How to remove refresh color adware from a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is refresh color?
refresh color is the name of a browser extension we discovered on a deceptive website. After downloading and adding it, we learned that it shows annoying advertisements. Apps of this type are classified as advertising-supported apps (adware).
refresh color in detail
refresh color is described as an application that "refreshes colors for web pages". However, it displays pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and other advertising material. Clicking those ads can open untrustworthy websites, for example, phishing pages, technical support scam pages, download sites for potentially malicious apps, etc.
Also, ads displayed by adware can cause unexpected downloads and even installations. In such cases, ads o this type are designed to run certain scripts. Thus, it is strongly recommended not to have any adware added to a browser or installed on the operating system or trust ads generated by software of this type.
| Name | Ads by refresh color |
| 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 Combo Cleaner. |
More about adware
There are adware-type apps capable of reading sensitive information (refresh color can read and change data on all visited pages). Also, they can be designed to promote fake search engines by changing the settings of Internet browsers. Most apps of this type are promoted and distributed using deceptive/questionable methods.
More adware examples are Black-Lights, Darknes, and Cash.
How did adware install on my computer?
refresh color gets added to a web browser after following the steps on a deceptive page (a screenshot of that page is provided below). In other cases, apps of this type get installed via fake installers, untrustworthy advertisements, or software bundles. It is uncommon for them to be installed intentionally.
Installers used to distribute unwanted apps include settings (e.g., "Advanced", "Custom") or have checkboxes. Either way, unwanted installations occur after installing programs without changing those settings (without deselecting optional installations).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from trustworthy/official pages and legitimate stores. Do not use third-party stores, unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources to download them. Do not forget to check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps and deselect them before downloading or installing software.
Also, do not trust advertisements on torrent sites, adult dating pages, and other pages of this kind (or agree to receive notifications from such web pages). If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive page instructing to add the refresh color to a web browser:
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 refresh color?
- 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.
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 any unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the unwanted application, 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 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 "refresh color" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select them and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by refresh color, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by refresh color 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 refresh color, 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 refresh color or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
The most common issues with having adware installed on the operating system are diminished Internet browsing experience, manipulated settings of a web browser, poor computer performance, and (or) invaded privacy.
What does adware do?
The purpose of advertising-supported software is to generate advertisements. In some cases, apps of this type gather information about users and (or) hijack web browsers.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware is monetized via affiliate programs and in similar ways. Its developers participate in affiliate programs and get paid for promoting websites, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove refresh color adware?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all adware-type applications. It is recommended to remove adware automatically to avoid leaving files belonging to adware in the system.
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