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Identies.com POP-UP Redirect

Also Known As: identies.com pop-up
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is identies.com?

identies.com is one of many rogue sites that is identical to thepopularlinks.com, contentplaces.com, and rosetheet.com One of the main purposes of this site is to redirect users to other suspicious/dubious websites. Many users visit the identies.com inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that are installed without consent.

Most potentially unwanted programs cause redirects to untrustworthy websites, provide intrusive ads, record user-system information, and sometimes run background processes.

identies.com adware

Following infiltration, these PUPs tend to open new browser windows/tabs and redirect users to identies.com, which later causes redirects to other suspicious sites (usually 2 or 3). These redirects are known to cause high-risk computer infections.

Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs deliver intrusive advertisements (banners, pop-up ads, coupons etc.) that are often displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and also conceal underlying content.

Furthermore, when clicked they redirect to malicious websites or even execute scripts designed to download and install malware or other potentially unwanted software. Information tracking is also a known problem regarding potentially unwanted programs.

PUPs usually record user-system information such as IP addresses, visited websites, keystrokes, search queries, geo-locations, and other data that could include sensitive information. Later, the data is shared with third parties (in some cases, with cyber criminals) to generate revenue.

Additionally, potentially unwanted programs are known to run background tasks without permission. In this way, they misuse system resources and significantly affect overall computer performance.

Having a potentially unwanted program such as this installed poses a direct threat to your Internet browsing safety and privacy. Therefore, eliminate all potentially unwanted programs immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name identies.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.
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To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of PUPs/rogue software available on the Internet. All are virtually identical and share an identical purpose - to give the impression of legitimacy by offering 'useful features' and trick users into downloading them so that developers can generate revenue.

In most cases, they do not provide the functionality promised, and cause problems by causing unwanted redirects, intrusive ads, and recording information.

How did adware install on my computer?

There are many potentially unwanted programs with official sites where you can download them, however, as mentioned before, user often install them without consent. This is due to clicked intrusive ads or the "bundling" method, which is often used by PUPs developers.

Bundling is stealth installation of third party programs with regular (usually free) software - 'stealth' because developers usually do not disclose installations of these programs properly and hide potentially unwanted programs in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of software installation processes.

Clicking ads and skipping installation process steps usually leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs and system exposure to various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent installation of potentially unwanted programs, download/install software and browse the web carefully. Download software (especially free software) using official sources and direct links. Avoid using third party software downloaders and torrents.

Do not skip installation process steps or install without first checking "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings/options. The same applies to checkboxes ticked by default. If you find any special offers, tools, or extra software while installing software, deselect it if you suspect that it might be a potentially unwanted program.

If you click an ad that redirects you to a dubious website by opening new windows or tabs, immediately close it and check if it has installed an unwanted extension, plug-in, or add-on. If so, remove unwanted/suspicious entries immediately. Finally, have antivirus software installed and keep it enabled at all times.

Also, update your web browser to the latest version. If your computer is already infected with identies.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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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.

identies.com adware uninstall via Control Panel

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 identies.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:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing identies.com 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 identies.com ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the identies.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.

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 identies.com  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 and remove them.

Removing identies.com ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the identies.com pop-up, 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 identies.com 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 identies.com ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with identies.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, 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 identies.com pop-up, 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:
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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.

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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
identies.com pop-up QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of identies.com pop-up on your mobile device.
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