This article aims to explain to you what is the unwanted program called DNS Unlocker, show you how to remove it from your computer and stop “Ads by DNS Unlocker” from appearing.
A questionable application called DNS Unlocker is reported to be installed bundled with other programs, such as free converters, image processing software, video players, etc. It is classified by others as adware and PUP since it may have been displaying various intrusive pop-up advertisements on key places during browsing. It is advisable not to mix it with a VPN service, because while the VPN service is suitable for browsing in different countries, this software could be potentially malicious. Furthermore, similar to another PUP, DNS Unblocker, DNS Unlocker may affect the system’s overall performance.
Threat Summary
| Name | DNS Unlocker |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | DNS Unlocker is promoted as an application that improves the user’s online experience. |
| Symptoms | Runs suspicious background process – dnspalenville.exe. PC Slowdowns. Intrusive advertised content. |
| Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), or from its official website and shareware pages. Possible via redirects to such pages. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to see discuss DNS Unlocker. |
DNS Unlocker – Update August 2018
Active campaigns continue to spread the undesired program DNS Unlocker. Various programs such as system optimizers, torrent downloading software, media players and other helper software all of which are provided for free download by third-party websites are detected to distribute the PUP in their installation setups.
What Are DNS Unlocker Distribution Paths?
The most often case of installing DNS Unlocker on a system is not paying enough attention when following the steps of software setups. The undesired program could be incorporated in the steps of many free apps by being masked as a free extra. And if you rush through the installation process of such apps you may unintentionally “accept” the installation of DNS Unlocker. To prevent such side effect you should always look for and choose the Advanced or Custom configuration steps presented in the installers. Once you access the information presented there you should read it carefully and decide wisely how to proceed further. In case that you find some undesired elements that are set to install try to find a way to unmark them before you proceed with the installation of the desired software.
But this is not the only way for DNS Unlocker to enter your computer. The DNS Unlocker program may also be downloaded from its own website or additional websites that advertise it as a helpful tool. However, it is less likely that the PUP landed on your system after an initiated installation.
What Does DNS Unlocker Do?
Once already located on a system, it is reported that DNS Unlocker may target all of the supported browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer). Once it ‘hijacks’ your browser, it will begin to display a lot of advertisements with the text “Ads By DNS Unlocker”, reports say. It is highly recommended to take extreme caution with those “Ads”, since there is a chance that some of the content might be fraudulent and to some extent, may even pose dangers to the PC.
More importantly, DNS Unlocker claims to utilize the user’s domain name service adding foreign DNS addresses. The effect of this is similar to proxies and VPN services. However, do not be fooled by the flashy ads on their website. By using DNS unlocker, you may not be able to access foreign services which apparently is quite the opposite of what it promises. Except the displaying of various types of advertised content, DNS Unlocker may collect anonymous information from the user, as mentioned in their privacy policy:
As seen, DNS Unlocker may closely cooperate with third-parties. Adware apps, like this one, usually do this to profit from the pay-per-click money making schemes via generating traffic or affiliate marketing. This is the main reason why DNS Unlocker may be a dangerous program. Not only does the app cause PC slowdowns and collects anonymous info, but it also displays third party advertisements. And we all know that third-party sites may be of any origin, including the malvertising kind. The malicious third-party site types may vary:
- Conning the user out of his personal info by fake prize claiming forms and other registration forms.
- Trick the user into giving out his financial information and lose funds by buying a product using a fraudulent online shopping website.
- Convince the user to call non-existent customer support numbers belonging to ghost companies charging him a lot of funds for a simple call.
- Subscribe him to expensive SMS services that generate income by automatically sending messages from his phone.
- Infect the computer with all types of malware, including worms that scramble data, Trojans, viruses, keyloggers and ransomware Trojans that encrypt user data to extort him for money.
The DNS Unlocker Process DNSPalenville.exe
This process is closely associated with DNS Unlocker, and experts recommend its immediate ending from the task manager. The suspicious process is detected as WS.Reputation1 when analyzed by VirusTotal.com and it is believed to be around 536 kilobytes in size. There is a possibility that this type of detection may be associated with other executable files in other adware applications. DNSPallenville.exe may collect different browsing information directly from Chrome, Firefox, Mozilla, Safari, Edge and other widely used web browsers. It also may slow down your computer and is also believed by security experts to administer advertised content in an interruptive manner and sometimes cause applications to turn into a ‘Not Responding’ state.
Some security researchers believe that the process may modify various computer settings such as change the some elements of the desktop appearance or make any associated apps such as DNS Unlocker to be difficult to uninstall. (For example, this error message: ‘You cannot uninstall this program while it is running’)
Should DNS Unlocker Be Removed?
In case this software has been installed on your PC without you realizing it, you may want to remove DNS Unlocker from your PC. If you don’t have sufficient experience in identifying such adware or just don’t have the time to deal with that, seek professional software that will automate the process. Installing advanced anti-malware program will also protect you with its active shields thus prevent any future threats from affecting your machine.
- Guide 1: How to Remove DNS Unlocker from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of DNS Unlocker from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove DNS Unlocker from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase DNS Unlocker from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall DNS Unlocker from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove DNS Unlocker from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate DNS Unlocker from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove DNS Unlocker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove DNS Unlocker
Step 2: Uninstall DNS Unlocker and related software from Windows
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 3: Clean any registries, created by DNS Unlocker on your computer.
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 Unlocker 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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of DNS Unlocker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall DNS Unlocker and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Unlocker 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 Unlocker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DNS Unlocker, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove DNS Unlocker 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase DNS Unlocker 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall DNS Unlocker 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove DNS Unlocker 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 Unlocker will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate DNS Unlocker 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.
Hi, when I delete DNS Unlocker my start page is strange. Can you help me to see google when I start my Chrome? thanks
Hi, Lorenzo,
It seems that the problem has been caused by either DNS Unlocker or another PUP (Potentially Unwanter Program) on your computer. In order to fix it for Google Chrome, please do the following:
1)Open Chome
2)On the top right corner, below the X button, click on the drop-down Customize and Control menu.
3)From there, drag your mouse over ‘More Tools’ sub menu.
4)From it, choose Extensions
5)Locate any suspicious extension on your computer then remove it.
6)Now type in the address bar chrome://settings and scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a button that says ‘Reset Settings’. It should restore chrome to its initial state.
IMPORTANT: Make sure before resetting Chrome to save your bookmarks and passwords.
1)To save you passwords type chrome://settings.
2)Click on ‘Manage Passwords’. Its a blue highlighted text/button under the ‘Passwords and forms’ section.
3)You should see a list with all the passwords. Simply click on the ones you would like to copy and click on show. Copy them either on your machine or on a piece of paper.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate.
Best regards,
Berta
I have internet now, thanks.. :)
Sorry mate, but this article does not work.
Dear Andrew,
Please follow the instructions in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKYQxxyooXU
If this does not help you, make sure you write about it in our forum and this time please be thorough as to what exactly the problem is so you can be provided proper assistance.
Regards,
BertaB