| Name | DesktopClock Ads |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | It is advertised as a program that allows the user to switch between various clocks. |
| Symptoms | Ad-sponsored content is generated and personal information obtained. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, unsafe browsing, its website. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By DesktopClock Ads |
DesktopClock is another ad-supported application that collects personal information from users and administers different forms of advertised content. This Potentially Unwanted Program can be obtained in various ways, and it originally serves as a program that allows the user to switch between the various clocks, depending on what he prefers (digital, analogue, etc.). Security researchers consider ad-supported applications indirectly unsafe because of the third-party sites that may sometimes be advertised. This is why they advise for their removal.
How Did I Get DesktopClock?
The program can be downloaded directly from their website, in case you clicked on an online advertisement in Facebook or anywhere else. More to it, it can be bundled, i.e. inserted in the installers of other programs, like your favorite media player, torrent downloader, video converter, etc. Some third-party software offering sites bundled apps like DesktopClock to get users to install them as a marketing strategy for profit. They are usually offered as ‘extras’ during the installation process of the app, and they slip in by taking advantage of the ‘fast-clicking syndrome’ in most users.
DesktopClock – What Effect Does It Have on My PC?
Once run, this particular app may begin to aggregate user information, as mentioned in their privacy policy:
More to it than that the developers claim that they may share certain customer data with third parties for different purposes:
To collect information, the app employs several different technologies. Some of them may be an active .exe process that directly receives browser data, cookies, beacons, pixels, local shared objects and other tracking technologies. This information gives the software power to administer targeted advertisements to users, making money from them by pay-per-click schemes and affiliate marketing strategies. To put in perspective, imagine you are looking for a case for your phone for the past two weeks. The software collects your browsing history and clicks and determines that to begin displaying you advertised content connected with phone cases for the model you are looking for. Yes, it is that accurate.
More to it than that, the software may slow the PC down and modify individual settings that may or may not allow it to run actively at all times and start when the system boots. DesktopClock is a safe program, but experts consider such ad-supported applications indirectly dangerous to users due to the third-party sites they advertise. Some of those sites may either scam users out of their money using different fraudulent sites, steal user information via such or install malware on the user PC.
DesktopClock Removal Manual
In case you are wondering how to remove DesktopClock from your computer, you should follow the steps in the removal manual below. Also, it is highly recommended to install a professional anti-malware program, which will assist you in detecting any out of the ordinary objects that are potentially unwanted and protect you from malware as well.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall DesktopClock Ads in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall DesktopClock Ads.
Step 2: Remove DesktopClock Ads from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select DesktopClock Ads and click “Remove”
After DesktopClock Ads is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select DesktopClock Ads to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After DesktopClock Ads has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on DesktopClock Ads
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall DesktopClock Ads. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the DesktopClock Ads will be removed.
Step 3: Remove DesktopClock Ads automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all DesktopClock Ads associated objects.
