How to uninstall unwanted applications distributed through adf.ly ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
adf.ly redirect removal instructions
What is adf.ly?
adf.ly is a legitimate website that provides a URL-shortening service. This website pays registered users for sharing shortened links, since visitors are presented with a five-second advertisement prior to being given access the chosen website. The delivered advertisements, however, might redirect to other websites that promote potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or display deceptive browser notifications.
Deceptive advertisements are often used to promote adware, browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted applications (such as fake system cleaners). Adware-type applications and browser hijackers usually deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, modify options (especially browser settings), and record sensitive data. This behavior significantly diminishes the browsing experience and can even lead to further computer infections or serious privacy issues (collected data includes personal details that are also shared with third parties [potentially, cyber criminals]). Web browser notifications are also likely to promote dubious websites. Some promote scam websites that deliver fake error messages claiming that system is damaged (infected, missing files, etc.) and encouraging users to download fixing tools and/or to contact 'tech support' (which is fake). Promoted fixing tools are usually paid and, therefore, following steps provided on these websites can lead to monetary loss. Browser notifications are often used to promote adult dating, pornography, survey, gambling, and other dubious websites that might contain malicious content. Therefore, clicking them can lead to system infection. In summary, adf.ly is a legitimate website, yet its promoted content might be harmful. Note that adf.ly website developers do not choose which advertisements are displayed. They monetize this website using advertising networks, which might include rogue ads.
| Name | Ads by adf.ly |
| Threat Type | Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads |
| Detection Names | AutoShun (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 104.20.18.254 |
| Observed Domains | api.adf.ly, cdn.adf.ly, custom.adf.ly, dmca.adf.ly, fb.adf.ly, forum.adf.ly, kb.adf.ly, login.adf.ly, logo.adf.ly, mail.adf.ly, static.adf.ly, support.adf.ly, v1.adf.ly, v2.adf.ly |
| Related Domains | gloyah[.]net, lighronlittheprat[.]pro |
| 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 Malwarebytes. |
There are many legitimate websites monetized using advertising networks (e.g., zippyshare.com) and they share many similarities with adf.ly. Again, these sites are generally harmless and provide useful services, however, users might encounter ads that redirect to other websites that are not trustworthy. Therefore, no matter which website you are visiting, we strongly advise you to avoid clicking any advertisements, since there is a chance that this will lead to system infection (even if the advertisement seems legitimate).
How did adware install on my computer?
Some unwanted applications have official download websites, however, most are promoted using the "bundling" method, and intrusive advertisements. Therefore, PUAs often infiltrate computers without users' permission. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party software with regular software. Developers hide "bundled" applications behind "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are likely to click advertisements, rush download/installation processes, and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent infiltration by PUAs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Decline offers to download/install third party applications and opt-out of those already included. You are strongly advised to download programs from official sources only (if possible, via direct download links) and avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since most are monetized using the "bundling" method. Be aware that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, they often redirect to dubious websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.). If you experience these ads/redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Examples of browser notifications delivered by rogue sites:
IMPORTANT NOTE! As mentioned above, these deceptive sites asks to enable web browser notifications:
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
- Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
- Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
- Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
- Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
- Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
- Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
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 Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is adf.ly?
- 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 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 adf.ly 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 ads by adf.ly, 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 adf.ly, 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 ads by adf.ly 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 adf.ly, 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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove ads by adf.ly from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!