How to remove Common Dots (Virus Removal Guide)

Common Dots (CommonDots) is not a program you want to find on your computer or attached to your internet browser. This program has been given the nickname “Common Dots virus” because it is known to be very deceptive and intrusive. However, Common Dots is not technically defined as a computer virus. Common Dots is an adware type program and browser extension that infiltrates a computer system and internet browsers that it affects without user knowledge. It usually automatically downloads and installs in the background. Once Common Dots adware has entered your computer and attached to Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari it will inject the webpages you visit with pop-up advertisements that often say “Ads by Common Dots” or “brought by Common Dots” on them.

What is Common Dots?

Common Dots does not have a legitimate description from the author; However, programs and browser add-ons and extensions similar to it are often promoted by third-party freeware and download managers as a bundled web shopping assistant or web utility program that help help internet users find coupons and deals.

Common Dots adware generates deceptive and intrusive pop-up ads across Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Ads by Common Dots  are defined as ‘targeted’ ads because they use your personal browsing information (including all your data on the websites you visit) to produce advertisements it feels you are most likely to click on. The adware basically ‘targets’ you based off your current and past browsing habits.

Common Dots adware is not technically defined as a computer virus but this adware is still a threat to your privacy and can be the sign of a severe malware infection. The internet security community strongly recommends that you remove Common Dots if you find it installed on your machine or attached to your internet browser as a browser add-on or extension and use reputable Antivirus or Anti-Malware software to eradicate any existing malicious files.

How did Common Dots get on my computer?

Common Dots and programs like it are usually contracted without knowledge. Common Dots is often bundled inside third-party software downloaders and bundlers. It may arrive on a computer system once other programs have been introduced to the machine. Software that Common Dots adware may bundle with includes freeware, shareware, and dubious torrent files.

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• Common Dots bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and malware.
• Common Dots is usually bundled inside installers and downloaders distributed as dubious torrents or as freeware programs distributed by websites similar to download.com and softonic.com.
• Common Dots injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
• Common Dots makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts and check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program is disabled it will enable itself.

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How to remove Common Dots virus

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• Option 1: Automatically remove Common Dots virus with Malwarebytes
• Option 2: Manually remove Common Dots
• Option 3: Call Tech Support 1-888-986-8411

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Option 1: Automatically remove Common Dots virus with Malwarebytes

1. We recommend that you write down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues while removing this infection. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems you may face.

1-888-986-8411

2. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

[button link=”https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fdownloads.malwarebytes.org%2ffile%2fmbam%2f&redirecthash=79CD12ECAB939D32967B5D05C6C86E32″ align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#c71414″ hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”false”]Download “Common Dots” removal tool[/button]

3. Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software once it has finished installing.

4. Make sure that Malwarebytes has been updated. To ensure it is updated click Update Now on the Dashboard.

5. Click the large Scan Now button on the dashboard to perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

6. 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.

[note align=”left”]If you are still having issues removing Common Dots we suggest that use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3 to locate and remove any computer infection that may be present. You may also proceed to option 2 below and view our additional tips to remove Common Dots.[/note]

Option 2: Manually remove Common Dots

How to uninstall Common Dots

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. Click Uninstall a program (or Add and remove program) in the Programs section.

3. Search for Common Dots in the list of installed programs and select it with your mouse, then click Uninstall. You can also double click Common Dots to uninstall it.

[note align=”left”]If you do not find Common Dots in your list of installed program you may need to uninstall additional programs that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove Common Dots below.[/note]

How to remove Common Dots add-ons and extensions

Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the Common Dots extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.

2. Search for the Common Dots add-on and click Remove.

Apple Safari

1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.

2.  Search for the Common Dots extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.

[note align=”left”]If you do not find Common Dots in your list of add-ons and extensions you may need to remove additional attachments that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove Common Dots below.[/note]

Common Dots virus removal tips

• If you do not find Common Dots in your list of installed programs you may need to uninstall additional programs. Additional programs may include suspicious titles that may have been contracted around the same time or after the initial infection.
• If you are still having issues removing Common Dots you should use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3. HitmanPro 3 is the best second opinion scan and removal tool. It can be used to locate and remove remaining threats.
• If you need help our tech support team is standing by 24 hours a day. You can reach tech support at: 1-888-986-8411