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How to stop browsers from opening pingclock.net

Also Known As: pingclock.net ads
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is pinglock[.]net?

pinglock[.]net is an untrustworthy website that is opened by browsers when a fake Flash Player extension is installed. Research shows that this extension has already been removed from Chrome Web Store, however, some people might still have it installed on their browsers.

The extension could also be bundled with various unwanted applications. Note that pinglock[.]net tracks users' internet browsing activity and might also be used to distribute adware.

pinglock[.]net pop-up redirects

pinglock[.]net can be used to record visitors' IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, etc. Apps derived from websites that gather browsing-related information might also record sensitive details. Developers share the details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue.

Furthermore, pinglock[.]net might be used to trick visitors into installing adware. These apps collect user-system information. When installed, adware displays ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on. If clicked, these usually redirect people to dubious, potentially malicious websites.

In some cases, they can cause download or installation of unwanted applications. We strongly recommend that you remove all unwanted apps from browsers immediately (including apps that force browsers to open pinglock[.]net).

Threat Summary:
Name pingclock.net ads
Threat Type Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Detection Names BitDefender (Malware), ESET (Malware), Fortinet (Malware), Sucuri SiteCheck (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address 64.58.126.236
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.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner
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.

Typically, people install adware and other potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) unintentionally. In many cases, they are tricked into this situation.

Developers advertise PUAs as useful applications, which supposedly provide useful features, however, once installed, they cause redirects to dubious web pages, gather private details, and/or feed users with unwanted, deceptive advertisements.

How did adware install on my computer?

In most cases, people download and install PUAs when they click deceptive ads that run certain scripts or by downloading and installing software without studying the setup. The set-ups of programs (typically, freeware) often include unwanted apps. This method to distribute unwanted apps is called "bundling".

Developers use bundling to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with regular software. They succeed when people leave settings available in the setup unchanged. Typically, information about the inclusion of additionally-included apps can be found in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings.

Unfortunately, many people fail to check them, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software from official, trustworthy websites only. Do not trust third party downloaders, torrent clients, eMule and other Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, etc. - these tools or sources are often used to promote unwanted software. Check all available "Advanced", "Custom", and other sections/settings included in any download or installation setup.

Dismiss offers to download or install unwanted apps before completing the download or installation. Do not click intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious websites relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. In many cases, they redirect people to dubious sites and sometimes they run scripts that download or install unwanted apps.

If unwanted ads appear or redirects happen often, check for unwanted or suspicious plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions installed on the browser and remove them immediately. Also apply this to software of this kind installed on the operating system.

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:

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.

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

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with pingclock.net ads 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 pingclock.net ads, 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.

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If you have additional information on pingclock.net ads or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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
pingclock.net ads QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of pingclock.net ads on your mobile device.
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