What Is Flash Cleaner?
Flashcleaner.xyz is a website that promotes a suspicious browser extension called Flash Cleaner. Currently, the extension is no longer available on Chrome Web Store but it still can be promoted on other platforms. If your default search page has been replaced by the Flashcleaner.xyz site without your consent, then the extension has been downloaded in a bundled installer alongside another software. In this case, it is advisable to scan your system for other unwanted apps as well.
What Is a Browser Extension?
Also known as a plug-in or add-on, a browser extension is a small piece of software that adds extra features and functionalities to a web browser. It should be noted that browser extensions can be coded to take advantage of various security loopholes that allow hackers to install malware on computer systems. In other cases, extensions such as Flash Cleaner can generate intrusive advertisements. They can also be used to enable different kinds of tracking technologies, such as cookies, tags, pixels, geolocators and more. All these objects can collect data from web browsers, potentially resulting in unwanted data collection.
Flashcleaner.xyz Details
| Name | Flashcleaner.xyz |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUA |
| Short Description | A suspicious browser extension that hijacks your browsers. |
| Symptoms | Your search provider is replaced with Bing.com. Ads may be displayed. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites |
| Detection Tool |
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Flashcleaner.xyz – What Should I Know? How Is It Distributed?
If you don’t remember downloading the extension yourself, it may have been included in the installer of another program. Bundling is not illegal, however, this practice can be used to make money through pay-per-install, so it is best to avoid any software that is bundled together. The extension also has its own website.
Flashcleaner.xyz Distribution Details
You may have unknowingly downloaded a bundled installer from a download site that could contain adware, browser plugins, PUAs, and even malware when trying to download a legitimate application. This could be the reason why Flash Cleaner appears on your computer.
As we already mentioned, software bundling is not illegal but it often causes unwanted, additional downloads, even of legitimate products. To avoid it from happening, you should be more careful during the installation steps of freeware applications.
Another scenario that may have caused the appearance of this adware is unsafe browsing. Maybe you recently clicked on a fake pop-up warning, suggesting that your antivirus has experied or that Adobe is out of date.
These are popular examples of fake tech-support scams that are known to cause browser redirects and unwanted downloaded on affected computers.
Is Flashcleaner.xyz a Virus?
Adware programs are not classified as computer viruses. However, they are known to take users to suspicious pages. If you interact with any of the content Flashcleaner.xyz provides, like clicking downloading the provided extension, you can unknowingly install a potentially unwanted app or browser hijacker. If your homepage and new tab page are changed without your consent, you may have a browser hijacker “attached” to your browser.
Is Flash Cleaner Dangerous?
This extension is potentially dangerous. These are often used by scammers to redirect users to malicious websites that contain malware and fake software downloads.
How to Protect My Computer from Suspicious Extensions
To protect against Flashcleaner.xyz, it is important to be aware when browsing and downloading files online. Read all user agreements carefully and only download programs from trusted and official sources. Additionally, ensure that your operating system and web browsers are always up-to-date, as this will help to prevent malicious software from entering your computer.
To summarize, if you suspect that your computer is compromised by flashcleaner.xyz, it is crucial to take immediate action and run a full system scan as soon as you notice the extension.
How to Remove Flashcleaner.xyz
To get rid of Flashcleaner.xyz and all its associated components, you can complete several removal steps. The instructions below provide both manual and automatic removal methods. To completely get rid of the files installed by unwanted applications, we recommend that you combine the steps.
The manual removal may be quite a complicated process that requires tech-savvy skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, you can rely on automatic removal.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Flashcleaner.xyz from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Flashcleaner.xyz with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz (Windows).
Get rid of Flashcleaner.xyz from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz. 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Flashcleaner.xyz, 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 Flashcleaner.xyz (Mac)
Remove Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz will be removed.
Eliminate Flashcleaner.xyz 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".
Flashcleaner.xyz-FAQ
What Is Flashcleaner.xyz?
The Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz?
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 Flashcleaner.xyz?
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 Flashcleaner.xyz Work?
Once installed, Flashcleaner.xyz 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.
Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Flashcleaner.xyz 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 Flashcleaner.xyz?
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 Flashcleaner.xyz threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.