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MediaDownloader Adware (PC)

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

What is MediaDownloader?

MediaDownloader is a rogue application that falsely claims to allow download and conversion of various media files. On initial inspection, MediaDownloader may appear legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as adware (advertising malware) and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) display of malvertising ads, and; 3) information recording.

MediaDownloader adware

Following infiltration, MediaDownloader delivers various intrusive advertisements (for example, banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc.) These are displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, most conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, malvertising ads often lead to malicious websites. Some intrusive ads execute scripts that download and install malware - clicking them might cause high-risk computer infections. As with most adware, MediaDownloader continually records information that might be personally identifiable. The details are sold to third parties (mostly for dubious marketing purposes).

This behavior is very common to adware-type applications. Some potentially unwanted programs are known to stealthily run background processes (for example, mining cryptocurrency). PUPs misuse system resources without users' consent, thereby significantly diminishing overall computer performance.

These actions are performed only to generate revenue. Potentially unwanted programs such as MediaDownloader pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to uninstall all potentially unwanted programs (including MediaDownloader) immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by MediaDownloader
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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MediaDownloader is virtually identical to MapsFrontier, Clean My Chrome, NoterSave, and many others. Note that all of these apps offer different functionality, however, their behavior is identical. By offering "useful features", MediaDownloader and other adware-type programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.

In fact, only a small fraction of PUPs provide the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users. Potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They deliver malicoius ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), record user-system information, and stealthily run background tasks.

How did MediaDownloader install on my computer?

Developers proliferate MediaDownloader using a fake Adobe Flash Player download (the "bundling" method) and pop-up ads. In fact, most potentially unwanted programs are distributed by these two ways. Bundling is stealth installation of third party software together with regular apps.

Developers are aware that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, these criminals hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings, or other sections of these processes. Skipping download/installation steps and clicking ads thus exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be aware that careless behavior and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for computer infections. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general.

Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs (especially the "Custom/Advanced" options), opt-out of all additionally-included programs, and decline offers to download/install them. Bear in mind that third party download/installation tools commonly bundle additional software (criminals monetize these tools by promoting third party programs).

Therefore, download your software from official sources only and (if possible) use a direct download link. Cyber criminals invest a great deal of time and effort into designing malicious ads. Therefore, most appear genuine - determining if intrusive ads originate from the visited (legitimate) websites is difficult.

These malvertising ads usually lead to survey, adult dating (mostly Russian), pornography, gambling, and other similar websites. If you encounter such ads, immediately check the list of installed apps/browser plug-ins and remove any suspicious entries.

Official MediaDownloader adware installer set-up:

MediaDownloader adware installation setup

Screenshot of MediaDownloader application:

Potentially unwanted program MediaDownloader

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Quick menu:

MediaDownloader 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.

MediaDownloader adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove MediaDownloader adware from Internet browsers:

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

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by mediadownloader, 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 MediaDownloader  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 MediaDownloader ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by mediadownloader 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 mediadownloader, 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 mediadownloader 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 MediaDownloader QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by MediaDownloader on your mobile device.
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