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Ads by Clean Browse

Also Known As: Clean Browse Adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Clean Browse?

Created by Intriguing Apps, Clean Browse is a potentially unwanted application claiming to protect users' Internet browsing by preventing installation of malware or spyware on malicious websites. Although this functionality may seem useful and legitimate, be aware that this application is categorized as adware.

Clean Browse employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration on these browsers, Clean Browse generates numerous intrusive online advertisements including banner, interstitial, pop-up, sponsored link, targeted video, and download offers of other rogue browser plug-ins (which are also considered to be adware).

Clean Browse adware

In addition, Clean Browse monitors users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information, which may be personally identifiable. For example: operating systems, browser types, search queries entered, URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, unique identifier numbers, geographic locations, and other similar details.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft, and for this reason, you are strongly advised to uninstall Clean Browse from your Internet browsers.

At time of research, Clean Browse was distributed via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) and other potentially unwanted applications, which generate download offers of promoted browser extensions. For example: Web Security App, Wifi Protector, and other Savings and Coupon related ads.

There are many rogue browser add-ons similar to Clean Browse such as ProtectedBrowsing, Browser Guardian, Trust Media Viewer, etc. None of these plug-ins add any real value for the user - they merely generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

Most users infect their computers with adware when downloading free software via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com, amongst many others.

Download clients are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of promoted 'virus-free' browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of free software frequently results in adware or malware infections.

To avoid installation of Clean Browse or other potentially unwanted applications, be attentive during the download of any freeware and click 'Decline' when installation of any additional programs is offered.

In addition, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any bundled applications and allow to remove them from the installation list. Internet users who have already installed Clean Browse should read the following removal guide to remove this adware from their Internet browsers. 

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Quick menu:

Clean Browse ads removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Clean Browse adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Clean Browse" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, Clean Browse ads were generated by various coupon ads-displaying adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Clean Browse ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Clean Browse ads from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Clean Browse ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Clean Browse", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Clean Browse ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Removing Clean Browse ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the clean browse 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Clean Browse ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Clean Browse", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Clean Browse ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

Removing Clean Browse ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the clean browse adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

If you are unable to remove Clean Browse (or any other add-on) and it is greyed-out ("Installed by enterprise policy"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a Google Chrome extension that is "Installed by enterprise policy"?

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Clean Browse ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Clean Browse". Note that Clean Browse ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Removing Clean Browse ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with clean browse adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the clean browse adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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Clean Browse Adware QR code
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