How Did Counterflix Get into Targeted Computer?

My browser is filled with tons of ads provided by Counterflix, which pop up randomly as long as I open the browser. What’s wrong with my computer? My brother tells me that there may be adware on the computer. I am advised to uninstall unwanted programs but I can’t identify the adware clearly. Could you help me to solve the problem? Thanks in advanced.

Do you notice these pop-up windows? We can get information from the words in these ads. As the image below that you send me, I make sure the “killer” is Counterflix.

Do you know about Counterflix?

Counterflix is classified as an ad-supported application, which may cover many browsers with thousands of ads. The program claims that it is helpful for accessing users’ favorite without restrictions. The program can be used when you are using some services including Spotify, Netflix, iPlayer, itv and so on. However, users must tolerate numerous ads while they are enjoying the DNS service by the program. So it isn’t advised to use the tool. Users should choose more reliable and safe tool to browse their favorite websites. The developers of adware get more profit than users from the service. If you insist on using the application, you’d better be careful not to click these ads and avoiding being redirected to strange websites.

Once the program enters your computer, it adds itself to the Windows Schedule Task. That’s why you take one or more minutes to start up your computer. Meanwhile, you browsers infected with the adware will consume more CPU resources than usual. When the adware is installed in your browser, you may see the browser’ CPU utilization will jump to 30% or higher. Over time, the computer performance will become poorer and poorer. The adware can also keep track of users’ browsing activity and collect personal information such as account, password, IP address and bookmarks. Hence, you should remove it as soon as possible if you detect it in your computer.

What Kinds of Advertisements?

In-Text Ads: Advertisements are displayed when you touch a word or a sentence in webpage.
Banners: Ads usually have regular shape like rectangle and square.
Offers: Ads contains sales and discounts information.
Coupons: like offers, coupons also aim to promote consumer to buy their product.
Video: As the name indicates, ads are displayed in the form of videos, or a video contains ads.

How Did Counterflix Get into Targeted Computer?

Like most Potentially Unwanted Programs, the adware also gets into the targeted computer in a bundle with some freeware or shareware such as YTDownloader. YouTube Accelerator and Java Update etc. For example, you download a program and go to the installation process. As the image below shows, the window will show additional programs (the adware included), which usually are checked automatically. To prevent your computer from getting infected with the adware, you can unselect these programs and then click Next button.

There are exceptions, which some program setup won’t show you additional applications in the list. As the image below shows, information about the program are hidden in Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which many computers users usually skip. Hence, you are recommended to read the terms before clicking Install button. To remove the adware, please continue to read the post.

Counterflix Removal Instructions

Removal Instructions are made up of two methods — Manual and Automatic removal guide. In manual removal guide, you should terminate processes and startup items related to the adware firstly. Second, you should check up Add/Remove Programs and your browsers extensions and remove it if you find them. Finally, you’d better clean relevant registry entries. These steps are complicated, so novice computer users are not recommended to use manual removal guide. To avoid unnecessary mistakes, you’d better use automatic removal tools in the post.