Ads by DNS-Keeper

What is DNS Keeper?

According to the developers, the DNS Keeper application provides free DNS services allowing users to unlock blocked websites and digital media. On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, DNS Keeper is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Be aware that DNS Keeper often infiltrates systems without users' permission. Although it claims to be legitimate software, DNS Keeper displays intrusive online advertisements and monitors Internet browsing activity.

To display advertisements, the developers employ a virtual layer, which enables placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Note that the displayed advertisements (banners, pop-ups, coupon, targeted video, etc.) do not originate from the visited webpage.

These ads often conceal underlying webpage content. After clicking the ads, users might be redirected to bogus sites containing infectious content - thus, causing further computer infections. Another downside of this software is information tracking.

DNS Keeper collects a wide range of information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geolocations, web browsing information (websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, cookies, web beacons, cache, etc.), keyboard/mouse inputs, and other similar data.

This information might contain personally identifiable details that DNS Keeper later shares with third parties. Therefore, having this app installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall DNS Keeper immediately.

There are hundreds of applications sharing many similarities with DNS Keeper including Unfollow Alert, Unfriend Review, and Computer Pal. In fact, DNS Unlocker and CloudScout are identical to DNS Keeper. All adware-type applications claim to be legitimate and enhance the Internet browsing experience.

These are simply attempts to give the impression of trustworthy software - the apps deliver little or no real value for the user. Their purpose is to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did DNS Keeper install on my computer?

As with previous examples, DNS Keeper is distributed as a 'bundle' with regular (mostly free) software. Research shows that many users lack caution when downloading and installing software. Developers take advantage of this by intentionally concealing installation of bogus applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings.

Users commonly skip most/all of the download and installation procedure steps, thereby exposing their systems to risk of infection. The developers are concerned only with the amount of revenue generated, and thus, do not properly disclose installation of PUPs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Do not rush the download and installation processes. Closely observe each step when downloading your chosen software to ensure that no third party applications are included.

Furthermore, installation of downloaded programs should be performed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installers used in DNS Keeper adware distribution:

DNS Keeper adware installer setup:

Screenshot of the DNS Keeper application:

Intrusive online advertisements generated by DNS Keeper adware (marked as 'Ads by DNS-Keeper'):

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Quick menu:

• What is DNS Keeper?
• STEP 1. Uninstall DNS Keeper application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove DNS-Keeper adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove DNS-Keeper ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by DNS-Keeper' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove DNS-Keeper ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

DNS-Keeper 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 "DNS Keeper version 1.3", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove DNS-Keeper ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, DNS Keeper 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:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" 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".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the dns-keeper 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.

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.

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

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu 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.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the dns-keeper adware, 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". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with dns-keeper adware 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 dns-keeper adware, 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.

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