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Removal instructions for the fake Global Ad Blocker browser extension

Also Known As: Ads by Global Ad Blocker
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Global Ad Blocker?

Our research team discovered the Global Ad Blocker browser extension while checking out suspicious websites. According to its promotional material, Global Ad Blocker is an ad-blocking tool capable of impeding the display of various online advertisements like banners, overlays, video ads, and others. However, our inspection of this extension revealed that it operates as adware. In other words, instead of blocking adverts – Global Ad Blocker displays them.

Global Ad Blocker adware asking for permissions

Global Ad Blocker adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

The adverts (e.g., pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, etc.) endorse various scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements can perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

It must be mentioned that any genuine content encountered via these ads is unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, it is most probable that this is undertaken by scammers abusing the products'/services' affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions for the endorsement.

Adware might not deliver adverts if certain conditions are unsuitable, such as incompatible browser/system specs, specific sites not visited, etc. However, even if Global Ad Blocker does not display ads – its presence endangers device and user safety.

Furthermore, Global Ad Blocker spies on users' browsing activity. Advertising-supported software typically collects the following information: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Global Ad Blocker on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Global Ad Blocker
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Browser Extension(s) Global Ad Blocker
Supposed Functionality Ad-blocking tool
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).
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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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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed countless adware-type extensions and apps; Quick Pic DownloadImages Switcher, and Dark Theme For Chrome are just a few of our newest finds.

Advertising-supported software usually appears harmless and offers "handy" functionalities. However, the features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did Global Ad Blocker install on my computer?

We acquired Global Ad Blocker from its "official" promotional webpage, and we found a deceptive site endorsing this browser extension. Users typically enter such pages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive advertisements, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

Intrusive ads proliferate advertising-supported software as well. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

Adware can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We advise being cautious when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears innocuous. For example, intrusive ads look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Screenshot of Global Ad Blocker adware's "official" promotional website:

Website promoting Global Ad Blocker adware

Screenshot of a deceptive website used to promote Global Ad Blocker adware:

Deceptive website promoting Global Ad Blocker 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:

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.

Adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for any unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the unwanted applications, 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:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing unwanted 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 "Global Ad Blocker" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing unwanted ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by global ad blocker, 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 unwanted 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 recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removing unwanted ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by global ad blocker 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 global ad blocker, 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 global ad blocker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It displays advertisements promoting deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Additionally, this software usually has data-tracking functionalities, which make it a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware operates by displaying adverts on various interfaces. Some types can also cause redirects and gather private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by promoting content. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Global Ad Blocker adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, even after the adware has been manually removed – various leftovers (files) can remain hidden within the system. What is more, the remnants can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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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 Global Ad Blocker QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Global Ad Blocker on your mobile device.
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