A dangerous web domain has been reported to be associated with several malware families. It is called ad(.)directrev(.)com and is confirmed to affect thousands of computers per hour at the moment of writing this. Expert researchers such as Trend Micro Security Intelligence personnel have identified the suspicious domain to be associated with six malware families. All users who have spotted this domain on their web browser should immediately counter react and remove any malicious applications that may be causing redirects to their computer.
| Name | Ad(.)directrev(.)com |
| Type | Malicious domain |
| Short Description | The domain may do various dangerous or unhealthy to the PC activities. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness fake Java Update downloads as well as redirects to other potentially harmful domains. |
| Distribution Method | Via PUPs, installed by bundling (Browser Hijackers) or by visiting a suspicious third-party site that is advertising it. |
| Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
| User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Ad(.)directrev(.)com. |
Ad(.)directrev(.)com Distribution
The distribution of this domain may be conducted via several different methods:
- Referral spam over websites, forums and others.(ex. Copyrightclaims(.)org)
- Browser Hijacker causing redirects (ex. Yes Searches)
- Adware advertising the domain. (ex. DNS Unlocker)
Referral spam is distributed by directly advertising links and it generates traffic very quickly. Interestingly enough there are two types of referral spam – ghost referrals and web crawlers. Ghost referral spam is more dangerous since it may spread by remotely connecting to the website being spammed and post legitimately looking comments or replies.
Browser hijackers are a very common occurrence, in fact, there is a real chance someone in your close circle of friends to have such on their computer, if you don’t. They usually come bundled with the setup installers of programs that are being downloaded for free by software providing websites. Such sites include hijackers or other suspicious apps under the pretext of a legitimate “free extra”. Most commonly imitated programs are toolbars, PC optimisers and other at first-hand useful software.
Adware also uses bundling, but it usually does not cause browser redirect. However, this doesn’t mean that it can’t do it.
Ad(.)directrev(.)com In Detail
When the domain itself has been researched using cqcounter, it was established that it may originate from the USA. Furthermore, the domain may be a part or imitate to be a part of the legitimate advertising delivery domain directrev.com which is a digital advertisement marketplace.
What is more, the suspicious domain uses cookies and if combined with PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) that may be residing on your computer it may track different user information:
- Address.
- Location.
- Name.
- Gender.
- Nationality.
- Language(s).
- IP address.
- Operating System.
- Any other system or user entered data.
Not only this but this redirect has been associated to infect computers with malware, according to Trend Micro Security Intelligence researchers. It has been linked with several different malware families, some of which categorized by Trend Micro as
- MOVLY
- MALWARE
- SHA256FNAME
- EOREZO
- MANGLED
- INFOSTL
Their research suggests that URLs originating from this domain may result in infection with different types of Trojans, like info stealing ones, for example.
Stop Ad(.)directrev(.)com Permanently and Reset Your Browser
To completely be rid of this malicious domain from your computer, you need to act swiftly and methodologically. After the article, we have prepared a removal report for the app that may be causing redirects to the domain and for other apps if detected, and this is one option to do it. Whichever way you may remove it, you should make sure you back up your data, first. There are several ways to do this for free:
1.Online backup – for example, SOS Online Backup
2.Copy it to an external drive.
3.Use Windows Backup services.
N.B. After the actual removal do not forget to change the passwords of all your accounts just to be sure.
Delete Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Windows and Your Browser
Remove or Uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com in Windows.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com.
Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com and click “Remove“
After Ad(.)directrev(.)com is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Ad(.)directrev(.)com will be removed.
Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com.Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.
Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.
Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Ad(.)directrev(.)com files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.
Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .
1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)1-Click on Windows Start Menu
2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup
4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.
5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.
6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by Ad(.)directrev(.)com.
2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter
3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’
4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.
5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from Ad(.)directrev(.)com.
1- Press Windows button + R keys.
2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.
3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.
5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from Ad(.)directrev(.)com is on.
Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.
2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.
3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by Ad(.)directrev(.)com should be restored.
Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com Using Other Alternative Tools
STOPZilla Anti MalwareStep 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.
Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.
Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.
Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.
2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Ad(.)directrev(.)com associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.
Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Ad(.)directrev(.)com
Step 2: Uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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 Ad(.)directrev(.)com will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Ad(.)directrev(.)com 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.
