How to remove apps that open dubious sites such as click-to-win-prize.com

What is click-to-win-prize[.]com?

click-to-win-prize[.]com is one of many untrusted websites that redirect visitors to other web pages of this kind, or load dubious content. Some examples of similar sites are sabs-news[.]info, pushcleansystem[.]com and checkvd[.]com.

Users do not often visit these pages intentionally - in most cases, they are opened through clicked dubious ads, other bogus websites, or by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Note that PUAs are often designed to open bogus web pages, gather browsing-related information, and serve various advertisements.

click-to-win-prize[.]com opens about 2-3 other bogus pages or displays dubious content. The way it operates depends on the visitor's geolocation. This site also tries to deceive visitors into allowing it to show notifications using a 'clickbait' technique - click-to-win-prize[.]com suggests that it can be loaded by clicking the "Allow" button.

In fact, by clicking it, visitors allow it to show unwanted notifications. Commonly, these web pages display notifications containing links to untrusted websites, dubious advertisements, and so on. If click-to-win-prize[.]com or other websites of this kind are opened by a the browser often, it is very likely that it is caused by an installed PUA.

These rogue apps also serve coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys and other ads. If clicked, these open dubious websites and cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.

Additionally, PUAs often track information - they collect data relating to users' browsing habits (e.g., IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and geolocations). Sometimes they can access personal, sensitive details as well. The information is misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways.

In such cases, users might become victims of identity theft, experience problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. Therefore, you are strongly advised to avoid downloading or installing apps of this type.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by click-to-win-prize.com
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Serving IP Address	34.231.89.205
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.

Most PUAs do not improve the browsing experience or include any useful features. Despite this, they are often advertised as useful and legitimate applications. Their main purpose is to open dubious addresses, display ads, and gather data. If these apps are already installed on your system, remove them immediately.

How did adware install on my computer?

In most cases, people download and install potentially unwanted applications inadvertently when they are distributed by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Generally, offers to download or install PUAs are listed in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings. Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download or install PUAs. In some cases, unwanted downloads and installations are caused via deceptive advertisements that, when clicked, execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is important to download programs and files only from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. Third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, etc., are often used to distribute potentially unwanted or even malicious programs.

The same applies to third party installers. Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings and decline any offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they can open bogus websites or run scripts to download or even install unwanted applications.

Remove any unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser immediately. The same should be applied to software of this kind that is 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.

Appearance of click-to-win-prize[.]com website (GIF):

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 Ads by click-to-win-prize.com?
• STEP 1. Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome
• STEP 2. Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android)
• STEP 3. Remove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox
• STEP 4. Remove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge
• STEP 5. Remove spam notifications from Safari (macOS)

Disable unwanted browser notifications:

Video showing how to disable web browser notifications:

Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome:

Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". In the opened window select "Privacy and security", then click on "Site Settings" and choose "Notifications".

In the "Allowed to send notifications" list search for websites that you want to stop receiving notifications from. Click on the three dots icon near the website URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android):

Tap the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". Scroll down, tap on "Site settings" and then "Notifications".

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and tap on them one-by-one. Once the pop-up shows up, select either "Block" or "Remove" (if you tap "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen. Select "Settings" 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 and block them using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove Website" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove Website" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge:

Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings". Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen and select "Notifications".

Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL under "Allow" section and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Remove spam notifications from Safari (macOS):

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 using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

How to avoid browser notification spam?

Internet users should be very skeptical when being asked to allow notifications. While this is a useful feature that allows you to receive timely news from websites you like, deceptive marketers frequently abuse it.

Only allow notifications from websites that you fully trust. For added security - use an anti-malware application with a real-time web browsing monitor to block shady websites that tries to trick you into allowing spam notifications. We recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

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