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CloudExtender Adware

Also Known As: Ads by CloudExtender
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is CloudExtender?

CloudExtender is a rogue application that stealthily infiltrates systems without permission (the "bundling" method).

Following infiltration, CloudExtender delivers intrusive online advertisements, causes unwanted redirects, and continually records various user-system information. For these reasons, CloudExtender is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

CloudExtender adware

To deliver coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar ads, CloudExtender uses a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying web content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

In addition, they might redirect to malicious websites - clicking them is risky and can result in various computer infections. The virtual layer is also used to cause redirects to various websites containing malicious content. CloudExtender opens a new browser window and redirects users to a random website.

These redirects can also lead to further computer infections. Another downside is information tracking. Be aware that CloudExtender continually gathers IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information.

The collected data might contain personal details that are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal details. Therefore, having an information-tracking app installed on your computer can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall CloudExtender adware immediately.

The Internet is full of adware-type applications virtually identical to CloudExtender including Cookies On-Off, Prime Updater, and Tigers Deal - these are just some examples from many.

These apps offer different functionality, but have identical behavior. The only purpose of adware is to generate revenue for the developers. Applications such as CloudExtender are useless for regular users - they deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and record user-system data.

How did CloudExtender install on my computer?

To proliferate CloudExtender, adware developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, they hide bundled apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Rushing these procedures often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications such as CloudExtender.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes, choose "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully analyze each step, and decline offers to download/install additional applications.

Deceptive free software installer promoting installation of Cloud Extender adware:

cloud extender adware installer

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Quick menu:

CloudExtender 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.

CloudExtender adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "CloudExtender", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove CloudExtender adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, CloudExtender did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing CloudExtender 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 CloudExtender ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by cloudextender, 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 CloudExtender  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, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing CloudExtender ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by cloudextender, 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 CloudExtender 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 CloudExtender ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by cloudextender 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 cloudextender, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by cloudextender or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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.

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