the utility completely remove this adware and affiliated infections found on your PC.

Uninstall troublemaking software through Control Panel

– Go to Start menu and select Control Panel on the list

– Click on the Add or Remove Programs (Uninstall a program) button

– Take a good look at the software list displayed. Search for AdChoices proper or, if not found, see which suspicious apps are there, in particular ones installed recently, prior to the hijack issues. These are typically free browser helper objects, Flash-related software, file format converters, media apps, dubious drivers and the like. When found, the probable culprit should be uninstalled

– Again, be advised AdChoices may not be listed anywhere on Control Panel therefore it may be problematic to figure out which particular program is associated with the virus in your case. If you are unsure, stick to the automatic cleanup advice or try the browser reset option described below.

Remove AdChoices adware by resetting the affected browser

FYI: This procedure will lead to the loss of custom browser settings, including bookmarks, cookies, passwords saved, and all browsing history. Also, some components of the virus may be beyond the browsers proper. Please keep this in mind when making a decision to proceed.

Reset Internet Explorer to its defaults

– Go to Tools –> Internet Options

– Select the Advanced tab as shown below and click the Reset button

– Read the warning about the effects of resetting IE. If you are sure, proceed by checking the Delete personal settings option and clicking Reset

Reset Mozilla Firefox

– Go to Help –> Troubleshooting Information

– Firefox will come up with the Troubleshooting Information screen. Click the Reset Firefox button to complete the process

Reset Google Chrome

– Go to the Chrome Menu icon and pick Settings on the list

– Click on the Show advanced settings button

– Click on the button reading Reset browser settings

– On the notification box that pops up, review the consequences of Chrome reset and click Reset if it’s ok with you

Double-checking never hurts

To make sure the AdChoices malware has been removed, consider running an additional security scan as a completion of the cleanup procedure