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Cookies Control Adware

Also Known As: Ads by Cookies Control
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Cookies Control?

Identical to Cookies On-Off, Cookies Control is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to control (turn on/off) their web browser cookies. Judging on appearance alone, Cookies Control may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) tracking of users' browsing activity, and; 3) display of intrusive online advertisements.

Cookies Control adware

Following infiltration, Cookies Control delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar ads. To achieve this, developers employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. The resultant ads often conceal underlying website content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, they often lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, Internet browsing activity is monitored, since Cookies Control continually gathers queries entered into search engines, website URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and other similar data that might contain personal details.

This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal information to generate revenue. The presence of an information-tracking app can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, eliminate Cookies Control adware from your computer immediately.

Cookies Control shares many similarities with AVBoost, Tigers Deal, Prime Updater, unTabs, and hundreds of other adware-type applications. All of these apps offer different functionality, but have identical behavior. The only purpose of apps such as Cookies Control is to generate revenue for the developers.

These PUPs merely cause unwanted redirects (thereby generating traffic for various websites), deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and gather various information (which is later sold to third parties). PUPs are useless for regular users.

Note - if this adware was installed as "Installed by Enterprise Policy" on your Chrome browser, follow this guide.

How did Cookies Control install on my computer?

Cookies Control has an official download website, however, it is also distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps).

Therefore, many users install Cookies Control inadvertently, without their consent, since developers hide bundled applications (such as Cookies Control) within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent system infiltration by PUPs. Firstly, closely analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, decline offers to download/install third party applications and cancel those already included. Never install bundled programs.

Cookies Control adware requesting permission to install its extension on the Google Chrome browser:

Cookies Control adware asking for a permission to add add-ons

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Quick menu:

Cookies Control 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.

Cookies Control adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select such entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Cookies Control ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Cookies Control adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Cookies Control 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 "Cookies Control", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Cookies Control ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by cookies control, 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 Cookies Control  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 "Cookies Control", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing Cookies Control ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by cookies control, 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 Cookies Control 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 "Cookies Control".

Removing Cookies Control ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by cookies control 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 ads by cookies control, 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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Removal Instructions in other languages
Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Ads by Cookies Control QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Cookies Control on your mobile device.
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