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DesktopNews Adware

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

What is DesktopNews?

According to the developers, DesktopNews is a legitimate application that brings all the latest world news directly to the desktop - "DesktopNews Gadget is the easiest way for you to stay update with what is happening in the world." 

On initial inspection, this app might seem legitimate, however, DesktopNews is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The reason for these negative associations is the rogue behavior of DesktopNews, which includes stealth installation, tracking of Internet browsing activity, and display of intrusive online advertisements.

DesktopNews adware

DesktopNews generates various types of intrusive online advertisements such as coupon, banner, and pop-up ads. These often appear identical to regular ads. For this reason, many users are not aware that ads generated by this adware do not originate from their visited sites.

Third party advertisements conceal underlying web content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience. Furthermore, some redirect to malicious sites - clicking them may cause further adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, DesktopNews continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity, gathering various information that might be personally identifiable including IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc. This recorded data is shared with third parties who often misuse personal details to generate revenue.

Thus, having DesktopNews installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall this PUP immediately.

DesktopNews Privacy Policy regarding information tracking and sharing:

We may collect certain information about your web usage and websites you have visited, which may be shared with third parties and used for advertising. NOTE: THE PLUGIN AND OTHER SERVICES COLLECT AND STORES INFORMATION CONCERNING THE WEB PAGES YOU VISIT AND YOUR ACTIVITY ON THOSE PAGES, SUCH AS IMPRESSIONS, CLICKS AND SEARCH TERMS. IN SOME CASES, INFORMATION COLLECTED BY THE PLUGIN AND OTHER SERVICES MAY BE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE, AND IN SOME CASES INFORMATION (INCLUDING INFORMATION FROM OR ABOUT PAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES YOU VISIT) MAY BE USED OR SHARED WITH THIRD PARTIES FOR PURPOSES OF DISPLAYING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS PROMOTIONAL AND MARKETING MATERIAL TO YOU.

DesktopNews shares many similarities with other adware-type programs such as Internet Cupom, SecurityPatchUpdater, Olcinium Browser, and PrintOnKey. All claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience, however, these fake promises are given only to trick users to install.

After infiltrating the system, they do not improve the Internet browsing experience in any way. These programs are designed to generate revenue for the developers by displaying intrusive online advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did DesktopNews install on my computer?

This application is proliferated using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps) and, therefore, usually infiltrates systems without users’ consent.

Many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software - they rush these processes and skip virtually all steps. Developers conceal bogus applications within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings and so by skipping this section, users often install PUPs inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent adware-type computer infections. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software - perform these processes using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, opt-out of all additionally-included applications and decline all offers to download or install - bundled software is mostly infectious.

DesktopNews adware installer set-up:

Official DesktopNews adware installation setup

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Quick menu:

DesktopNews 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.

DesktopNews adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove DesktopNews adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, DesktopNews 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 DesktopNews 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 DesktopNews ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by desktopnews, 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 DesktopNews  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 DesktopNews ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by desktopnews, 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 DesktopNews 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing DesktopNews ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

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

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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 DesktopNews QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by DesktopNews on your mobile device.
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