FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

DNS Unlocker Adware

Also Known As: Ads by DNS-Unlocker
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is DNS Unlocker?

The DNS Unlocker application supposedly allows users to access blocked websites, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to distribute DNS Unlocker, and therefore, this type of app is often bundled with free software downloadable on freeware download websites.

Many users do not pay close enough attention when downloading and installing programs - cyber criminals use this oversight to their benefit and to generate revenue. DNS Unlocker infiltrates popular Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) and generates intrusive online advertisements.

Adware-type applications (including DNS Unlocker) deliver adverts using a virtual layer, which displays third party content on any websites visited.

Furthermore, some advertisements are opened in new Internet browser tabs/windows. Ads displayed by DNS Unlocker (banner, pop-up, targeted video, coupon, offers to install other software, etc.) can cause high-risk computer infections, and therefore, you should never click unrecognised/suspicious advertisements.

dns unlocker adware main

As with regular adware, DNS Unlocker collects various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. Although the Privacy Policies of most adware-type applications claim to track non-personal information, your identity will not remain anonymous with this software installed.

Collected information may include Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geographic location, browsing information (visited sites, viewed pages, search queries, browsing history, cache, web beacons, saved passwords, etc.), mouse/keyboard inputs (to record, for instance, credit card details), and so on.

This gathered information is sent to the developers' servers and then shared with third parties. There is a high probability that this collected data will be shared with cyber criminals, thereby causing serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, adware-type applications such DNS Unlocker should be uninstalled from your system immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by DNS-Unlocker
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
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.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner
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.

DNS Unlocker is identical to CloudScout adware. Moreover, there are hundreds of other PUPs that share similarities with this deceptive application including PriceFountain, BaselineTV Media Manager, thirteen degrees, and Application Nation.

 These PUPs offer useful features, however, they are developed simply to generate revenue by displaying ads and sharing collected data - they provide no real value to the user.

Freeware download websites (such as downloads.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc.) encourage users to use small download programs (called 'installers', 'download managers', 'download tools', 'download clients', and so on) to download the chosen software.

Download apps supposedly ease the download process, however, they offer installation of third party applications with the chosen software. Furthermore, these promoted applications are described as 'legitimate and virus-free', and yet, most are categorized as adware or malware.

Therefore, decline all offers to install additional apps. If you have installed DNS Unlocker, read the following guide and eliminate this threat from your system.

How did DNS Unlocker install on my computer?

DNS Unlocker is distributed using the bundling method - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software. Research shows that users often skip steps of software download and installation process, making this method highly effective.

Installation of additional applications is usually hidden under the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, thus, skipping this step prevents users from seeing bundled software listed for installation from which they could otherwise decline.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Pay close attention and closely observe the download process of free software. Opt-out of download/installation of any unrecognised applications. In addition, after downloading software, install it using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.

Do not rush the installation process and express caution, otherwise you may inadvertently install potentially unwanted programs.

Deceptive free software installers used in DNS Unlocker adware distribution:

dns unlocker adware installer sample 9 dns unlocker adware installer sample 8 dns unlocker adware installer sample 7 dnsunlocker adware installer sample 6 dns unlocker adware installer sample 5 dns unlocker adware installer sample 4 dns unlocker adware installer sample 3 dns unlocker adware installer sample 2 dns unlocker adware installer

Screenshot of DNS Unlocker application:

dns unlocker application

DNS Unlocker adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ads by DNSUnlocker' or 'Ads by DNS-Unlocker'):

dns-unlocker ads sample 8 dnsunlocker ads sample 7 (search ads) Ads by DNSUnlocker sample 6 dnsunlocker ads sample 5 dnsunlocker adware generating online ads sample 1 dnsunlocker adware generating online ads sample 2 dnsunlocker adware generating online ads sample 3 dnsunlocker adware generating online ads sample 4

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:

DNS Unlocker 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.

DNS Unlocker adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "DNS Unlocker version 1.3", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove DNS Unlocker adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, DNS Unlocker did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing DNS Unlocker 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing DNS Unlocker ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by dns-unlocker, 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 DNS Unlocker  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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing DNS Unlocker ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by dns-unlocker, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing DNS Unlocker 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing DNS Unlocker ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

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

▼ Show Discussion

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.

Our malware removal guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

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 DNS-Unlocker QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by DNS-Unlocker on your mobile device.
We Recommend:

Get rid of Windows malware infections today:

▼ REMOVE IT NOW
Download Combo Cleaner

Platform: Windows

Editors' Rating for Combo Cleaner:
Editors ratingOutstanding!

[Back to Top]

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.