How to uninstall MusiCalm adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MusiCalm?
MusiCalm is a rogue application categorized as adware. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Therefore, it delivers various unwanted and possibly harmful ads. Furthermore, most adware programs possess data tracking capabilities employed to monitor users' browsing habits, and it is highly likely that this app has such capabilities.
Due to MusiCalm's dubious proliferation methods, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). It has been observed being distributed via illegal software activation tools ("cracks"), which are commonly used to proliferate malware as well (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, etc.).
MusiCalm adware enables the placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Therefore, the advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, etc.) do not originate from the sites, but are delivered by MusiCalm. The intrusive ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, since they limit browsing speed and web page visibility (by overlaying them).
Additionally, once clicked, they can redirect to sale-oriented, rogue/untrusted, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious websites. Some of these advertisements can even be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install software.
A prime example of content infiltrated into systems in this manner are PUAs. These applications can force-open similarly dangerous websites, similar to redirects by intrusive ads.
Other unwanted apps can modify browsers and restrict/deny access to settings - this, to promote fake search engines. PUAs (including adware) often monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).
This data typically contains personally identifiable information. Furthermore, the developers of such applications usually share the collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.
Therefore, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to various system infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by MusiCalm |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus. |
| Detection Names (MusiCalm) |
Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (rogue installer) |
Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.MSILPerseus.213713), DrWeb (Trojan.DownLoad4.13619), Emsisoft (Gen:Variant.MSILPerseus.213713 (B)), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Access+, Damn Good Recipe Promos, Best Media Converter, and MessengerHub are some examples of other adware-type apps. They rarely seem suspicious - this software might appear legitimate and useful.
People are often tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" functions, however, these features are seldom operational and, even if they do work, it is not as promised. This applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers.
Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted and malicious websites, hijack browsers and gather private information.
How did MusiCalm install on my computer?
MusiCalm is distributed via illegal activation ("cracking") tools, however, PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other products as well. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content onto systems. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.
Once clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content, and should thus be avoided.
It is also important to activate software only with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers, since illegal activation tools ("cracks") are often used to proliferate PUAs and even malware. When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on.
Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and others).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with MusiCalm, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of MusiCalm installation folder:
Screenshot of MusiCalm adware on Windows Taskbar:
Screenshot of the rogue installer ("cracking" tool) used to proliferate MusiCalm adware:
Screenshot of MusiCalm adware process in Windows Task Manager:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is MusiCalm?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MusiCalm application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove MusiCalm adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MusiCalm ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MusiCalm' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove MusiCalm extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MusiCalm 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 "MusiCalm", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes MusiCalm ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove MusiCalm adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, MusiCalm did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 musicalm, 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 musicalm, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by musicalm 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 musicalm, 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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