Pituitosus.com POP-UP Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is pituitosus.com?
pituitosus.com is another rogue site that is designed to cause redirects and display certain content. There are many websites of this type. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) looksslike.com, housinesdepara.info, meddelande.org, and landost.com.
Research shows that users typically end up visiting pituitosus.com unintentionally - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements displayed on other rogue sites.
In most cases, PUAs infiltrate computers without users’ permission. In addition to redirects, they deliver intrusive advertisements and gather information relating to browsing activity.
Unwanted apps open new browser tabs/windows and redirect users to pituitosus.com, which, in turn, checks the victim's IP address to determine the geo-location and displays certain content accordingly. Therefore, users might be forced to encounter malicious content. Thus, redirects to and from pituitosus.com can lead to system infections.
PUAs are also notorious for display of intrusive advertisements. They deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other similar ads. These can redirect to dubious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted applications (or even high-risk malware). Therefore, even a single click accidental click might result in high-risk computer infections.
Intrusive ads are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Most PUAs record user-system information relating to browsing activity.
The list of collected data typically includes (but is not limited to) IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and geo-locations.
Recorded information might include personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to eliminate all potentially unwanted applications immediately.
| Name | pituitosus.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. |
All potentially unwanted applications are very similar. Developers present them as legitimate tools that provide various "useful features", however, by delivering these fake promises, they attempt to trick users to install. In fact, few PUAs provide the functions promised. Most PUAs provide no real value for regular users.
They cause unwanted redirects, gather information, and deliver intrusive ads, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety. In most cases, potentially unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
How did adware install on my computer?
Some potentially unwanted applications are free for anyone to download on their official websites, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, these apps often infiltrate computers without permission.
Developers promote PUAs using the aforementioned intrusive advertisements, and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party programs with regular software, which is usually free). Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures and skip steps. In addition, they advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUAs. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design, thereby making them seem legitimate.
Note that these a.dvertisements often redirect to dubious websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.) If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the list of installed applications/browser plug-ins and immediately remove all suspicious/unwanted entries.
Furthermore, select "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Decline offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of those already included. Download apps from official sources only, using direct download links.
Developers often use the "bundling" method to monetize third party downloaders/installers (therefore, never use these tools). If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
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Quick menu:
- What is pituitosus.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 applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes pituitosus.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 pituitosus.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 pituitosus.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 pituitosus.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 pituitosus.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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Outstanding!
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