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Chameleon Explorer Pro Adware

Also Known As: Chameleon Explorer Pro virus
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Chameleon Explorer Pro?

Chameleon Explorer Pro is presented as a high quality file/folder management tool. Judging on appearance alone, Chameleon Explorer Pro may seem legitimate and useful, however, this tool is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.

Be aware that this PUA is likely to infiltrate systems without users’ permission. Furthermore, Chameleon Explorer Pro delivers intrusive ads, gathers sensitive information, and proliferates other rogue apps.

Chameleon Explorer Pro adware

Once Chameleon Explorer Pro has infiltrated the system, users will continually see dubious applications that seem to appear randomly, since the PUA causes chain infections (one potentially unwanted application infiltrates another into the system). Most distributed apps are categorized as adware and browser hijackers.

Adware is notorious for delivering coupon, banner, pop-ups, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ various tools (such as "virtual layers") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, intrusive ads are very likely to conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, these ads can lead to malicious websites or execute scripts that download/install other rogue apps (or even high-risk malware). Therefore, clicking them might lead to various system infections.

Browser hijackers are mainly designed to infiltrate browsers and modify settings (e.g., homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL) to promote rogue sites, most of which are fake search engines. Information tracking is also common to potentially unwanted applications.

The list of collected data types typically includes (but is not limited to) IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other collected data that is likely to contain personal details. Developers share these details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.

Therefore, the presence of information-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you should eliminate Chameleon Explorer Pro and other dubious applications immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Chameleon Explorer Pro virus
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 adware-type applications, all of which are very similar. Most offer "useful features" in attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, they typically deliver no real value for regular users, since their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than delivering any real value, adware delivers intrusive ads and records information, thereby posing a direct threat to your browsing safety and privacy.

How did Chameleon Explorer Pro install on my computer?

This potentially unwanted application has an official download/promotion website, however, it often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using intrusive advertisements and the "bundling" method (stealth installation of PUAs together with regular programs). Developers do not adequately disclose these installations.

Therefore, all "bundled" apps are concealed within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users click ads and skip download/installation steps. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUAs - users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUAs, be cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that most intrusive ads may seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, they often lead to dubious sites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

If you experience these redirects, eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, opt-out of additionally-included programs, and decline offers to download/install them.

Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting PUAs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. The key to computer safety is caution.

If your computer is already infected with Chameleon Explorer Pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Chameleon Explorer Pro is sophisticated adware and designed to set itself as the default file browsing application in Windows. Therefore, there is a high probability that you will not be able to use Windows File Explorer properly after removing this adware.

In this case, you should download an application called Portable Windows Repair, which restores all default Windows programs to their original states.

Screenshot of Portable Windows Repair application:

Portable Windows Repair app

Website promoting Chameleon Explorer Pro adware:

Chameleon Explorer Pro website

Official Chameleon Explorer Pro installation setup:

Chameleon Explorer Pro installer

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:

Chameleon Explorer Pro 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.

Chameleon Explorer Pro adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove Chameleon Explorer Pro adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Chameleon Explorer Pro 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 Chameleon Explorer Pro 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 Chameleon Explorer Pro ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the chameleon explorer pro virus, 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 Chameleon Explorer Pro  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 Chameleon Explorer Pro ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the chameleon explorer pro virus, 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 Chameleon Explorer Pro 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 Chameleon Explorer Pro ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with chameleon explorer pro virus 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 chameleon explorer pro virus, 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.

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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
Chameleon Explorer Pro virus QR code
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