How to stop browsers from opening pingclock.net

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 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.

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:

• What is pinglock[.]net?
• 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 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:

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 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.

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 pingclock.net ads, 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 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, 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 pingclock.net ads, 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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