RunBooster ads

RunBooster is a redirect virus that spam users’ browsers with unwanted advertisements

RunBooster virus is persistent adware ^[1] that takes over web browsers and delivers hyperlinks and sponsored pop-up ads ^[2] in order to generate revenue for its creators. Typically, such programs make their way on the computers without asking for direct permission, so users of the infected systems typically have no idea where these disruptions are coming from.

Seeing RunBooster ads featuring slogans like “As by Not Set” or “Ad by Advertiser” on random web pages should immediately signal that a potentially unwanted program has invaded your machine, and browsing the internet might be potentially unsafe. RunBooster adware may bring users to insecure websites where they could get infected with malware, and might also cause privacy issues due to browsing information data tracking practiced by this PUP.

Previously labeled as “spyware,” apps like RunBooster slowly gained the status of a “potentially unwanted program” or “not-a-virus.” Despite that, many security researchers are constantly trying to warn users about the dangers of such software, and others also urge it to be called for what it is – malware. Unfortunately, the definition of adware is relatively obscure, as there are plenty of applications that show ads without exposing users to online threats.

That being said, ads by RunBooster belong to the former category and might lead users tech support scams, phishing, spoofing, and other dangerous websites. As a general rule, it is highly unlikely to get infected by malware automatically after a RunBooster redirect, although it is plausible if your browser or other software installed on the system is not fully patched and protected from vulnerabilities.^[3]

Nevertheless, indirect threats like tech support scam sites can cause significant damage to those that are not that computer savvy. There are plenty of unfair individuals who create these pages in order to fool users and extort money from them by claiming that their computers are infected with malware.

However, the culprit that brings them to these sites is adware – such as RunBooster virus. The exploited users may end up paying for useless and fake services provided by scammers, get their machine infected with malware, or provide sensitive personal information to crooks, such as credit card details.

RunBooster is a potentially unwanted program that displays intrusive ads on sites that you visit

To understand how to remove RunBooster ads and redirects, you need to first understand how it works. Upon unsolicited installation, the PUP will change the settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, or another browser, which will alter the way they operate. For example, the search engine might be changed, new homepage set to something never-seen-before, and the new tab functionality altered.

Additionally, some changes might not be as apparent, as the fine print text “Ads by RunBooster” can often be missed, and sponsored links clicked immediately as they appear at the top of the results. Besides, adware usually applies cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to gather browsing-related data, included, but not limited to:

• IP address
• Internet Service Provider
• Technical device details
• Browser information
• Links clicked and sites visited
• Timestamp of visits, etc.

In some rare cases, adware may also harvest your personal information and direct it to unknown parties.

To conclude, if you see ads on every site that you visit and the sponsored links marked as “Ads by RunBooster” plague your search results, you should proceed with RunBooster removal immediately. For that, you can apply the steps provided in our manual guide below or scan the computer with reputable anti-malware. Finally, industry experts recommend resetting the installed browsers and using Reimage Reimage Cleaner to repair issues that may arise due to adware or malware.

Adware delivery methods include deception

RunBooster ads may be delivered to the computer via repacked software bundles ^[4]. In particular, adware developers choose freeware or shareware to carry the malware around since there are numerous websites that promote free software and receive thousands of downloads.

Unfortunately, most users that download these programs are rather negligent about their installation and rush through this process, randomly clicking the “Next” button and skipping all of the additional steps that come in between. Choosing advanced installation, on the other hand, can help prevent RunBooster infiltration. Just follow the installation steps attentively and opt-out undesirable components manually.

RunBooster changes the web browser settings in order to display advertisements and track their online activities

Additionally, it is worth noticing that PUPs may also be installed on other deceptive ways, such as fake updates or scams. To avoid that, you should never trust sites that claim that you need to install Flash to view its contents (it might have been a case 20 years ago, but things long changed since then and Flash Player is-soon-to-be-terminated software)^[5] or that your computer is infected with viruses. Note that only a scan with a powerful anti-malware software can confirm or deny the malware infection on your computer.

RunBooster adware removal

Though malware termination has always been something that intimidated the less experienced users, no mystery actually surrounds this process. There are two comprehensible and straightforward ways to remove RunBooster virus from the computer. One of them, the manual one, is described in a guide below. If you are aiming towards faster virus elimination, however, we suggest leaving it all to the professional antivirus software to take care of.

However, don’t forget that RunBooster removal might not be fully implemented unless you reset all the installed web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and others. This is needed to reset the pre-set settings of the PUP, as the unwanted advertisements might continue, even if the unwanted app is removed.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Get rid of RunBooster from Windows systems

You can remove RunBooster from your computer manually. To achieve that, you should closely follow the instructions prepared by our experts below.

1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
2. Uninstall RunBooster and related programs
   Here, look for RunBooster or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
3. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.

Remove RunBooster from Mac OS X system

In case RunBooster is flooding your Mac browsers with ads, and you cannot remove the virus manually, follow these instructions here:

1. If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
2. Wait until you see Applications folder and look for RunBooster or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.

Uninstall RunBooster from Internet Explorer (IE)

RunBooster may secretly install some undesirable software on your computer and your browsers. You should clean up the browsers before you can use them properly. Here is how it is done:

1. Remove dangerous add-ons
   Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
2. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for RunBooster and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab.
4. Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
5. Reset Internet Explorer
   Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab.
6. Here, select Reset.
7. When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete RunBooster removal.

Delete RunBooster ads from Microsoft Edge

To free your Edge browser from RunBooster ads, delete all the unfamiliar extensions, and reset the browser.

Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):

1. Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
2. Click Settings to open more options.
3. Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
4. Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
5. Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
6. When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
7. Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
8. When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.

Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):

If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.

1. Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
2. Find this folder on your computer: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
3. Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
4. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
5. Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
6. Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
   

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}

   

Once these steps are finished, RunBooster should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.

Eliminate RunBooster from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

To properly use your Mozilla Firefox after the RunBooster elimination, you should rest the browser to its default settings. You will learn how to do that below.

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
2. Here, select RunBooster and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
3. Reset Mozilla Firefox
   Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
4. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete RunBooster removal.

Erase RunBooster from Google Chrome

Clean your Chrome browser from add-ons and extensions related to RunBooster and then reset your browser like so.

1. Delete malicious plugins
   Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
2. Here, select RunBooster and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
3. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
4. When in Search Engines…, remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
5. Reset Google Chrome
   Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
6. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
7. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete RunBooster removal.

Get rid of RunBooster from Safari

To remove RunBooster ads from your Safari browser check out these steps:

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
2. Here, select Extensions and look for RunBooster or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
3. Reset Safari
   Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari….
4. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete RunBooster removal process.