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Ads by Innovate Direct

Also Known As: Innovate Direct adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Innovate Direct?

Innovate Direct is a dubious browser extension developed by SuperWeb LLC. This plug-in claims to significantly improve the Internet browsing experience by providing a number of 'valuable functions' - "We're passionate about improving web by providing the best tools to enhance the browsing experience, from searching the web to comparing online deals to find the best prices.

We've combined all of our great ideas into the Innovate Direct product suite, a FREE set of tools that work to make your browsing experience... better!" These false claims are merely attempts to trick users to install. In fact, Innovate Direct is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

This application infiltrates systems without users’ permission, displays intrusive online advertisements, and continually monitors browsing activity.

Innovate Direct adware

Once infiltrated, Innovate Direct collects search queries entered into search engines, URLs visited, pages viewed, unique identifier numbers, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic location), and a number of other information types relating to Internet browsing activity.

This data may seem insignificant, however, it might contain personally identifiable details. SuperWeb LLC shares this collected information with third parties, some of whom misuse private data to generate revenue. Thus, the presence of Innovate Direct on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even lead to identity theft.

Furthermore, this PUP employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, interstitial, transitional, full-page, search, coupon, price comparison, and other similar intrusive ads. The virtual layer allows display of third party graphical content including generated ads that often conceal underlying website content.

This significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience. In addition, some of these ads lead to malicious websites - clicking them is risky and might cause further adware or malware infections. We strongly advise that you uninstall Innovate Direct immediately.

Innovate Direct Privacy Policy statement regarding data collection:

We only share or sell your non-public personal information with non-affiliated third parties when we believe doing so is permitted by you or authorized by this Privacy Policy. In addition, the Company may share your personal information with our parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies without restriction.

SuperWeb LLC has released hundreds of identical browser extensions such as Checked List, Generous Deal, Jazz Spot, and Native Info. As with Innovate Direct, these add-ons also offer 'valuable features', however, extensions developed by SuperWeb LLC simply attempt to give the impression legitimate software.

The purpose of Innovate Direct, and other identical plug-ins, is to generate revenue for developers. They provide no real value for users - they collect various data (which is later sold to third parties) and deliver intrusive online ads (via the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model).

Deceptive free software installer used in Innovate Direct adware distribution:

innovate direct adware installer

How did Innovate Direct install on my computer?

The developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. Installation of apps such as Innovate Direct is hidden, since many users' do not pay enough attention during the download and installation processes of various additional software.

Users often rush these processes, and skip most/all steps, thus, leading to inadvertent installation of bogus programs including Innovate Direct.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Many PUPs are distributed stealthily and, therefore, you should pay close attention when downloading and installing software. Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and observe each step. Furthermore, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline all offers to download/install.

Innovate Direct adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Powered by Innovate Direct'):

innovate direct adware generating intrusive online ads -

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Quick menu:

Innovate Direct 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.

innovate direct adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove Innovate Direct adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Innovate Direct 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 "Innovate Direct", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Innovate Direct ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the innovate direct 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.

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 Innovate Direct  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 "Innovate Direct", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing Innovate Direct ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the innovate direct adware, 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 Innovate Direct 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 "Innovate Direct".

Removing Innovate Direct ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with innovate direct adware 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 innovate direct adware, 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.

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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.

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.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
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
Innovate Direct adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Innovate Direct adware on your mobile device.
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