Highlightly virus
The Highlightly virus (also found as the brought by Highlightly virus, Ads by Highlightly, Highlightly pop-ups, High Lightly virus, etc.; though not technically a computer virus) is potential malware categorized as adware, a browser hijacker, and spyware that installs to a Microsoft Windows computer system and attaches to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension with or without user consent in order to serve targeted advertisements and create additional privacy and computer functionality problems for computer users.
Once Highlightly malware is installed, the adware program will being to collect user information and will display target advertisements, deals, offers for searched items or currently viewed websites and products on retail websites.
Highlightly ads vary from pop-up, pop-under, in-text, to simple banner adverts that may appear to be generate from a visited website.
Most of the time advertisements served are pop-under browser redirect adverts that take up an entire browser window or computer screen, in-text ads (pictured left) that say “Ads by Highlightly” on them, and pop-up advertisements that appear in images and say “by Highlightly” on them (first picture above).
Highlightly malware and third-party items have also been reported to submit collected user information to third-party marketing and mailing lists without user consent. Some users have reported unwanted email spam, junk mail, and have even complained of unwanted telephone calls from telemarketers concerning their recent browser activity and history.
The Highlightly extension for Google Chrome has permission to access your data on all websites and access your tabs and browsing activity.
How does Highlightly adware get onto a computer?
Highlightly adware often bundles with third-party freeware and shareware, as well as torrents from websites such as download.com and thepiratebay.
In some cases users are given the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install Highlightly adware and other items; however, the request to decline the offer is often ignored or presented in a very confusing manner in order to trick users into installing excessive bloatware and malware.
Highlightly adware can also be manually and voluntarily downloaded from a variety of unethical sources including the company website.
How to remove the Highlightly virus
- Automatically remove Highlightly virus – Scan for and automatically remove Highlightly adware and third-party malware
- Manually remove Highlightly virus – Remove/Uninstall Highlightly adware and third-party malware (if necessary)
- For Tech Support – Call 1-888-879-0084 and they will kindly assist you with removing this infection
1. Automatic Highlightly virus removal
Use the instructions below to automatically remove Highlightly adware and third-party malware, as well as automatically remove unwanted search engines from your installed internet browsers.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
1. We highly recommend writing down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues or problems while following the instructions. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems.
if you need help give us a call
2. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
3. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, make sure to do so.
4. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting the computer system.
5. Once the malware scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a notice stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer.
CCleaner
CCleaner can be used to automatically repair internet browser settings startup up settings, and uninstall Highlightly adware and associated third-party software.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications 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 and click Disable and Delete once anything is found.
4. To automatically uninstall Highlightly and other unwanted programs, navigate to the Uninstall tab and search for Highlightly, etc. in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the unwanted software as selected by clicking the Run Uninstaller button.
2. Manual Highlightly virus removal
Use the instructions below to manually uninstall Highlightly adware and third-party software using Microsoft Windows removal procedures.
How to uninstall Highlightly
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.
3. In the list of installed programs search for Highlightly and other potentially unwanted software. Once the adware program is located, double click the unwanted program(s) or highlight them in the list and click the Uninstall button. Keep in mind that Highlightly may use a different title name than suggested.
4. A pop-up browser window may appear and redirect to the High Lightly website once the software is successfully uninstalled.
How to remove Highlightly add-ons and extensions
Use the instructions to remove Highlightly add-ons, extensions, plug-ins, and toolbars. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party items.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Highlightly extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Highlightly add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Highlightly add-on and remove it if located.
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