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Removing the Make It Dark adware-type browser extension and its adverts

Also Known As: Ads by Make It Dark
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is "Make It Dark"?

Make It Dark is a rogue browser extension that we discovered while inspecting questionable download webpages. This piece of software is promoted as a tool capable of enabling dark mode for browsers. However, our analysis revealed that Make It Dark operates as adware instead.

Make It Dark adware asking for permissions

Make It Dark adware overview

Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These adverts endorse untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of making stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered through these ads are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Note that adware might not deliver advertisements if certain conditions are unmet (e.g., browser/system or user geolocation are incompatible, particular sites are not visited, etc.). However, whether Make It Dark displays adverts is irrelevant - since its presence endangers device/user safety regardless.

Additionally, Make It Dark spies on users' browsing activity. Advertising-supported software usually collects visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of software like Make It Dark on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Make It Dark
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Browser Extension(s) Make It Dark
Supposed Functionality Dark mode for browsers
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 Combo Cleaner.
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Adware examples

We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; what colorAvoiding AdsHelperate, and Dark Surfing are just a few examples.

Advertising-supported software tends to look ordinary and innocuous. It also offers various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did Make It Dark install on my computer?

We acquired Make It Dark from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such dubious download sites, adware is pushed through online scams.

Most users access these webpages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

Advertising-supported software can also be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute adware as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting possible options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplementary apps, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads look ordinary and harmless - however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Make It Dark, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of the website used to promote Make It Dark adware:

Website promoting Make It Dark adware

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:

Make It Dark adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Make It Dark adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Make It Dark", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Make It Dark ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Make It Dark adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Make It Dark ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Make It Dark" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing Make It Dark ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by make it dark, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Make It Dark ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Make It Dark" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removing Make It Dark ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by make it dark removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by make it dark, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It typically has data tracking functionalities, which make it a privacy threat. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads promote dangerous content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of various advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, some types can force-open websites and collect vulnerable information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the profit is generated through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, products, applications, services, etc. Adware developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, file downloads, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Make It Dark adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all adware-type applications detected. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, despite the adware being (manually) removed - various file leftovers stay within the system. What is more, these components might continue running and causing problems. Hence, thoroughness is essential for advertising-supported software removal.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Make It Dark QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Make It Dark on your mobile device.
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