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Ads by Setli

Also Known As: Setli adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Setli?

Setli is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to access restricted websites and protect their privacy when browsing the Internet.

On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, Setli 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) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) potential tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.

Setli adware

After system infiltration, Setli delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements (usually marked as "Ads by Setli"). To achieve this, developers employ various tools (including a "virtual layer") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.

Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, some might redirect to malicious websites or even execute scripts that download/install malware or other PUPs. Therefore, even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking.

Adware-type applications such as Setli often monitor users' Internet browsing activity by gathering data that might contain personal details. PUP developers aim to generate as much revenue as possible by collecting this information and selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals who also misuse personal details to generate revenue).

This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, PUPs such as Setli should be eliminated immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Setli adware
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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Setli shares many similarities with hundreds of other adware-type applications such as DNS Unlocker, NetFlix, GeoByPass, and Save Tabs. By offering "valuable features", PUPs such as Setli attempt to trick users to install. In fact, adware-type applications deliver no significant value for regular users. Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.

Setli and other similar adware-type apps merely deliver intrusive online advertisements (using the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model) and record various data (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).

Some PUPs also promote malicious websites (by causing unwanted redirects), thereby posing an even higher threat to users' privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did Setli install on my computer?

PUPs such as Setli are usually proliferated using the aforementioned intrusive advertisements along with a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, users often install PUPs inadvertently, without their consent. Bundling is stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps.

Developers conceal bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Many users rush and skip this section and click various ads. This exposes their systems to risk of various infections, compromises their privacy, and inadvertently grants set-ups/PUPs permission to modify browser options.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using intrusive advertisements and the bundling method. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. We strongly advise users to avoid clicking ads, no matter how tempting they may seem. Research shows that intrusive ads often appear legitimate.

Therefore, it is virtually impossible to determine if they are genuine (originate from the visited [legitimate] website). Do not take the risk of clicking them. Carefully analyze each download/installation step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" options) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Furthermore, select a direct download link, rather than using third party downloaders/installers. Most of these tools include third party software and should never be used. Poor knowledge of these threats and rushing steps are the main reasons for computer infections - the key to safety is caution.

Deceptive free software installer distributing Setli adware:

Setli adware installer

Setli adware generating intrusive online advertisements (marked as "Ads by Setli"):

Ads by Setli

Setli adware's End User Licence Agreement:

Setli adware EULA

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Quick menu:

Setli 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.

Setli adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove Setli adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Setli 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 Setli 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 Setli ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the setli 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 Setli  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing Setli ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the setli 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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Setli 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing Setli ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with setli 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 setli 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on setli adware 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
Setli adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Setli adware on your mobile device.
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