PC Support Center Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PC Support Center?
PC Support Center is a deceptive app identical to HotShoppy, CoolShopper, Myshopcoupon, and many others. By offering a feature to enhance system performance, PC Support Center attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) display of intrusive ads, and; 3) tracking of web browsing activity.
This adware delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, PC Support Center employs tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, ads conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Importantly, intrusive advertisements can lead to malicious websites and run scripts designed to download/install other PUAs or even high-risk malware. Therefore, clicking them is risky and can lead to computer infections. PC Support Center is also notorious for information tracking. This behavior is common among adware-type applications.
PC Support Center continually records data relating to browsing activity and it is likely to contain personal details. These are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.
Therefore, having a data-tracking app installed on your computer might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall PC Support Center adware immediately.
Name | Ads by PC Support Center |
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. |
All adware-type applications are very similar. Most offer "useful functionality" just to trick users to install, however, many unwanted apps serve one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
They provide no real value for regular users. Adware delivers intrusive ads and gathers sensitive information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety.
How did PC Support Center install on my computer?
As mentioned above, PC Support Center typically infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within various sections (usually "Custom" or "Advanced" settings) of the download or installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures and skip steps. In addition, they click various ads without understanding the possible consequences. The behavior leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps such as PC Support Center.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to computer safety. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze all steps of the download/installation processes and deselect third party applications that are already included.
Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since these are often monetized using the "bundling" method. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. In addition, remember that intrusive ads usually seem legitimate, but redirect to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on.
Most are delivered by adware-type apps. If you encounter them, remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PC Support Center, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
PC Support Center adware installer setup:
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 PC Support Center?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PC Support Center application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PC Support Center adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove PC Support Center ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by PC Support Center' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove PC Support Center extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PC Support Center 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 "PC Support Center", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes PC Support Center ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove PC Support Center adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, PC Support Center 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:
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 ads by pc support center, 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 ads by pc support center, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by pc support center 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 ads by pc support center, 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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