How to remove software causing redirects to theactualnewz.com website?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
Theactualnewz[.]com pop-up ads removal instructions
What is theactualnewz[.]com?
Theactualnewz[.]com is a rogue site, sharing many similarities with bestcaptcharesolver.com, newsfeedzscrollz.com, znews-live.com, and thousands of others. This webpage operates by presenting visitors with unreliable content and/or redirecting them to untrustworthy and possibly malicious websites. Most users access such pages via redirects caused by intrusive adverts or installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). These apps are proliferated using dubious techniques and may stealthily infiltrate devices. PUAs are designed to cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect browsing-related information.
Once accessed, theactualnewz[.]com firstly checks the visitor's IP (Internet Protocol) address - to learn their geolocation. The latter is crucial to determining the website's further course of action. To elaborate, whether visitors get redirected elsewhere and/or are presented with questionable material - depends on their geolocations. Furthermore, rogue pages use deceptive tactics to trick users into enabling their browser notifications. This is the case with theactualnewz[.]com as well; it implies that to continue watching online content - visitors must allow its notifications. Should these instructions be followed, the webpage will begin delivering various notifications/advertisements. The delivered ads are more than just a nuisance. Upon being clicked, intrusive adverts redirect to dangerous sites and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).
PUAs can have varied heinous functionalities, and these functions can be in different combinations. For example, these applications can force-open untrustworthy/malicious websites and/or run intrusive advertisement campaigns. Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking abilities. They can record browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and other details). The gathered data is highly likely to contain personally identifiable information. What is more, PUAs developers monetize this vulnerable data by sharing/selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, unwanted software can cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and lead to identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.
Name | theactualnewz.com pop-up |
Threat Type | Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads |
Detection Names | CRDF (Malicious), CyRadar (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), SCUMWARE.org (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 139.45.197.176 |
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 Malwarebytes. |
PUAs appear ordinary and offer "useful" features. However, despite how good the promised functions may sound - they are usually nonoperational. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns, and collect private data.
How did adware install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing ordinary programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. PUAs may also have "official" download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads should be done only from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to various unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this type, the device must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshots of advertisements delivered by theactualnewz[.]com website:
Appearance of theactualnewz[.]com website (GIF):
IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications.
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" 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, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings"
- Click on "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)
Safari (Mac):
- 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 for each
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 theactualnewz[.]com?
- 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 theactualnewz[.]com 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 theactualnewz.com pop-up, 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 theactualnewz.com pop-up 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 theactualnewz.com pop-up, 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 theactualnewz.com pop-up, 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 theactualnewz.com pop-up from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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