So, something called "DNS Unlocker" has attached its ugly self somewhere in my computer! I went to programs and found it and "uninstalled" it but it is still there and covers everything with pop-up ads and also when I try to click on something that doesn't have ads it brings ads up onto the screen.
I am so completely over this and frustrated to no end! No AntiVirus (including Webroot) nor AntiMaleware has helped as I have tried a few free ones (windows defender, malewarebytes) and then purchased webroot and run scan after scan after scan!!! Nothing comes up and DNS Unlocker still exists.
Anyone out there have any idea how to get this off my computer once and for all??? I have Windows 10...
Thanks!!!
DNS Unlocker ***HELP***
+62Hello ?,
Welcom e to the Webroot Community,
DNS Unlocker is an adware program, that displays pop-up ads and advertisements on web pages that you visit. The “Ads by DNS Unlocker” advertisements will be shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners.
What you are seeing and describing sounds like it may be what we on the Community refer to as a PUA. (Potentially Unwanted Application) 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.
Hope this helps?
Welcom e to the Webroot Community,
DNS Unlocker is an adware program, that displays pop-up ads and advertisements on web pages that you visit. The “Ads by DNS Unlocker” advertisements will be shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners.
What you are seeing and describing sounds like it may be what we on the Community refer to as a PUA. (Potentially Unwanted Application) 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.
Hope this helps?
IMac 2021 27 in i5 Retina 5, iMac OS Sequoia (15.7.3), Security: iPads, ALIENWARE 15 R6, W11 Microsoft Windows Workstation, x64, Webroot® SecureAnywhere™ Internet Security Complete, Android Samsung Galaxy Ultra Note 23, Webroot Beta Tester
Hi hayfam5
Welcome to the Community Forums.
If I may just add to what Sherry has advised...in the case of this particular PUA do not try to handle it yourself as it makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts. This is so that it can check to see if it is running/whether it has been disabled, and if it fids that the latter is the case then it will re-enable itself.
So your best option is to go straight for the Support Ticket route suggested by Sherry.
Regards, Baldrick
Welcome to the Community Forums.
If I may just add to what Sherry has advised...in the case of this particular PUA do not try to handle it yourself as it makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts. This is so that it can check to see if it is running/whether it has been disabled, and if it fids that the latter is the case then it will re-enable itself.
So your best option is to go straight for the Support Ticket route suggested by Sherry.
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
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