Greatene.com POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is greatene.com?
greatene.com is a rogue website similar to toroadavdertisingmedia.com, smartoffer.site, adskpak.com and many others of this type that redirect to other (potentially malicious) websites.
In most cases, users visit these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by intrusive advertisements or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These are usually installed without permission, cause redirects to unwanted/dubious websites, provide users with intrusive ads, and collect private information.
Generally, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) open new tabs and windows in browsers, and redirect users to greatene.com (or other rogue sites). When opened, greatene.com usually redirects to two or three other unwanted/rogue websites - it is very likely that one of these websites will contain malicious content.
Being redirected to these rogue websites and clicking intrusive ads can lead to various computer infections. Some ads of this type redirect to other malicious websites, and others can even execute scripts that stealthily download and install malware or other potentially unwanted programs.
Furthermore, intrusive ads might be displayed on any website and conceal underlying content, thus diminishing the browsing experience.
As mentioned earlier, potentially unwanted programs also tend to collect information about users, such as IP addresses, visited websites, keystrokes, geographical locations, search queries, and various other data that will include personal information. The data usually is later shared with third parties (in some cases, cyber criminals) who use it to generate revenue.
Shared information might also be misused in other ways, actions that could lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised to remove potentially programs from your computer immediately.
Name | greatene.com pop-up |
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) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many potentially unwanted programs that cause redirects to untrustworthy websites. All are very similar or even identical.
They offer "useful" features or tools, and claim to be legitimate. In fact, they deliver no real value for regular users, since they are designed only to generate revenue for their developers by providing unwanted redirects, intrusive ads, and gathering sensitive data.
How did adware install on my computer?
A number of potentially unwanted programs have an official website whereby you can download them, however, many infiltrate systems due to the careless behaviour and lack of knowledge of many users (who often install them inadvertently). Therefore, PUPs are installed through intrusive ads or using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
"Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software. Developers hide "bundled" potentially unwanted programs within "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings of the download or installation processes. In summary, many users install PUPs by skipping software installation steps or clicking intrusive ads on untrustworthy websites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Install software with care, especially if it is free or downloaded from unofficial websites. Do not skip installation steps, check all available "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes. Look for checkboxes that are ticked by default. Deselect/opt-out of special offers, tools, programs, etc. if you are not sure whether you need them.
Avoid downloading/installing software using third party software downloaders/installers or torrents - use only direct links. Also, avoid clicking intrusive ads. These typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, most lead to dubious websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and similar sites.
If you happen to encounter these redirects, immediately check plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions installed on your browser and remove any suspicious entries. If your computer is already infected with greatene.com, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is greatene.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted programs, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes greatene.com redirects, 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:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" 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".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the greatene.com pop-up, 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the 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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the greatene.com pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (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.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with greatene.com pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the greatene.com pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, 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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