How to get rid of the Trash the Cache unwanted app?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
Trash the Cache pop-up ads removal instructions
What is Trash the Cache?
Trash the Cache is supposed to delete browser history, cookies, cache, and some other data. However, it is known that this app functions as adware: it generates revenue for its developers by feeding users with unwanted advertisements. It is noteworthy that adware is a type of software that can be designed to collect data relating to user's browsing habits or even sensitive information. In one way or another, Trash the Cache is not a trustworthy app. Typically, users download and install apps like Trash the Cache unknowingly. For this reason, they are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Usually, adware-type applications serve various annoying ads. Those ads cover the contents of visited websites, takes up space on the user interface. It is common that those advertisements are used to advertise untrustworthy pages or even distribute unwanted apps. However, they cannot open any questionable websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations unless they are clicked. In most cases, apps like Trash the Cache display banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads. As mentioned in the introduction, apps like Trash the Cache can be designed to collect data relating to Internet browsing activities. For example, Internet Protocol addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, and so on. It is known that adware can be capable of accessing sensitive information too (e.g., passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details). The problem with it is that adware developers could misuse collected information for marketing purposes, sell it to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), or for other purposes. These are the main reasons why Trash the Cache and any other adware-type application should never be installed on a browser or the operating system.
Name | Ads by Trash the Cache |
Threat Type | Adware |
Symptoms | Your computer becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
There is a great number of advertising-supported applications on the Internet. Some examples are Clear History, OneUpdater, and Image Search. Usually, apps of this type are supposed to be useful. For example, Trash the Cache app is supposed to clear cache, browser history, etc. However, most of them are worthless. They serve advertisements and (or) collect various information. In other words, the main purpose of adware is to generate revenue for its developer. As mentioned in the first paragraph, adware-type apps are called PUAs because users download and install them unknowingly.
How did adware install on my computer?
It is common for users to download or install potentially unwanted applications together with other programs. It is because PUAs often are bundled with those programs - they are included in downloaders or installers as extra offers. Typically, those downloaders or installers have settings like "Custom", "Advanced", or some checkboxes that can be used to opt out bundled apps. When users do not check downloaders, installers for those settings (leave those settings unchanged), they agree to download, install those apps. Sometimes users cause unwanted downloads or installations by clicking deceptive advertisements - by clicking on ads that are designed to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to choose official and trustworthy websites as sources for downloading files, programs. Other sources like third party downloaders, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule) can be used to distribute unwanted software. The same applies to third-party installers. Also, it is advised not to finish any download or installation without checking a downloader or installer for "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings and seeing if they can be used to decline unwanted offers. Advertisements on pages related to adult dating, gambling, pornography, and other similar pages should not be clicked. It is quite common for those ads to be used for the promotion of untrustworthy websites or the distribution of unwanted programs. Any suspicious or unknown extensions, plug-ins, add-ons that are installed on a browser should be eliminated. Programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Notification saying that Trash the Cache can read and change specific data:
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 Trash the Cache?
- 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 Trash the Cache 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 "Trash the Cache" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by trash the cache, 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 trash the cache 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 trash the cache, 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 trash the cache, 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 trash the cache from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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