Ads by TS
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Ads by TS?
Ads marked with 'Ads by TS' (or 'Ads by TS X') can appear while searching using the Google search engine. This indicates that there are adware-type apps installed on the computer or browser. These are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Typically, users do not install PUAs intentionally - they are tricked into allowing these unwanted installations. Once installed, adware-type apps serve users with intrusive advertisements and record information relating to users' browsing habits.
When installed, adware-type apps force people to see various ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and so on. In this case, they appear with search results displayed by the Google search engine. PUAs can often be installed on several different browsers (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer).
To display the ads, adware-type apps use tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, it is impossible for them to go unnoticed. Furthermore, if clicked, they might open dubious/deceptive websites containing malicious content.
When clicked, some of these ads can execute scripts designed to download/install other unwanted applications, thus leading to various unwanted downloads/installations, which might then cause computer infections. Once installed, these apps continuously record information relating to users' browsing habits.
They usually gather search queries, IP addresses, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, and so on. Unfortunately, some also collect personal, sensitive data. Developers continually share the details with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.
Thus, having PUAs installed can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and so on. Some users might even become victims of identity theft. We recommend that you uninstall/remove all the adware-type or other potentially unwanted apps immediately.
Name | TS advertisements |
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 adware-type apps on the internet, most of which have similar behavior. Some examples include ExpressDirections, MyPersonalPDF, KraKraGames, and Folder Share. Developers present them as 'useful apps' capable of providing features and tools.
These promotions are simply attempts to trick people into downloading, installing, and using these rogue apps. PUAs gather data and serve ads, thereby allowing their developers to generate revenue.
How did adware install on my computer?
Adware-type, and other potentially unwanted, apps usually infiltrate systems without users' direct permission. Most users install them unintentionally when software developers proliferate PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (or through intrusive ads).
"Bundling" is used to trick users into installing PUAs together with regular software that they wish to download and install. Information about the presence of "bundled" applications within set-ups is often hidden in "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections).
Furthermore, many users rush installation/download procedures and skip steps without checking additional options. These behaviour leads to inadvertent installation/download of potentially unwanted applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Users are often responsible for installations of PUAs. To avoid them, be cautious when browsing the web and downloading/installing software (especially freeware). Study download/installation processes and check all available "Custom" or "Advanced" (or other similar) settings. Opt-out of third party applications (PUAs) and decline offers to download/install them.
Download software from official/trustworthy sources, using direct download links. Various third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps and thus these tools should never be used.
Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, if you encounter redirects to untrustworthy websites (pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.), check installed programs on your computer and applications on your browser.
Remove all unwanted/unknown entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
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 Ads by TS?
- 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 applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes Ads by TS 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 ts advertisements, 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 ts advertisements, 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 ts advertisements 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 ts advertisements, 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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