Adware is a type of malicious software (malware) designed to display unwanted advertisements on your computer or device. These intrusive ads can disrupt your online activities, compromise your privacy, and even lead to further issues such as identity theft. Fortunately, you can remove adware manually if you’re willing to invest some time and effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

To prevent the adware from downloading additional components or sending information back to its developers, disconnect your computer from the internet. This can be done by unplugging the ethernet cable, disabling Wi-Fi, or enabling Airplane Mode.

Step 2: Enter Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that loads only essential system services and drivers. This helps ensure that adware won’t interfere with the removal process. To enter Safe Mode for:

– Windows: Restart your computer and repeatedly press F8 or Shift+F8 during the boot process. Select “Safe Mode” from the options provided.

– macOS: Restart your Mac while holding down the Shift key.

Step 3: Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Adware often comes bundled with seemingly harmless programs. Look for any recent installations or software that may have coincided with the appearance of ads:

– Windows: Open Control Panel and navigate to Programs > Programs and Features. Uninstall any suspicious programs or recently installed software.

– macOS: Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Drag any dubious applications to the Trash.

Step 4: Search for Hidden Files and Folders

Adware creators sometimes hide their files within innocuous-looking folders on your system:

– Windows: Open File Explorer and enable “Hidden items” under View tab.

– macOS: Open Finder then press Command+Shift+Period (.) keys simultaneously.

Now, search for any files or folders related to the adware, such as unfamiliar files or applications. Delete any suspicious items you find.

Step 5: Clean Your Web Browser

Adware often infiltrates web browsers in the form of extensions or add-ons. To remove these unwanted add-ons:

– Chrome: Go to chrome://extensions and delete any unfamiliar extensions by clicking Remove.

– Firefox: Go to about:addons and disable or remove suspicious add-ons.

– Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions and uninstall unwanted extensions.

Step 6: Check Hosts File

Adware can sometimes tamper with your computer’s hosts file. To check:

– Windows: Open Notepad, then go to File > Open > C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\. Choose “All Files” as the file type and open the “hosts” file. Remove any suspicious entries.

– macOS: Use Terminal by running commands “sudo nano /private/etc/hosts” (without quotes) then examine and remove any suspicious lines. Press Control+X, then Y, and Enter to save changes.

Step 7: Update Security Software

Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan. This will help ensure that any remaining traces of adware are removed from your computer.

Step 8: Reconnect to the Internet

Once you have completed all these steps, it’s safe to reconnect to the internet. You should no longer experience any issues with adware.

By following this guide, you can manually remove adware from your computer and regain control over your digital life. However, always practice caution when downloading software or visiting websites to reduce the risk of adware infections in the future.