How to eliminate Reduce-Light adware and the advertisements it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Reduce-Light?
While inspecting questionable software-promoting websites, our researchers discovered the Reduce-Light browser extension. This piece of software promises to enable dark mode for simple design webpages. However, our analysis revealed that Reduce-Light operates as adware instead.
Reduce-Light adware overview
Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to display third-party graphical content (various ads) on visited websites and/or other interfaces.
These advertisements promote unreliable/harmful sites and software, online scams, and malware. Additionally, some intrusive ads can perform stealthy downloads/installations once clicked on. Note that any genuine products encountered through these adverts are most likely endorsed by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It must be mentioned that adware might not display advertisements if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., browser/system or user geolocation are incompatible, specific websites are not visited, etc.). However, regardless of whether Reduce-Light delivers adverts or not - its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.
What is more, Reduce-Light has data tracking abilities. Advertising-supported software usually collects browsing and search engine histories, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The collected information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like Reduce-Light on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Reduce-Light |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Reduce-Light |
| Supposed Functionality | Dark mode for simple design websites |
| 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed countless adware samples; Movieholic, Nino Colors, and OpenCandy are merely a couple of our newest finds.
This software seldom appears suspicious, it tends to look legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation and/or purchase with "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions are rarely operational.
How did Reduce-Light install on my computer?
We acquired Reduce-Light from its "official" download webpage. In addition to such, adware is promoted on scam sites. Most users access these websites through redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Advertising-supported software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate adware as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official and verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.
We advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads look innocuous yet redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with adverts and/or redirects of this type, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Reduce-Light, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshots of the websites used to promote Reduce-Light 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Reduce-Light?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Reduce-Light application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Reduce-Light ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Reduce-Light' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Reduce-Light extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Reduce-Light adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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 "Reduce-Light", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Reduce-Light ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Reduce-Light adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Reduce-Light adware using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Reduce-Light" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by reduce-light, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Reduce-Light" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by reduce-light 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 reduce-light, 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.
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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by reduce-light 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 usually has data tracking functionalities, which make it a privacy threat. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads promote deceptive/malicious content that may cause serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to feed various advertisements to users. The ads can be displayed on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, this software may be able to cause redirects and collect private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue primarily through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, apps, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Reduce-Light adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various components (files) remain within the system. These remnants might continue running and causing problems. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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