How to Get Rid of Adchoices

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Download and install AdwCleaner.

   This is a free anti-adware program developed by General Changelog Team.
   
   You can download it for free from general-changelog-team.fr/en/tools/15-adwcleaner.
   
   Many people report success just using AdwCleaner, but if you want to be extra-sure, download the following two programs as well.
2. 2

   Step 2: Download and install Malwarebyte Antimalware.

   This is another free anti-malware program that can help find and remove AdChoices and other malicious programs.
   
   You can get it from malwarebytes.org. , This is another free aniti-adware program developed by Safer Networking.
   
   You can get the free version from safer-networking.org/mirrors , It will be easier for these anti-adware programs to scan when your computer is running in Safe Mode.
   
   Reboot your computer.
   
   Repeatedly hit F8 before the Windows logo appears.
   
   Select "Safe Mode with Networking" from the Advanced Startup menu.
   
   Click here for more detailed instructions on entering Safe Mode. , Start up AdwCleaner and click the "Search" button.
   
   Allow the program to scan your computer (this could take a few minutes). , When AdwCleaner has finished scanning, it will return a list of results.
   
   By default, all of these should be checked already. , AdwCleaner will eliminate all of the checked entries. , Both of these operate similarly to AdwCleaner.
   
   Allow them to scan your computer, and then clean or quarantine the results of the scan.
   
   Only run one scan at a time. , Once you have run a scan with all three programs and removed any results, you can reboot your computer to exit Safe Mode and move on to the next section. , Even if you don't use Internet Explorer, you should still go through these steps, since it is used in some system tasks. ,,,, You will be prompted to restart your computer. , AdChoices infects all of your browsers, so open up Firefox if you have it installed, even if you don't use it.
   
   If you don't have it, skip down to the next browser. , This is located at the bottom of the menu. ,, Click Reset Firefox to confirm. , AdChoices infects all of your browsers, so open up Chrome if you have it installed, even if you don't use it. ,,, Click Reset to confirm. , This is a free anti-adware program that works with OS X
   10.7 (Lion) or later.
   
   If you are running an earlier version of OS X, see the "Manual Removal" section below. , Start AdwareMedic and click "Scan for Adware".
   
   AdwareMedic scans are usually fairly quick. , If AdwareMedic finds any adware files on your computer, it will list them along with the name of the adware program.
   
   Any files which AdwareMedic deems dangerous will automatically be marked for deletion.
   
   You may want to check the items that are left unchecked.
   
   These are usually browser settings files that have been modified.
   
   Removing them will help guarantee that the adware is removed, but will also revert some of your browser settings in the process. , All of the checked results will be removed and placed in a folder in your Trash.
   
   You may be prompted for the administrator password when removing certain adware.
   
   You may also be prompted to reboot your computer in order to complete the process. , Sometimes, adware can make changes to the actual Firefox program.
   
   This isn't something that can be fixed by AdwareMedic, but it will notify you if it finds evidence.
   
   If this happens to you, it is highly recommended that you delete Firefox and redownload it from Mozilla., Safari doesn't have a browser reset option that removes extensions for you, so you'll have to do it all manually. ,,, The location varies depending on the version of Safari you are using.
   
   Set the default search engine back to your preferred search engine. , Look for any unknown extensions and click Uninstall. , These are common locations for some of the most prolific adware.
   
   Copy a line, open the Finder, click "Go" → "Go to Folder"
   
   and then paste the copied line into the field.
   
   This will open the location in Finder so that you can delete the files.
   
   Drag anything selected in these locations to the Trash:/Library/Application Support/VSearch  /Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist  /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.daemon.plist  /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.helper.plist  /Library/LaunchDaemons/Jack.plist  /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack  /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework  /Applications/SearchProtect.app  /Library/LaunchAgents/com.conduit.loader.agent.plist  /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.perion.searchprotectd.plist  /Library/Application Support/SIMBL/Plugins/CT2285220.bundle  ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin  ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/TroviNPAPIPlugin.plugin  /Library/InputManagers/CTLoader/ All contents to Trash  /Library/Application Support/Conduit/ All contents to Trash  ~/Conduit/ All contents to Trash  ~/Trovi/ All contents to Trash , Your browser should no longer be controlled by AdChoices.
3. 3

   Step 3: Download and install Spybot Free Edition.

4. 4

   Step 4: Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

5. 5

   Step 5: Run AdwCleaner.

6. 6

   Step 6: Ensure that all the results are checked.

7. 7

   Step 7: Click the "Clean" button.

8. 8

   Step 8: Run your Malwarebytes and Spybot.

9. 9

   Step 9: Reboot your computer.

10. 10

    Step 10: Open Internet Explorer.

11. 11

    Step 11: Click the Gear icon or the Tools menu and select "Internet Options".

12. 12

    Step 12: Click the .Advanced tab.

13. 13

    Step 13: Click .Reset... button and check the "Delete personal settings" box.

14. 14

    Step 14: Click .Reset to reset Internet Explorer to default and remove AdChoices.

15. 15

    Step 15: Open Firefox (if applicable).

16. 16

    Step 16: Click the Firefox Menu button (☰) and select "Help" (?).

17. 17

    Step 17: Click "Troubleshooting Information".

18. 18

    Step 18: Click the .Reset Firefox... button.

19. 19

    Step 19: Open Chrome (if applicable).

20. 20

    Step 20: Click the Chrome Menu button (☰) and select "Settings".

21. 21

    Step 21: Click the "Show advanced settings" link at the bottom of the page.

22. 22

    Step 22: Scroll down to the bottom of the list and click .Reset settings.

23. 23

    Step 23: Download AdwareMedic.

24. 24

    Step 24: Run the AdwareMedic scan.

25. 25

    Step 25: Look through the list of results.

26. 26

    Step 26: Click the .Remove Selected button.

27. 27

    Step 27: Reinstall Firefox (if prompted).

28. 28

    Step 28: Open Safari.

29. 29

    Step 29: Click "Safari" → "Preferences" and select the "General" tab.

30. 30

    Step 30: Reset the homepage to the page of your choice.

31. 31

    Step 31: Check both the "Security" and the "General" tabs for the default search engine.

32. 32

    Step 32: Click the "Extensions" tab of the "Preferences" menu.

33. 33

    Step 33: Open the file locations listed below.

34. 34

    Step 34: Reboot your Mac.

Detailed Guide

About the Author