Install Extension To Continue Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Install Extension To Continue?
"Install Extension To Continue" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website.
Users are often redirected to this website by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), which infiltrate systems without permission (the "bundling" method). As well as unwanted redirects, PUPs also deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually track Internet browsing activity by collecting various user-system information.
This error message states that victims can no longer browse the Internet unless they install a certain browser extension. Be aware, however, that the "Install Extension To Continue" error is fake. Cyber criminals attempt to proliferate a malicious browser plug-in designed to deliver various intrusive online advertisements. Never agree to install it.
Potentially unwanted programs (and the aforementioned extension) use a "virtual layer" to deliver pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. This enables placement of third party graphical content on any site and the resultant ads often conceal underlying web content.
Furthermore, some lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. In addition, PUPs continually monitor Internet browsing activity by gathering information that might be personally identifiable (including, for example, IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information).
The data is shared with third parties who often misuse it to generate revenue. For these reasons, PUPs should be uninstalled immediately.
"Install Extension To Continue" is very similar to Login Security Alert, Your Computer Is In Blocked State, Microsoft Help Desk, and dozens of other fake errors. All state that the system is infected, missing files, or damaged in various other ways, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers and you should never trust them.
Potentially unwanted programs also have an identical purpose - to generate revenue for the developers. Research shows that most of these apps offer users various 'useful features', however, these false claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. They merely cause unwanted redirects and continually record various user-system information.
How did adware install on my computer?
As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, bundled programs are hidden within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, analyze each step, and decline offers to download/install additional apps. The key to computer safety is caution.
Text presented within the "Install Extension To Continue" scam pop-up:
To continue the work of your browser you should install the extension!
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Quick menu:
- What is Install Extension To Continue?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
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 any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "install extension to continue" virus, 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 "install extension to continue" virus, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "install extension to continue" virus 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 "install extension to continue" virus, 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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