Remove “Ads By InstallTeam” (Virus Removal Guide)
Name | InstallTeam, InstallTeam virus, Ads by InstallTeam, Install Team |
Category | Adware |
Short Description | The adware may collect both PII and non-PII. It is promoted as an online shopping assistant |
Symptoms | The user may experience unwanted advertisements in the web browser. |
Distribution Method | It’s official page, freeware, third-party download managers, dubious advertisements. |
Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By InstallTeam |
InstallTeam is adware compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, and others. It is not considered malicious, but it may cause several issues on the computer system and the internet browser. InstallTeam adware is ad-supported and/or supported by sponsored search results; it will generated unwanted advertisements in the browser and cause browser redirects to questionable webpages. Continue reading to learn the risks about using adware and potentially unwanted programs.
InstallTeam Distribution Method
InstallTeam is promoted on its official website and other locations on the web. The adware is designed for the online shopper and should essentially offer discounts and deals on various items, as well as sponsored search results. Even if InstallTeam does what it is supposed to do, the user can be affected because of its data collection policy and changes to existing internet browser settings.
Once the extension is added to the affected internet browser, various user details may be obtained from the user. The data collection is described in the product’s Privacy Policy. Getting to know the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and Download Agreement of freeware is crucial to keeping your online information safe and sound.
Here are two quotes from the InstallTeam’s Privacy Policy as of September 29, 2015, regarding the type of information collected while using the add-on.
Collection of Non-personally Identifiable Information
→Non-personally identifiable information, which can be gathered by User’s use of InstallTeam (“Non-personal Information”). The actual identity of the User, from which the Non-personal Information is collected, is not known. Non-personal Information consists of technical information and aggregated usage information, and may contain, among other things, the User’s activity on InstallTeam, User’s operating system (…).
Collection of Personally Identifiable Information:
→Personally identifiable information is information that identifies an individual User, and may or may not be private or sensitive (“Personal Information”). Personal Information may consist of the User’s IP address or other persistent User identifier, which is unique to your device and assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and used primarily to improve the User’s experience and for geographic personalization and security purposes (…).
If such details are collected by or shared with a third party, the user may be endangered in several ways:
- Banking and credit card information may be accessible to hackers.
- Third party tracking technology may be applied to his browser.
- Excessive email spam, telephone calls from telemarketers and scam artists, and junk mail at home.
Furthermore, ad-supported software is known to:
- Generate intrusive or suspicious ads that redirect to predefined or compromised websites.
- Promote unwanted programs, malware, and rogue products that affect the system’s performance by altering the Registry, Scheduler, and other existing settings.
InstallTeam Removal Options
InstallTeam can be uninstalled manually from your computer and internet browser. We have provided several steps below the article to show you how remove InstallTeam and other threats. However, if you have clicked on any random ads or have been redirected to suspicious websites, your system may have been exposed to malware and other threats. To make sure your PC is completely clean and your information is protected from cyber criminals, we recommend that you follow all the steps below.
Step 1: Uninstall InstallTeam from Windows
Follow the instructions to uninstall InstallTeam and other programs that it may bundle with from your Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 computer. If you do not find InstallTeam installed on your computer but still notice unwanted symptoms such as pop-up ads while you browse the web it is recommended to use Malwarebytes and HitmanPro to eradicate troublesome files.
1. Open Windows Start or Task menu and go to the Control Panel (or directly to Programs and Features).
2. In the “Programs” section click Uninstall a program (or Add and remove programs).
3. Search for InstallTeam in the list of installed programs and double click it to uninstall it. You can also select InstallTeam with your mouse and click the Uninstall button once it appears. Once you have uninstalled InstallTeam look for other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs and uninstall any if they are found. A general tip is to click “Installed On” to locate any programs that installed around the same time.
Step 2: Remove unwanted browser attachments
Follow the instructions to remove InstallTeam add-ons and extensions, as well as other attachments that it may bundle with from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer & Edge, and Apple Safari. If you do not find a InstallTeam attachments installed on your internet browser but still notice unwanted symptoms such as pop-up ads while you browse the web it is recommended to use Malwarebytes and HitmanPro to eradicate troublesome files. To remove InstallTeam from Microsoft internet browsers you must uninstall the program.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the InstallTeam extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the InstallTeam add-on and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the InstallTeam extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
Step 3: Remove InstallTeam with Malwarebytes
Follow the instructions to remove InstallTeam with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
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2. Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software once it has finished installing.
3. Make sure that Malwarebytes has been updated. To ensure it is updated click Update Now on the Dashboard.
4. Click the large Scan Now button on the dashboard to perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
5. When the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and then click the Finish button or restart your computer if Malwarebytes suggests that you do so.
Step 4: Remove InstallTeam with HitmanPro
Follow the instructions to remove InstallTeam with HitmanPro second-opinion software.
1. Download and install HitmanPro second opinion scanner and removal tool.
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3. Once Hitman Pro is installed, open the program and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
4. When the scan is complete, click the Next button again to delete any threats or traces on your system.
5. If you are initially using the free version, to activate it, enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
6. Restart your computer by selecting Reboot.
Step 5: Clean and repair your computer with CCleaner
Follow the instructions to clean your computer and repair your computer’s settings.
1. Download and install CCleaner by Piriform.
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2. Once installed, open the program and go to the main Cleaner screen and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries. If you find any thing suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Finally, go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.