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Qdownloader.net Virus

Also Known As: Ads by qdownloader.net
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is qdownloader[.]net?

qdownloader[.]net is an 'Online Video Downloader' for downloading videos from YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other websites. Videos can be downloaded in several different formats. It is illegal to download videos from YouTube. Furthermore, qdownloader[.]net uses various advertising networks.

This does not indicate that the web page itself is harmful, however, using it can lead to unwanted redirects, download and installation of potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), and so on.

qdownloader[.]net pop-up redirects

When opened qdownloader[.]net causes redirects to other dubious websites, often used to promote PUAs in various ways. For example, qdownloader[.]net might cause redirects to scam websites that trick people into believing that their operating systems have errors, are infected, and so on.

Typically, scammers use these pages to promote PUAs by claiming that they can fix (fake) problems using various software. Scammers commonly attempt to trick people into paying for their software or technical support. Note that qdownloader[.]net might lead to pages that promote various adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs.

If installed, apps of this type serve users with even more advertisements and gather data relating to users' browsing habits. Having PUAs installed can thus cause additional unwanted installations, problems with privacy, browsing safety, and so on.

Additionally, some of the web pages opened through qdownloader[.]net might contain ads such as surveys, coupons, banners, etc. If clicked, they might run scripts designed to download and install unwanted apps or cause redirects to potentially malicious pages.

Websites such as qdownloader[.]net and (especially those opened by them) often ask visitors for permission to show notifications. Do not accept notifications, since they are usually irrelevant, contain various ads, and other unwanted content. Furthermore, clicking them often leads to redirects to untrustworthy sites.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by qdownloader.net
Threat Type Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Serving IP Address 104.31.72.170
Observed Domains s79.qdownloader.net
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, potentially unwanted applications (adware)
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.

qdownloader[.]net is virtually identical to many other websites of this type including, for example, youtubnow[.]com, olpair[.]com, and savefrom[.]net. Most of these pages offer similar services and use advertising networks. To avoid unwanted redirects, downloads and installations, or even computer infections, do not to use any of these websites.

How did adware install on my computer?

Intrusive, deceptive advertisements often lead to unintentional download and installation of PUAs. Simply downloading and installing regular programs can also cause these problems when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Developers hide additionally-included (bundled) apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of software set-ups. When people leave these settings unchanged, they grant permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed with the chosen software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download and install software properly, without skipping setup steps, especially if it is free software. Check all available options (settings) such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc., and deselect any offers to download/install unwanted software.

Do not download software using dubious sources such as unofficial websites, third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and various other tools of this kind. The safest way to download is using official websites and direct download links. Avoid visiting dubious websites, and especially clicking ads displayed on them.

Once clicked, they often redirect users to other dubious sites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. If unwanted redirects occur regularly or various ads appear on each opened page, check installed apps (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) on your web browser. If there are unknown, unwanted entries, they should be removed immediately.

Additionally, check the list of installed programs on your computer. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of a questionable page opened by qdownloader[.]net, designed to promote a potentially unwanted app:

qdownloader.net opens a page displaying a pop-up offering to install potentially unwanted app

Appearance of qdownloader[.]net website promoting potentially unwanted applications (GIF):

qdownloader[.]net website appearance (GIF)

Appearance of qdownloader[.]net website promoting fake Flash Player updater which injects adware into the system (GIF):

Qdownloader.net promoting a fake Adobe Flash Player updater

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.

qdownloader[.]net adware uninstall via Control Panel

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 qdownloader[.]net 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 qdownloader[.]net 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 qdownloader[.]net ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by qdownloader.net, 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 qdownloader[.]net  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 qdownloader[.]net ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by qdownloader.net, 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 qdownloader[.]net 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 qdownloader[.]net ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by qdownloader.net 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 ads by qdownloader.net, 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.

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
Ads by qdownloader.net QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by qdownloader.net on your mobile device.
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