I wrote this article to help you remove Contentlikes1.com Virus. This Contentlikes1.com Virus removal guide works for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
If you are getting redirected to various websites through Contentlikes1.com, we must warn you that there is a rogue program in your system. This domain is used to exploit the web browser. The tool behind the unsolicited activity is adware. It has been created to raise proceeds. There are two main tasks on the agenda of the Contentlikes1.com adware. The name of this type of parasite reveals the concept behind it. Advertisements bring the majority of the proceeds. The shady tool displays ads to attract people’s attention and have them unknowingly contribute through their activity. The second monetizing technique does not require the user’s cooperation. However, it is still dependent on his actions. The Contentlikes1.com adware implements a tracking function which allows it to gather the information people enter into their web browser.
If you have never visited Contentlikes1.com, do not be surprised to discover the covert program on your system. The adware is not spread through the website. It enters computers using underhanded techniques known as dark patterns. The most common distribution method is bundling. The furtive program travels in merged setup files with other utilities, like freeware, shareware and pirated tools. The download client offers the additional program as a bonus. The default setting will be to have it installed. You have to find the option in the installation agreement and state otherwise. This is why experts advise to read the terms and conditions when processing new software.
Another common distribution technique is spam emails. The Contentlikes1.com adware can travel attached to an electronic letter. The sender will try to make it look genuine and get you to access the file. The bogus message can be on various topics, like a delivery package, a prize giveaway, a bill, a fine, a court hearing, etc. The attachment will be listed as an official document on the matter. If you access the file, the download and install of the adware will be prompted automatically. There is no room for mistakes or risks. You should do your research before following any instructions from an email. Check the account he has used to contact you. If the message has been written on behalf of a certain entity, he should have used an official account to represent the organization.
The Contentlikes1.com adware shows enticing shopping deals in the effort to acquire users’ interest. The covert tool promotes different items, including clothes, accessories, sports gear, technological devices, furniture, decorative elements, gardening equipment, toys, games and others. The adware is selective in the offers. It takes notes on users’ browsing preferences and their online purchases. The listings are chosen accordingly. There is a certain diversity in the presentation, as the rogue program displays different types of ads. This includes banners, coupon boxes, in-text links, freebies, floating, inline, transitional, contextual, interstitial and comparison ads. In addition, the adware decorates the windows with bright color schemes, flash animations, cursive fonts and other aesthetic effects.
Not all content is brought in the form of ads which you can choose to follow or avoid. The sinister program will redirect you during your browsing sessions. When a redirect starts loading, check the URL in your address bar. If it begins with Contentlikes1.com, you will know for sure that you have contacted this particular adware program. The proprietors of the obscure program make revenue by taking people to supported websites. They get paid by online advertisers. The monetizing technique used is called the pay-per-click system. The more pages they take you to, the more money they will make. Since users do not pay to receive ads, their safety is not regarded as a priority. The sponsored websites are risky. They are not confirmed to be secure.
The other risk around the Contentlikes1.com adware is on an even higher level. The rogue program collects information from the web browser for the purpose of selling it. The following input can be recorded: browsing history, IP address, geographic location, tracking cookies, keystrokes, physical address, area code, email account, telephone number, user names and passwords. The owners of the adware can sell your private input without asking for your permission or notifying you. They trade information on darknet markets. Your sensitive details could fall into the hands of cyber criminals.
Contentlikes1.com Virus Removal
Before starting the real removal process, you must reboot in Safe Mode. If you are familiar with this task, skip the instructions below and proceed to Step 2. If you do not know how to do it, here is how to reboot in Safe mode:
For Windows 98, XP, Millenium and 7:
Reboot your computer. When the first screen of information appears, start repeatedly pressing F8 key. Then choose Safe Mode With Networking from the options.
For Windows 8/8.1
Click the Start button, next click Control Panel —> System and Security —> Administrative Tools —> System Configuration.
Check the Safe Boot option and click OK. Click Restart when asked.
For Windows 10
Open the Start menu and click or tap on the Power button.
While keeping the Shift key pressed, click or tap on Restart.
Here are the steps you must perform to remove the hijacker from the browser:
Remove From Mozilla Firefox:
Open Firefox, click on top-right corner , click Add-ons, hit Extensions next.
Look for suspicious or unknown extensions, remove them all.
Remove From Chrome:
Open Chrome, click chrome menu icon at the top-right corner —>More Tools —> Extensions. There, identify the malware and select chrome-trash-icon(Remove).
Remove From Internet Explorer:
Open IE, then click IE gear icon on the top-right corner —> Manage Add-ons.
Find the malicious add-on. Remove it by pressing Disable.
Right click on the browser’s shortcut, then click Properties. Remove everything after the .exe” in the Target box.
Open Control Panel by holding the Win Key and R together. Write appwiz.cpl in the field, then click OK.
Here, find any program you had no intention to install and uninstall it.
Run the Task Manager by right clicking on the Taskbar and choosing Start Task Manager.
Look carefully at the file names and descriptions of the running processes. If you find any suspicious one, search on Google for its name, or contact me directly to identify it. If you find a malware process, right-click on it and choose End task.
Open MS Config by holding the Win Key and R together. Type msconfig and hit Enter.
Go in the Startup tab and Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.
Still can not remove Contentlikes1.com Virus from your browser? Please, leave a comment below, describing what steps you performed. I will answer promptly.