So I'm not sure if this is a new virus or form of malware but it is annoying. Webroot nor Malwarebytes can find it. So far I have tried uninstalling whatever programs that I have previously downloaded, even undid my adblocker things on chrome to see if ti went away. Thankfully webroot keeps me from the websites it tries to send me to but I'd really like it gone. How can I stop this program from opening the mulitple tabs on chrome at random times? Is there a particular name it hides under that I'm not seeing or is it not a virus or malware at all?
Thanks for your time and patience,
Pantherdor
tradeadexchange potential virus?
Hi Pantherdor
Welcome to the Community Forums.
TradeAdExchange.com, to give it its proper name. appears to be relatively new, from the research I have done, and the good news is that it is not a virus but rather a non malware apllication that we in the Community term a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour 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.
In the case of TradeAdExchange.com, we are looking at an advertising platform that is used to promote dubious advertisements and generate internet traffic for specific products and websites so as to generate revenue. It is due to some of its features like redirecting computer users, displaying unwanted pop-up ads, that it is classed as a PUA.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
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 behaviour 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.
From what I can tell this PUA is relatively new and therefore that may explain why it is not being picked up either WSA (bearing in mind what was stated in the Webroot stance of this type of program) or Malwarebyte.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system. They are generic in nature and so may not find all elements of the PUA.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope that this helps somewhat in responding to your issue? Please let us know how you get on and what Support advise/do to assist you should you open the Support Ticket.
Regards, Baldrick
Welcome to the Community Forums.
TradeAdExchange.com, to give it its proper name. appears to be relatively new, from the research I have done, and the good news is that it is not a virus but rather a non malware apllication that we in the Community term a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour 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.
In the case of TradeAdExchange.com, we are looking at an advertising platform that is used to promote dubious advertisements and generate internet traffic for specific products and websites so as to generate revenue. It is due to some of its features like redirecting computer users, displaying unwanted pop-up ads, that it is classed as a PUA.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
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 behaviour 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.
From what I can tell this PUA is relatively new and therefore that may explain why it is not being picked up either WSA (bearing in mind what was stated in the Webroot stance of this type of program) or Malwarebyte.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system. They are generic in nature and so may not find all elements of the PUA.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope that this helps somewhat in responding to your issue? Please let us know how you get on and what Support advise/do to assist you should you open the Support Ticket.
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
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