| Name | DNS Unblocker |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | The application may generate advertisements in the browser – banners, pop-ups, in-text ads. |
| Symptoms | Advertisements with text similar to ‘Ads by DNS Unblocker’. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, shareware download pages. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By DNS Unblocker |
Similar to DNS Unlocker, DNS Unblocker is yet another adware pretending to provide a useful service to the user. However, reports have recently increased about DNS Unblocker displaying advertised content in an annoying manner. In case you see intrusive pop-ups with an indicating text, similar to ‘By DNS Unblocker’, ‘Ads by DNS Unblocker’ and similar, there is a good chance that you may have installed this unwanted program (PUP) on your machine. Cyber-defence experts regard such applications as indirectly dangerous to the computer due to their cooperation with suspicious third-parties.
DNS Unblocker-How Did I Get It?
There are several methods of distribution that this particular program may use to spread massively on user PCs, and they are all very effective. One of them is by clicking on a pop-up, leading to a download page that immediately downloads it. Another is by experiencing a browser redirect. This can happen if you have a browser hijacker that causes such redirects. One of the most successful methods of spreading of PUPs, however, is the bundling strategy. It involves the insertion of apps, such as DNS Unblocker in the setup programs of third-party downloaded freeware. This could be your favorite media player, file converter, youtube downloader and other applications downloaded not from their sites, but from general software third-party websites. The strategy is done for marketing purposes, and it may or may not include a step with opt-in boxes or agreement buttons, including something similar to ‘Include DNS Unblocker as a free extra…’.
In some cases, the app may be mentioned in the EULA agreement that the bigger percentage of users tend not to read. A good way to counter this is if you use EULA reading apps that will look for any specific keywords in the EULA and alert you, like EULAlyzer for example.
DNS Unblocker – What Does It Do?
This suspicious program may situate itself either as an extension in your Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer browsers or as a program on your PC. Once installed it may begin to deploy different tracking technologies on your computer:
- Browsing cookies.
- Beacons.
- Pixels.
- Flash Cookies (Local Shared Objects)
These and other types of cookies aim to be a part of what is called ‘behavioral advertising.’ The developers of DNS Unlocker may use such strategy to determine which websites you visit, where you click, what you search and other information. This is done to display advertisements based on your interests and, therefore, make you click on them.
What is risky in this situation are the sources of the advertisements – they may be dangerous third-party sites of unknown origin. Such sites may represent high risk for the user in several ways:
- Infect the computer with malware (Ransomware Trojans, Trojan.Monitor, Trojan.Downloader, Trojan.Remote, worms, viruses, malicious scripts and others).
- Make the user download a riskware fake antivirus that is actually a virus that blocks out the files. The purpose of this is scaring the user by displaying him ‘Virus Detected!’ types of messages and either providing customer support numbers to ‘experts’ or prompting him to upgrade to the full version by paying.
- Display fake tech support messages with phone numbers that are one element of a sophisticated social engineering (soc eng) attack to make the user give away his information one way or another. Some users even report being subscribed to a fake SMS service that drained their money from their phone by automatically sending out messages.
- Trick the user into filling out fake registration forms, thus giving away his personal information. This is done via false promises of product trials or price claims of fraudulent origin.
- Rope the user into giving away his financial information and drain his credit card, using fake shopping websites with non-existent products.
These are the main reasons why experts consider such PUPs unsafe in general. Antivirus programs consider them a low-level type of threat since they are essentially non-malware. But there are advanced anti-malware programs that are programmed to deal with such kinds of threats on your computer.
How To Remove DNS Unblocker?
One of the best ways to get rid of is by going offline and manually uninstalling it. To do this first:
- Disconnect your equipment from the web.
- Follow the step-by-step removal guide below.
Also, bear in mind that you may have other PUPs which are installed unknowingly. DNS Unblocker may leave leftover files in some relevant directories, like %temp% or %appdata%. It may also leave modified settings of your PC in the form of registry keys and values in the Microsoft Registry Editor. These are believed to be highly unwanted and may even prevent you from removing apps like DNS Unblocker in some situations. This is why it is highly recommended to download a regularly updating anti-malware, featuring an active shield. This way it will not only detect all files, associated with DNS Unblocker, but it will also prevent any further PUPs or malware to penetrate your machine.
1. Remove/Uninstall DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker.
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2. Remove DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker and click “Remove”
After DNS Unblocker is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall DNS Unblocker. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the DNS Unblocker will be removed.
3. Use an advanced anti-malware program to scan your computer for any left-over objects such as registry entries and other files after uninstall.
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 DNS Unblocker associated objects.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove DNS Unblocker from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for DNS Unblocker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker (Windows).
Get rid of DNS Unblocker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker. 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DNS Unblocker, 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 DNS Unblocker (Mac)
Remove DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker will be removed.
Eliminate DNS Unblocker 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".
DNS Unblocker-FAQ
What Is DNS Unblocker?
The DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker?
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 DNS Unblocker?
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 DNS Unblocker Work?
Once installed, DNS Unblocker 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.
DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DNS Unblocker 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 DNS Unblocker?
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 DNS Unblocker threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.