AdFreeApp

AdFreeApp is a Web browser extension that is designed to deliver large volumes of advertising material to affected Web browsers. AdFreeApp is considered as adware because AdFreeApp is explicitly designed to deliver advertisements to affected computers, exposing computer users to known tactics and carrying out various affiliate marketing campaigns. Malware researchers have associated AdFreeApp with various different kinds of advertisements, including irritating banner advertisements, in-text advertisements, and pop-up windows that may prevent computer users from using their computer effectively. AdFreeApp is not threatening like viruses or Trojans. However, AdFreeApp is still potentially unsafe due to the various threat-like symptoms that AdFreeApp exhibits and the types of advertisements that have been linked to these kinds of components.

AdFreeApp and Similar PUPs may Disrupt the Computer User’s Work

AdFreeApp may be extremely annoying. These kinds of programs are known as PUPs or Potentially Unwanted Programs because they are not threatening but still cause a large number of problems. AdFreeApp is marketed as a program that can help computer users eliminate unwanted advertisements and receive access to special offers and coupons. However, AdFreeApp may increase the number of advertisements on affected computers and its 'special offers' may not worth having to deal with these types of PUPs. AdFreeApp advertisements may be labeled with the messages 'Ads by AdFreeApp,' 'AdFreeApp Ads,' 'AdFreeApp Deals,' 'AdFreeApp Coupons,' 'Powered by AdFreeApp,' 'Brought by AdFreeApp' and similar labels.

Other Problems that may be Associated with AdFreeApp

There are numerous other problems that may be associated with AdFreeApp, apart from the high number of advertisements. One typical problem that may be linked to AdFreeApp involves performance issues on affected computers. AdFreeApp may cause affected Web browsers and computers to perform much slower than normal. They also may become unstable, often crashing or freezing unexpectedly. In some cases, the AdFreeApp extension may be linked to the Windows 'Blue Screen of Death' or erratic behavior. This may happen because AdFreeApp may consume system resources, running in the background constantly. AdFreeApp also may conflict with other programs installed on the affected computer, especially legitimate security programs and legitimate Web browser extensions. AdFreeApp may make changes to the affected Web browser's settings. For example, AdFreeApp may change the affected Web browser's default search engine and homepage automatically. This will make computer users to be exposed to AdFreeApp advertisements immediately as soon as they launch their Web browsers.

Dealing with AdFreeApp and Similar PUPs

Although AdFreeApp is not threatening, PUPs like AdFreeApp may be very difficult to remove entirely. Unlike legitimate Web browser extensions that may be uninstalled just using the Web browser extension manager, AdFreeApp and other PUPs may require multiple steps to be removed entirely. Failure to remove all components associated with AdFreeApp may result in the PUP reappearing when the affected Web browser starts up again.

1. The first step is to perform a full scan of the affected computer with a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date.
2. Malware analysts then recommend uninstalling AdFreeApp from the affected computer using the Windows Control Panel and from the affected Web browser using the Web browser's Extensions Manager.
3. All traces of AdFreeApp should be deleted immediately. For example, junk files dropped on the affected computer or links that may have appeared on the affected computer's Desktop after AdFreeApp was installed.
4. Computer users may need to remove any changes made to their Web browser and computer settings manually. For example, computer users may need to restore their default search engine and homepage, both of which may be changed by AdFreeApp and other PUPs as soon as they're installed.