If your browser is constantly throwing pop-ups from Clickpunch.icu, asking you to “Allow notifications” or to pass some shady “robot verification”, you are very likely dealing with the so-called Clickpunch.icu Pop-ups Virus. This is a shady website that may push various sorts of notifications and even slither push notifications via fake robot CAPTCHA identifications, abusing your browser’s built-in push system to bombard you with ads, scams and redirects. Read this article to find out what Clickpunch.icu really is, how it ended up in your browser, what risks it creates for your data and device, and which removal steps you should follow to get rid of Clickpunch.icu pop-ups for good.
What is Clickpunch.icu Pop-ups Virus?
Clickpunch.icu is a questionable domain used primarily to generate intrusive browser notifications and malicious advertising. It is not a classic file-infecting virus, but it behaves like a browser-based adware and notification spam threat. Once the site obtains permission to send notifications, it can deliver an endless stream of push messages right to your desktop or mobile notification area, regardless of which page you are actually visiting.
The typical pattern is always similar: Clickpunch.icu opens in a new tab or window and immediately shows an overlay with a fake message such as “Click Allow to verify you are not a robot”, “Click Allow to continue” or “Press Allow to play the video”. This is presented as a CAPTCHA or anti-bot check, but in reality the only thing you “verify” is that you are willing to subscribe to its push notifications.
Clickpunch.icu Short Overview
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUA |
| Short Description | A suspicious website and rogue search engine that hijacks your browsers and causes redirects. |
| Symptoms | Unwanted pop-ups may start appearing while you are browsing the web. A browser hijacker may be downloaded without your knowledge. |
| Removal Time | Approximately 15 minutes for a full-system scan |
| Removal Tool |
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Fake robot CAPTCHA and social engineering
The fake robot CAPTCHA tactic used by Clickpunch.icu is a pure social engineering trick. The page usually displays a robot icon, a “I am not a robot” text and a single instruction – to click the browser’s notification Allow button. There is no real CAPTCHA challenge, no image recognition and no text to type. The so-called verification does nothing other than:
- Grant Clickpunch.icu permission to send push notifications to your browser.
- Bypass your normal suspicion by disguising the action as a security step.
- Turn your browser into a delivery channel for ads, scams and malicious redirects.
Because the trick closely mimics legitimate “I am not a robot” checks, many users accept the request without reading what the browser dialog actually says. That single click is enough to activate the Clickpunch.icu pop-ups virus behavior.
Why Clickpunch.icu is considered a threat
Strictly speaking, Clickpunch.icu is “just a web page”, but in practice it is part of a larger malvertising and PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) ecosystem. Security researchers and removal guides categorize it as a threat because:
- It uses deceptive messages and fake robot verification overlays to obtain permissions.
- It abuses the notification mechanism for aggressive advertising and scam campaigns.
- It is commonly reached through malicious redirects, adware or other shady websites.
- It often leads to pages that distribute unwanted software and, in some cases, outright malware.
For end users, the distinction between a “real” virus and a browser-based threat is irrelevant: the result is the same – the system becomes flooded with pop-ups, scams and risky content.
How Did I Get Clickpunch.icu Pop-ups Virus?
Most victims do not intentionally visit Clickpunch.icu by typing the address in the browser. Instead, they are redirected there as part of an advertising chain or due to unwanted software already present on the system. Understanding how this happens helps you avoid similar issues in the future.
Malicious redirects from high-risk websites
The most common cause of seeing Clickpunch.icu pop-ups is exposure to high-risk websites that rely on aggressive, low-quality advertising networks. These may include:
- Free movie and sports streaming platforms that load multiple advertising layers.
- Sites offering cracks, keygens, pirated games or software activators.
- Adult portals, online casinos and betting sites that monetize via pop-under ads.
- Compromised legitimate websites that have malicious JavaScript injected into them.
On such platforms, a single click on a “Play”, “Download” or even blank area of the page can trigger one or more redirects. One of those redirects may end up on Clickpunch.icu, where you are greeted with the fake robot CAPTCHA and pushed to allow notifications.
Bundled adware and potentially unwanted programs
Another frequent reason for persistent Clickpunch.icu pop-ups is the presence of adware or PUPs on the machine. These programs are usually installed as extras in freeware bundles or unofficial installers. Once active, they can:
- Open new tabs or windows automatically in your default browser.
- Inject advertising scripts into visited pages, forcing redirects to Clickpunch.icu.
- Change your default homepage or search engine to ad-heavy portals that further redirect to rogue domains.
If you notice that Clickpunch.icu appears every time you start the browser or even when you are not actively browsing, there is a strong chance an unwanted program or malicious extension is triggering those visits in the background.
Risky notification and installation habits
Clickpunch.icu also takes advantage of common user mistakes and unsafe habits, for example:
- Clicking “Allow” on notification prompts without reading the text, thinking it is mandatory.
- Using default or “Express” installation settings that silently add toolbars, extensions and adware.
- Downloading applications from third-party portals and file-sharing sites instead of the vendor’s page.
- Ignoring browser and OS security warnings about insecure or deceptive pages.
Combined, these practices create a perfect environment for Clickpunch.icu and similar notification-spam websites to gain a foothold and begin abusing your system.
What Does Clickpunch.icu Pop-ups Virus Do?
Once you have clicked “Allow” on the Clickpunch.icu prompt, the domain is authorized to send notifications in your name. From that moment on, the operators behind Clickpunch.icu can use this permission to deliver a wide range of intrusive content that appears as system-level messages.
Typical symptoms and behavior
The most obvious symptom of Clickpunch.icu pop-ups virus is a constant stream of notifications appearing in the corner of your screen (on desktop) or in the notification shade (on mobile). These messages may:
- Claim that your system is infected, outdated or at high risk.
- Promote fake security tools, registry cleaners or “driver update” utilities.
- Advertise adult content, dating sites or online gambling platforms.
- Announce fake lottery wins, gifts, coupons or time-limited offers.
- Invite you to install suspicious browser extensions or mobile apps.
Every notification is designed as a lure: its purpose is to get you to click on it. Clicking typically opens a new tab with a landing page aligned with the ad or scam promoted in the notification.
Security and privacy risks
Clickpunch.icu itself may not directly infect your device with malware, but it acts as a gateway to more serious threats. The pages it promotes through notifications and redirects can:
- Host malicious scripts or exploit kits that attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in your browser or plugins.
- Offer software bundles containing trojans, spyware, ransomware or additional adware.
- Imitate login screens for email services, social networks or banking sites in order to steal credentials.
- Collect personal information through fake surveys, prize forms or support chats.
In addition, many of the advertising networks involved in such campaigns heavily track users. Third-party scripts can log your IP address, approximate location, browser details and browsing habits. Over time, this data can be used to create a detailed profile and target you with more personalized – and sometimes more convincing – scams.
Impact on performance and user experience
Even if you manage to avoid installing malware or falling for scams, Clickpunch.icu pop-ups virus significantly degrades your daily computing experience:
- Repeated notifications and auto-opened tabs consume CPU, RAM and bandwidth.
- The browser may become slow, laggy or unresponsive due to constant background ad loading.
- Pop-ups can cover important areas of the screen, interrupting work, gaming or streaming sessions.
- On shared or corporate devices, inappropriate ads (adult, gambling, etc.) can cause compliance and HR issues.
This constant harassment is why many users feel “infected” even if no classical virus is present on the system. Fortunately, you can stop this behavior by revoking permissions and cleaning up components associated with Clickpunch.icu.
How to Remove It
To effectively remove the Clickpunch.icu pop-ups virus, you must address both the browser-level settings (notification permissions, extensions) and any system-level adware or PUPs that might be causing repeated redirects. Below is a high-level overview of the removal process. For concrete, click-by-click instructions, refer to the detailed removal guide section located beneath this article.
Step 1: Disable Clickpunch.icu notifications in all browsers
The first and most critical step is to revoke the notification permission that Clickpunch.icu is abusing. Every modern browser has a section where site-specific notification rights can be managed. In general, you should:
- Open your browser’s Settings or Preferences panel.
- Navigate to the Privacy & Security or Site Settings area.
- Look for the Notifications subsection that lists websites allowed to send push messages.
- Locate Clickpunch.icu in the list and set it to Block or remove it entirely.
- At the same time, remove other unknown or suspicious domains that you do not recognize or need.
After this, Clickpunch.icu will no longer be able to push new notifications. However, if adware or malicious extensions are present, they may still attempt to open the site again or subscribe you to similar domains, so further cleaning is required.
Step 2: Uninstall adware and suspicious extensions
Next, you should carefully inspect your system and browsers for components that may be feeding Clickpunch.icu and other rogue sites:
- On Windows/macOS: Open the installed programs list and remove unfamiliar, recently added or clearly unwanted software (free “optimizers”, “speed boosters”, strange toolbars, etc.).
- In desktop browsers: Check the extensions/add-ons section and delete any plug-ins you do not explicitly trust, particularly those related to coupons, video downloaders, search enhancers or security scanners you never asked for.
- On Android: Review installed apps in the system settings and uninstall shady or redundant applications, especially those side-loaded from outside the official store.
For an additional layer of assurance, you can run a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware solution capable of detecting adware, browser hijackers and PUPs. This helps uncover hidden components that might not be visible in standard program lists.
Step 3: Reset browsers and clear leftover data
If Clickpunch.icu has been bothering you for a while, your browsers may contain various settings and cached data left behind by redirects and scripts. To eliminate these leftovers, consider performing a browser reset. This process typically:
- Restores the default homepage, new tab page and search provider.
- Disables or removes all extensions (which you can later re-enable selectively if needed).
- Clears cookies, cached files and site-specific settings associated with rogue domains.
After resetting, revisit your browser’s notification settings once again to ensure Clickpunch.icu and other suspicious entries are still blocked or removed. Then, configure your browser according to your preferences, reinstalling only trusted extensions.
Step 4: Harden your browser and system against similar threats
Finally, preventing a repeat of the Clickpunch.icu pop-ups virus incident requires some straightforward but important changes in your everyday usage:
- Set notifications to “Ask before sending” and refuse permission for any site that does not absolutely need it.
- Avoid pirated content, crack sites and other high-risk platforms that are notorious for malicious advertising.
- Always choose Custom or Advanced installation modes and deselect optional bundled offers.
- Keep your browser, operating system and security software fully updated with the latest patches.
- Regularly review installed extensions, apps and notification permissions to purge anything unnecessary.
These hardening steps will not only protect you from Clickpunch.icu, but also from many other similar notification-spam and adware campaigns.
What should you do?
If Clickpunch.icu pop-ups are currently appearing on your screen, treat them as a strong signal that your browser permissions and possibly your system have been abused. Do not interact with any ads, fake robot checks, update prompts or prize offers delivered through Clickpunch.icu. Instead, immediately disable its notifications in all affected browsers, remove suspicious programs and extensions, and reset compromised browser settings. After that, follow the detailed Clickpunch.icu removal steps in the paragraph below this article to fully clean your device and restore a safe, distraction-free browsing experience.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Clickpunch.icu from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Clickpunch.icu with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Clickpunch.icu and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Clickpunch.icu on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Clickpunch.icu there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Clickpunch.icu (Windows).
Get rid of Clickpunch.icu from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Clickpunch.icu and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Clickpunch.icu. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Clickpunch.icu via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Clickpunch.icu files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Clickpunch.icu, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Clickpunch.icu (Mac)
Remove Clickpunch.icu from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Clickpunch.icu from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Clickpunch.icu from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Clickpunch.icu from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Clickpunch.icu will be removed.
Eliminate Clickpunch.icu from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Clickpunch.icu-FAQ
What Is Clickpunch.icu?
The Clickpunch.icu threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Clickpunch.icu?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Clickpunch.icu?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Clickpunch.icu Work?
Once installed, Clickpunch.icu can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Clickpunch.icu can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Clickpunch.icu Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Clickpunch.icu Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Clickpunch.icu how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Clickpunch.icu?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Clickpunch.icu threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.