| Name | DNSridgewood.exe |
| Type | Adware Process |
| Short Description | Runs in the background of the Windows Task Manager. |
| Symptoms | May display annoying advertisements on the user PC. May slow PC down. |
| Distribution Method | It is primarily distributed via bundled program. It may also be distributed via unsafe browsing, corrupted attachments, drive-by downloads, malicious apps, etc. |
| Detection tool | Download advanced anti-malware tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By DNSridgewood.exe |
In case you have seen a process in your Windows Task Manager going by the name dnsridgewood.exe, bear in mind that it may be due to the fact that you have an adware program on your computer. DNSridgewood is most likely administered by a program, called DNS Keeper. It is an adware PUP (Potentially Unwanted Porgram) and most security researchers advise to remove it straight away, since it may administer ads that slow down user PC, collect user information as well as modify some user settings.
DNSridgewood.exe – How Did I Get It?
One way you could’ve gotten this annoying adware is by browsing the web unsafely and clicking on suspicious advertisements. They may prompt you to download DNS Keeper, advertising it as a helpful tool for your browsing experience from anywhere in the world. However, do not be fooled by this, because the app my do nothing else but administer advertisements.
The most effective way of getting this application is by installing it unknowingly on your computer. This can happen if you download free applications from third-party software-providing websites. Some sites include apps without any consideration of what applications are being bundled. This particular software may be seen in the installers as a ‘free extra’. Most users tend to miss out on such programs during install and this is how DNS Keeper may have gotten in your PC and started dnsridgewood.exe
DNSridgewood.exe – More About It
This particular process may begin to collect different user information upon running on a system. This information may be related to user interests with the purpose of displaying advertisements that are targeted based on those. This technique is called behavioral advertising and it aims to increase the likelihood of users clicking on online ads. More to it than that, even though it has not been confirmed the application may be modifying certain DNS settings to send information to a foreign DNS server about your computer in your Network Connections in Windows.
Similar to other unwanted programs, like DNSUnlocker, DNS Unblocker, DNSAdlocker, this application is considered unsafe however is that it cooperates with third party websites. And those very third-party sites may be the reason for some nasty malware infections caused by drive-by downloads or online scams. Such third-party links and pop-ups most often:
- Steal user information to sell it to analytics companies.
- Obtain user credentials like passwords, logs, etc. with the purpose of using them for their own interests via fake registration forms, surveys and other.
- Download other extensions or PUPs on the user PC that may be ad-supported as well.
- Slow down user PC.
- Directly infect the computer with ransomware, trojan horses, viruses, worms, scareware malware, etc.
Cyber criminals have become very aware that the internet is a new opportunity for them to conduct their attacks. However, their biggest challenge remains the method of infection of the user PC with malware or the ‘roping’ of the user to give away his info on their fake sites. This is why they have become even smarter than before with their strategies. Users should always beware of the latest scams and build up a security-oriented browsing behavior.
Removing DNSridgewood.exe
To remove this annoying application, you must first stop it from running in the Windows Task Manager. To do it in Windows, press CTRL+ALT+DEL and choose Task Manager. After that, look for DNSridgewood.exe and stop the process from running by clicking on ‘End Task’. After this, you should make sure you follow the step-by-step removal instructions below carefully in order to most efficiently get rid of this threat.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe.
Step 2: Remove DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe and click “Remove”
After DNSridgewood.exe is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall DNSridgewood.exe. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the DNSridgewood.exe will be removed.
Step 3: Remove DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe associated objects.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove DNSridgewood.exe from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for DNSridgewood.exe with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe (Windows).
Get rid of DNSridgewood.exe from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe. 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DNSridgewood.exe, 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 DNSridgewood.exe (Mac)
Remove DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe will be removed.
Eliminate DNSridgewood.exe 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".
DNSridgewood.exe-FAQ
What Is DNSridgewood.exe?
The DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe?
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 DNSridgewood.exe?
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 DNSridgewood.exe Work?
Once installed, DNSridgewood.exe 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.
DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DNSridgewood.exe 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 DNSridgewood.exe?
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 DNSridgewood.exe threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.