How to remove apps that were downloaded via ads on 4anime.to?

4anime[.]to redirect removal instructions

What is 4anime[.]to?

As its domain name suggests, 4anime[.]to is a website offering anime streaming service. There are two problems with this page: it is a pirate that illegally distributes copyrighted content and users rogue advertising networks (has shady ads on it). Therefore, neither 4anime[.]to or other similar websites are legitimate, they should not be visited.

Like most websites of this kind, 4anime[.]to has ads on it that are designed to promote questionable websites. Typically, such pages promote download pages for various browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and potentially unwanted applications of other type. Also, it is common that such pages promote various scam websites, for example, sites like "$500 Amazon Gift Card!", "ERROR #DW6BD36", "Google Chrome Blocked For Security Reasons". Also, it is possible that ads on 4anime[.]to could be designed to cause unwanted downloads, or even installations of unwanted apps by running certain scripts. Another reason not to visit 4anime[.]to is that it offers illegal streaming service.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by 4anime.to
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads
Serving IP Address	104.28.25.134
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.

Furthermore, at the time of the research the mobile 4anime[.]to version promoted a scam website that displayed fake virus alert pop-up saying that a device is infected with viruses and offering to remove them with supposed security app. Although, its mobile version could be used to promote shady websites of other types as well. In one way or another, it is not safe to visit 4anime[.]to, neither it is legal to use its anime streaming service. More examples of websites like 4anime[.]to are soap2day[.]to, livesport[.]ws and myflixer[.]to. It is worthwhile to mention that if a browser opens unreliable pages by itself, then it is likely that it has some PUA installed on it (or there is some PUA installed on the operating system).

How did adware install on my computer?

It is common for potentially unwanted apps to be distributed by using a deceptive marketing method known as "bundling". In such cases they are included in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. Users download and/or install PUAs when they do not decline those offers. Usually it can be done by unticking certain checkboxes or via "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced" (or other settings) that are available in setups. In some cases users cause download and/or install PUAs by clicking ads that ate designed to execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Downloads and installations should not be finished without declining offers to download and/or install unwanted apps (it can be done via "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings). Programs and files should be downloaded only official websites and via direct download links. Unofficial pages, third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), etc., are not trustworthy sources. It is not safe to use third party installers as well. Additionally, it is advised not to click ads on questionable pages. Those ads could open other shady pages or cause unwanted downloads and/or installations. There should not be any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on a browser, or software of this kind installed on a computer. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Ad on 4anime[.]to opens a questionable page (GIF):

Ad on 4anime[.]to opens a website offering consumer loans (GIF):

Mobile 4anime[.]to version displays fake virus alert pop-up:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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.

Quick menu:

• What is 4anime[.]to?
• STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.

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 any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes 4anime[.]to 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 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 4anime.to, 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 ads by 4anime.to 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 4anime.to, 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 4anime.to, 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 4anime.to from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by 4anime.to or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Click to post a comment