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PushOK Adware

Also Known As: Ads by PushOK
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is PushOK?

PushOK is a deceptive application offering product advertising services. On initial inspection, claims to quickly advertise products and significantly increase revenue, may appear useful, however, be aware that PushOK is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that often infiltrates system without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration, this adware continually generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

PushOK adware

The types of advertisements generated by PushOK adware include (but are not limited to) pop-up, banner, and coupon ads. All are displayed using a ‘virtual layer’, and thus, none originate from users' visited websites. Note that third party advertisements conceal the content of visited web pages, and therefore, your Internet browsing experience is diminished.

Furthermore, some redirect to dubious malicious sites, and hence, there is a high probability that clicking them will result in high-risk adware or malware infections. In addition, PushOK continually monitors Internet browsing activity and gathers various information that may be personally identifiable.

For example, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, etc. The data is shared with cooperating third party companies who can can misuse these personal details to generate revenue.

Thus, having PushOK installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall this adware immediately.

PushOK is not the only application with this behavior. There are hundreds of PUPs offering various 'useful' features including MusicOptimizerLab, BrowserSafer, and Emotypecon. Bear in mind that all adware gives false promises of enhancing the Internet browsing experience simply to trick users to install.

Their real purpose is to generate revenue for the developers - they merely deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model) and collect personal data (which is later sold to third parties). Users receive no real value.

How did PushOK install on my computer?

As with any other regular adware, PushOK often infiltrates the system using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.

The problem is that many users do not expect rogue applications to be hidden - they rush the download/installation processes, skipping the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. In doing so, they inadvertently install PUPs, thereby compromising their privacy and exposing their systems to risk of further infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush when downloading and installing software. Both of these processes must be performed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, since third party applications are probably rogue, and should be cancelled. Download your chosen software from trusted sources and never accept offers to download or install additional apps.

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Quick menu:

PushOK 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.

PushOK adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove PushOK adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing PushOK 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 "PushOK", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing PushOK ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by pushok, 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 PushOK  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 "PushOK", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing PushOK ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by pushok, 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 PushOK 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 "pushOK_atarata".

Removing PushOK ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by pushok 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 pushok, 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:
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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
Ads by PushOK QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by PushOK on your mobile device.
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