How to uninstall the Valerie adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Valerie adware removal instructions
What is Valerie?
Valerie is the name of a rogue application, classified as adware. Following successful infiltration, it runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, Valerie delivers various misleading and even harmful ads. Most adware-types have data tracking abilities, which are used to gather information relating to browsing activity. It is highly likely that Valerie possesses such functionality as well. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute adware-type apps, they are also deemed to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content - typically, on any visited website. Hence, the pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive adverts do not originate from the sites themselves. The delivered advertisements severely diminish the browsing quality, as they overlay webpages and slow down the browsing speed. Furthermore, once clicked on, intrusive ads redirect to a variety of untrustworthy/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install software. PUAs are a prime example of content infiltrated into systems in this manner. Unwanted applications can have different heinous abilities and these functions can be in varied combinations. Some PUAs can force-open unreliable and dangerous sites. Browser hijackers are another type of PUAs, which operate by making modifications to browser settings and restricting/denying access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains) ending with Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate ones. What is more, most PUAs (adware included) can track data. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.
| Name | Ads by Valerie |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Detection Names | 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 Malwarebytes. |
Valerie is practically identical to MusiCalm, and shares many similarities with WikiNow, RelevantKnowledge, PopBlock+, Giphy Search and countless other adware-type apps. They appear legitimate and offer a broad range of "useful" functionalities. However, despite how good the promised features may sound - they are usually nonoperational. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers; therefore, functionality and user safety are irrelevant. Instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and collect private data.
How did Valerie install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. by ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Express| settings, etc.) - users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Select PUAs have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy channels, like: unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders. Download and installation processes must be treated with caution; hence, it is important to read terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and harmless, however they redirect to various unreliable and questionable sites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.). Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with Valerie, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the download/installation setup used to distribute Valerie adware:
Screenshot of Valerie adware's installation folder:
Users who have Valerie adware installer are very likely to encounter this pop-up:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Valerie?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Valerie application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Valerie ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Valerie' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Valerie extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove Valerie adware from Internet Explorer.
Valerie 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 "Valerie", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Valerie ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Valerie adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Valerie 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 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 valerie, 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 plugins 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 valerie 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 valerie, 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.
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 valerie, 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.
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 valerie from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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