PCKeeper Ad Pops Around, How to Stop?

Is PCKeeper Ad Virus?

The answer is negative. PCKeeper, according to some download sites, is a collection of computer protection tools. It is a freeware and thus ads are attached to the application. This is why people who install PCKeeper will end up with relentless pop-up ads. Actually, it has been found that harassed by some browser hijackers (Websearch.amaizingsearches.info for example) will also lead to PCKeeper ad.

What PCKeeper Ad Pops up for?

Victims might notice some subtle changes on the affected computer and they are unpleasant:

1. It takes longer to load intended pages as PCKeeper ad need to be displayed in the first place.
2. CPU is consumed more with multiple running processes in the background.
3. Some unknown web application might be caught to be mounted on the affected machine without knowledge.

Though PCKeeper ad is not virus, what it aims at is just the same as virus – the money. Being a piece of freeware, PCKeeper ad requires fund to sustain operation, which is well understood. Though it has posted its ads on reputable sites like YouTube, PCKeeper wants more potential business for profit. Thus, aggressive promotion becomes its priority – force PC users to spot PCKeeper without being taken by installed anti-virus programs as virus.

Why PcKeeper Can’t Be Stopped Easily?

BHO, Applet, ActiveX and JavaScript technologies are adopted to serve its aggressive promotion. With these technologies, PCKeeper ads manage to stay on a target machine since it has its code and configuration information implanted into system settings. Such modification by these technologies will not be taken as malicious as they have long been utilized to improve surfing experience. Since anti-virus programs are not able to help stop PcKeeper ad from popping up, the below manual removal way is highly recommended. Any help request will be promptly answered if you contact VilmaTech Online Support here.

Removal Steps to Remove PCKeeper Popups

1. remove PCKeeper ads' extension.

Internet Explorer
Tools > Manage add-ons > ‘Toolbars and Extensions’ > remove PCKeeper ads' extension > ‘Search Providers’ > remove PCKeeper ads'extension.

Mozilla Firefox
Tools > Options > ‘Extension’ > remove PCKeeper ads' extension > ‘Plugins’ panel > remove PCKeeper ads' extension.

Google Chrome
Spanner icon > "Tools" > ‘Extensions’ > remove PCKeeper ads' extension.

Opera
Opera menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions > remove PCKeeper ads' extension.

Safari
Safari Menu > Preferences > extensions tab > remove PCKeeper ads' extension.



2. use popup blocker to stop PCKeeper ads.

IE
Tools > Options > Privacy tab > “Block pop-ups” > stop PCKeeper ads from popping up.

Firefox
Tools > Options > Web features button > block PCKeeper ads from popping up.

Chrome
Tool menu > Options > “Under the Hood” tab > “Content Settings” > “Pop-ups” > “Exceptions” > rule out PCKeeper ads.

Opera
Opera’s menu > “settings” > “Preference” > General tab > “Pop-up” > “Block Unwanted Pop-ups” > OK button.

Safari
“Safari” > “Preference”>“Security” tab > check “Block pop-up windows".



3. modify hosts files to block PCKeeper ads.

Windows
Right click on PCkeeper ad > select "copy link location" > Win+R key combination > type CMD > hit Enter key > type "ping [the link location]" > Enter key > note down the IP address for PCKeeper ads > navigate to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc > click open Hosts file > paste the IP address to the last line > save file.

Mac OS X
Right click on PCkeeper ad > select "copy link location" > finder launchpad icon > Utilities > Terminal > type "ping [the link location]"  > Enter/Return key > note down the IP address for PCKeeper ads > shift+command+g key combination > type “etc” (/private/etc/hosts) > Enter/Return key > click open Hosts file > paste the IP address to the last line > save it to modify host file.

Potentially Dangerous PCKeeper Ads

One should notice the potential danger of being harassed by PCKeeper ads. The ad is merely a tool to help push the application to as many PC users as possible, therefore it is not necessarily strictly programmed and bug will be consequently found and exploited by intrusive infections spread through the Internet. Once being attacked, its BHO, Applet, ActiveX and JavaScript technologies will be utilized to help record credentials for broader propagation and other confidential information for extra money by reselling to spammers. Cooperating with browser hijackers (since some browser hijacker would direct to PCKeeper ads, it is considered to be so) is undoubtedly and greatly increasing the chance to be taken advantage and captured by virus.

Reference:

[Removal Guide] How to Stop PcKeeper Popup Ad Permanently