double underlined words that are linked to ads: malware
I've recently have double underlined words that are linked to ads coming up on a number of websites. Why isn't webroot detecting this malware
+62Hello nerf3,
Welcome to the Community Forum,
WSA does scan for malware, and SOME adware, but as most adware is not malicious WSA does not currently scan for all. If you are up to a bit of reading, please read on and I will explain a bit about Adware (We call them PUA's here).
Before you start reading, we suggest that you add an AdBlocker onto you browser extensions such as the following:
Adblock Edge for Firefox
Adguard AdBlocker for Chrome
Internet Explorer there is AdBlock Plus
Ok, here is that reading material. Please let us know if you have any questions!
PUA's (Potentially Unwanted Applications)
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Trouble Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge, and the additional examples may help to better automatic removal of that particular PUA for all users in the future.
To make sure that your WSA is checking for PUA's with the best proficiently, it sometimes helps to reset the PUA detection within WSA's settings. For PUA's that had previously been scanned and determined to be OK, but have since been added to detection/removal, you may want to complete the following steps:
I hope this helps you both understand, and resolve the problem and if not please let us know!
NOTE: As noted above, PUA's that:
are often NOT detected and removed. This is partly for legal reasons: the source of the download can complain about it's extra software being blocked automatically by Webroot. There may be to allow WSA to recognize and block a LOT more PUA's than it currently can. Please see THIS IDEA for more information, and give a KUDO if you agree. User Idea requests are noted by the Webroot Team, and the more Kudo's on an Idea the more likely we may see dev time devoted to it.
Best Regards,
Welcome to the Community Forum,
WSA does scan for malware, and SOME adware, but as most adware is not malicious WSA does not currently scan for all. If you are up to a bit of reading, please read on and I will explain a bit about Adware (We call them PUA's here).
Before you start reading, we suggest that you add an AdBlocker onto you browser extensions such as the following:
Adblock Edge for Firefox
Adguard AdBlocker for Chrome
Internet Explorer there is AdBlock Plus
Ok, here is that reading material. Please let us know if you have any questions!
PUA's (Potentially Unwanted Applications)
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Trouble Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge, and the additional examples may help to better automatic removal of that particular PUA for all users in the future.
To make sure that your WSA is checking for PUA's with the best proficiently, it sometimes helps to reset the PUA detection within WSA's settings. For PUA's that had previously been scanned and determined to be OK, but have since been added to detection/removal, you may want to complete the following steps:
- Open Webroot SecureAnywhere
- Click on ‘Advanced Settings’ from the top right
- Select ‘Scan Settings’ from the left side
- Unselect the option “Detect Potentially Unwanted Applications”
- Click on the Save button (you may have to enter in a CAPTCHA)
- Reselect the option to “Detect Potentially Unwanted Applications”
- Click on the Save button
- Run another scan with Webroot and remove any items that get detected.
I hope this helps you both understand, and resolve the problem and if not please let us know!
NOTE: As noted above, PUA's that:
- Come in with other downloads
- Have a clear opt out ability prior to install
are often NOT detected and removed. This is partly for legal reasons: the source of the download can complain about it's extra software being blocked automatically by Webroot. There may be to allow WSA to recognize and block a LOT more PUA's than it currently can. Please see THIS IDEA for more information, and give a KUDO if you agree. User Idea requests are noted by the Webroot Team, and the more Kudo's on an Idea the more likely we may see dev time devoted to it.
Best Regards,
IMac 2021 27 in i5 Retina 5, iMac OS Sequoia (15.7.2), Security: iPads, ALIENWARE 15 R6, W11 Microsoft Windows Workstation, x64, Webroot® SecureAnywhere™ Internet Security Complete, Android Samsung Galaxy Ultra Note 23, Webroot Beta Tester
Hey there :)
Do let us know how the adblocker that Sherry suggested works out. Just a note of my own: a local news site here often has those double underlined areas that target to ads: since I put in the ad blocker on Chrome those no longer appear, so hopefully you will find the same postive results 🙂
Do let us know how the adblocker that Sherry suggested works out. Just a note of my own: a local news site here often has those double underlined areas that target to ads: since I put in the ad blocker on Chrome those no longer appear, so hopefully you will find the same postive results 🙂
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