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Important Additions For Your Browser Scam

Also Known As: "Important Additions" virus
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading?

"Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading" is a fake pop-up error message displayed by a malicious website. Users often visit this website inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without consent (the "bundling" method).

As well as causing unwanted redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record various user-system information.

Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading adware

This pop-up states that certain browser plug-ins are downloading and encourages victims to agree to install them. Be aware, however, that the "Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading" error should not be trusted. Research shows that this pop-up is used to proliferate deceptive browser plug-ins which may, in turn, proliferate various malware.

Agreeing to proceed can lead to high-risk computer infections. We strongly advise you to ignore this pop-up and close the browser immediately.

As mentioned above, PUPs also deliver intrusive online advertisements (for example, pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.) To achieve this, developers employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Furthermore, some may redirect to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in further computer infections. Another downside is information tracking. Potentially unwanted programs collect information such as IP addresses, Internet service providers, geo-locations, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.

This collected data might contain personal details that PUP developers share with third parties who misuse private information to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Potentially unwanted programs should be uninstalled immediately.

Research reveals dozens of fake errors similar to Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading, including Windows Defender Alert, Your Windows Computer Has Been Blocked, and Microsoft Warning Alert - these are just some examples from many.

All claim that the system is damaged in some way, however, this is merely an attempt to scare and trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. These error messages should never be trusted. As with all fake errors, PUPs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

By falsely claiming to provide various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, they cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and continually record various user-system information.

How did adware install on my computer?

As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. All bundled programs are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of third party software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs 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 software.

Second "Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading" pop-up offering installation of the deceptive extension, "To new tab":

Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading second pop-up

IMPORTANT NOTE! Before performing the further removal steps you must firstly terminate the malicious extension using Google Chrome's Task Manager:

Click on the Google Chrome's menu icon, select "More tools" and "Task Manager".

Important additions for your browser chrome task manager step 1

Select all questionable browser extensions and click "End process".

Important additions for your browser chrome task manager step 2

After terminating these extensions you can continue with this removal guide.

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Quick menu:

Adware 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.

Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading adware uninstall via Control Panel

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:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "important additions" 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.

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 Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading  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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (for example, "To new tab"), select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "important additions" virus, 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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing Important Additions For Your Browser Are Downloading ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "important additions" virus 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 "important additions" virus, 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.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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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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