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Ads by AP Suggestor

Also Known As: Smart Offer adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is AP Suggestor?

The Offer browser plug-in is described as a legitimate extension that will save time and money by displaying special deals/discounts available on shopping websites. Although this functionality may seem useful, this browser add-on is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Offer is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of rogue applications together with regular software.

After infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, this PUP generates intrusive online advertisements (often labelled as 'AP Suggestor ads') including search, text, video, image, and other similar ads. These delivered advertisements can cause high-risk adware and malware infections.

AP Suggestor adware

Furthermore, this adware collects various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable. For example: websites visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geo-locations), etc. The presence of this adware on your system may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Adware-type apps such as Offer are similar to many others including, for instance, Movie Wizard, Ebon Browser, and DoReMe

These applications claim to enable various features, however, they provide no value to the user. In fact, they diminish browser performance, display intrusive online ads, and share collected data with third parties to generate revenue. You are strongly advised to eliminate Offer adware from your system.

Currently, most adware is distributed via small 'download programs' (also called 'download managers', 'download clients', 'installers', and so on) on freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com. Download clients are used to monetize these websites' services by including additional programs when users download free software.

These apps are described as virus-free, however, they are mostly adware or malware infections. To avoid infiltration, inspect each step of the free software download procedure and click 'Decline' if installation of any additional apps is offered.

If you are installing downloaded programs, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If you have installed Offer, and you observe AP Suggestor ads while surfing the Internet, follow the removal guide below to eliminate this problem from your system.

Deceptive free software installer used in Smart Offer adware distribution:

AP Suggestor adware installer

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Quick menu:

AP Suggestor 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.

AP Suggestor adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes AP Suggestor ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove AP Suggestor adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing AP Suggestor ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Offer", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing AP Suggestor ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart offer adware, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing AP Suggestor  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Offer", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing AP Suggestor ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart offer adware, 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 AP Suggestor 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". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Offer".

Removing AP Suggestor ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smart offer adware 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 smart offer adware, 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.

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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.

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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
Smart Offer adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Smart Offer adware on your mobile device.
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