Remove Cookies On-Off Adware from Chrome

Can’t Remove Cookies On-Off adware? This page includes detailed Cookies On-Off Removal instructions!

Have you found yourself stuck with a program named Cookies On-Off? Then you definitely made the right call to get rid of this infection. Even though Cookies On-Off is supposed to provide useful functionalities, in reality, it is nothing but a PC virus. It has been classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) as well as adware. Hence, the sooner you get rid of the intruder, the better. Do not underestimate this parasite’s malicious potential as it has plenty of that. Instead, take care of your further safety and uninstall the virus. PUPs/adware programs are famous for being deceptive. As mentioned, Cookies On-Off promises to be a perfectly safe online application. It relies on lies to trick you into keeping the infection on board. However, all the time Cookies On-Off spends on your machine allows it to cause you harm. Malware gets activated immediately after installation. For starters, the adware/PUP adds a browser extension. By doing so, this pest injects your once trusty browsers with ads. All kinds of ads. If you thought that was bad, you should hear the rest of Cookies On-Off’s shenanigans. The commercials this parasite generates are sponsored which automatically means they are unreliable. Are you willing to risk installing more infections on your already infected PC? Don’t be gullible to click any of these dubious advertisements. If you’re seeing a certain pop-up, you’re only seeing it because hackers want you to. Crooks actually gain revenue through the pay-per-click mechanism. All they have to to is cover your PC screen with a pile of sponsored pop-up ads. You do the rest by clicking these commercials open. That means you could land straight on malicious websites full of parasites. Yes, you could download more infections before you even know it. We’d recommend that you stay away from anything displayed by a cyber virus. The nasty Cookies On-Off infection isn’t even remotely trying to enhance your online shopping experience. It’s solely trying to provide hackers a quick and easy way to make money. Furthermore, their profit comes at your expense because you’re forced to deal with the adware/PUP. This program might serve as a back door to malware. It also slows down your PC speed and causes your browsers to freeze/crash. To top it all, the virus could jeopardize your privacy by stealing sensitive data.

Remove Cookies On-Off

How did I get infected with?

There is quite a simple explanation of the parasite’s unwanted presence. Chances are, the virus was bundled with other programs and crooks took advantage of your haste. Next time you download software bundles off of the Internet, pay attention. You could accidentally agree to install much more than you originally wanted. To prevent that, you have to deselect any potential threat that’s attempting to slither itself on board. Freeware and shareware bundles are among the most popular virus infiltration techniques online. As you could imagine, this method is used by various types of parasites. That includes some notoriously harmful infections like Trojan horses and ransomware viruses. Unless you watch out for parasites, you could end up installing destructive programs. Opt for the Custom/Advanced option in the Setup Wizard and take your time. This may seem like a time-consuming thing to do but it could save you the hassle afterwards. Preventing installation is easier than having to delete a parasite. Be the one in control of the installation process and don’t skip any steps. You might also be skipping precious opportunities to protect your device from intruders. In addition, check out the Terms and Conditions or EULA (End User License Agreement).

Why is this dangerous?

Being compatible with all your browsers, this program is problematic. It creates a complete and utter mess on your computer system and constantly harasses you. Cookies On-Off makes sure you get bombarded with sponsored pop-up ads every single time you surf the Web. Avoid clicking these misleading pop-ups as they could be very dangerous. Some of the ads are, without a doubt, corrupted so don’t take any chances. Prevent further damage by deleting the adware/PUP ASAP. This infection also redirects you to random websites and could display fake program updates. Keep in mind how many tricks it has yet to offer. Instead of tolerating hackers’ attempts to make money online, remove their creation. Cookies On-Off will collect your browsing history, IP addresses, email addresses and other details as well. To delete it manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Cookies On-Off virus

The Cookies On-Off infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Cookies On-Off infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the Cookies On-Off infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Cookies On-Off in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Cookies On-Off startup location

STEP 3: Delete Cookies On-Off traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Cookies On-Off in the computer memory

  • Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
  • Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Cookies On-Off startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

  • Open any folder
  • Click on “Organize” button
  • Choose “Folder and Search Options”
  • Select the “View” tab
  • Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
  • Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
  • Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Cookies On-Off virus from the windows registry

  • Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

  • and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

hosts-redirect-virus

STEP 3 : Clean Cookies On-Off traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
  • Remove the Cookies On-Off by clicking on the little recycle bin
  • Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

disable Cookies On-Off from chrome

  • Open Mozilla Firefox

  • Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
  • Disable the unwanted Extension
  • Go to Help
  • Then Troubleshoot information
  • Click on Reset Firefox

remove Cookies On-Off from firefox

  • Open Internet Explorer

  • On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
  • Click on Internet options
  • go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
  • Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

remove Cookies On-Off from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Cookies On-Off

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Cookies On-Off, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

  • Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
  • go to Network and Internet
  • then Network and Sharing Center
  • then Change Adapter Settings
  • Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

  • Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

safebrowsing-biz-shortcut-removal

  • in the target field remove Cookies On-Off argument and then apply the changes.
  • Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
  • Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Cookies On-Off Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.

Leave a Comment