Ads by ForTheSchools
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ForTheSchools?
ForTheSchools is an adware-type application claiming to allow users to recoup certain funds for purchases online - "Get the Free, Secure Browser App (Extension) Today to Receive Automatic Cash Back & Coupons".
Some users may believe that this app is legitimate and useful, however, ForTheSchools generates intrusive online advertisements, tracks Internet browsing activity, and often infiltrates systems without users’ permission. For these reasons, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
This app is developed to generate coupon, pop-up, interstitial, and other similar ads. All are delivered using a 'virtual layer' and, therefore, the ads do not originate from visited websites. By concealing underlying content, the advertisements significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, they are likely to redirect users to untrusted sites containing malicious content. Thus, clicking them is risky and may cause further adware or even malware infections.
Be aware that ForTheSchools adware gathers various types of data that might be personally identifiable including, for example, search queries entered into search engines, websites visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and so on.
Many users are unaware that this information is shared with third party companies who misuse personal details to generate revenue. Having an information-tracking app such as this installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, uninstall this PUP immediately.
ForTheSchools Privacy Policy regarding data sharing:
Business Partners & Sponsors: ForTheSchools may disclose your personal information to trusted business partners or sponsors. Some or all data collected during a ForTheSchools.com promotion may be shared with a sponsor or business partner. By accessing this Site and providing ForTheSchools with personally identifying information about you such as your name, mailing address, phone number or any financial information such as a credit card number about you will be shared (assuming we have it), you agree that ForTheSchools may share this information with affiliates and trusted business partners.
This app shares many similarities with other adware-type PUPs such as Enter Voyage, Picexa, SpaceSoundPro, etc. All offer a number of 'useful' features, and yet, none provide users with any real value. Adware-type programs give fake promises to trick users to install.
After infiltrating the system, apps such as ForTheSchools simply generate intrusive online advertisements and track Internet browsing activity. These apps are designed solely to generate revenue for the developers.
How did ForTheSchools install on my computer?
The developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to promote ForTheSchools adware. Although this application has an official download website, many users install it inadvertently (via bundling) without their consent.
It is well known that many users do not express enough caution during the software download and installation - they rush these processes and skip most steps. With this in mind, developers intentionally hide applications such as ForTheSchools within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings. By skipping this section, users often install potentially unwanted programs inadvertently.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush when downloading and installing software. Use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and carefully analyze these processes. Bear in mind that rogue software (that should be cancelled) is mostly concealed and, therefore, by skipping this section, you expose your system to risk of infection.
ForTheSchools adware installer set-up:
ForTheSchools generating intrusive online ads:
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Quick menu:
- What is ForTheSchools?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ForTheSchools application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ForTheSchools adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove ForTheSchools ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by ForTheSchools' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove ForTheSchools ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ForTheSchools 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 "ForTheSchools", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes ForTheSchools ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove ForTheSchools adware from 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 "ForTheSchools", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fortheschools 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 "ForTheSchools", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the fortheschools 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 "ForTheSchools".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with fortheschools 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 fortheschools 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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