Name | AdPunisher |
Type | Ad-supported application, adware |
Short Description | AdPunisher promises to stop the display of unwanted advertisements. |
Symptoms | Generates advertisements, may slow down the browser. |
Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), or freeware websites. |
Detection tool | Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By AdPunisher |
What Is AdPunisher?
AdPunisher is a browser extension that promises that it will prevent any pop-up ads from appearing. The program is compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Although this seems like it is a useful application, AdPunisher is actually categorized as adware itself. This means that it will be the one generating advertisements. As you can see, this makes the program completely useless. But that is not all. Adware programs are known to be potential risks for the system’s security. If you want to avoid any harm done to your computer, then it is best to remove AdPunisher immediately.
Where Did AdPunisher Come from?
Even though AdPunisher has an official website, this is not its main means of distribution. What is more, it is not even available for download there. The adware is featured on a number of installers of free applications. When installing freeware, you need to be very careful. Otherwise, you may install additional software by accident. AdPunisher will be set for installation by default. This means that you have to explicitly decline it, which will not happen if you just keep clicking the Next button until installation is done. It is best to avoid any third-party software dispensers. Also, to be extra safe, select the Advanced/Custom installation option. This will show you whether any additional programs are about to be installed.
What Does AdPunisher Do?
After it gets installed, AdPunisher will start displaying numerous pop-up and banner advertisements on your computer. The ads will be really intrusive as they will appear constantly. What is more, it is likely that they will be related to your interests as the program can collect information on your browsing. This may seem as though it will help you with your shopping, but in reality it is likely that the ads will lead to harmful websites. This goes for all adware programs. Often cyber criminals take advantage of them in order to promote their malicious websites. You can be presented with a really appealing offer, but once you click on the ad, get taken to a website managed by cyber criminals. This will put your sensitive information along with your system in danger. This is why we do not recommend using AdPunisher or having it on your computer altogether.
How Do I Remove AdPunisher?
It is important to note that AdPunisher belongs to a group of adware that can appear with different names. The name will not be that different. Some letters may be doubled or capitalized. You can expect it to be installed as AddPunisher, AdPuniisher, aDPunnisher, or something along these lines. What you need to do is go to Control Panel, open the list of programs, find the adware and uninstall it.
However, as AdPunisher was able to enter your PC unnoticed and has been active on it, there is a real possibility that there may be more unwanted programs on your computer or even malware. Due to these risks, security specialists recommend having a reliable antimalware program on your computer. This will clean the system of any unwanted software. At the same time, it will make sure that your computer is never compromised again. This is the best way of making sure that your sensitive information is safe.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
- Guide 1: How to Remove AdPunisher from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of AdPunisher from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove AdPunisher from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase AdPunisher from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall AdPunisher from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove AdPunisher from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate AdPunisher from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove AdPunisher from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove AdPunisher





Step 2: Uninstall AdPunisher 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 AdPunisher from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AdPunisher, 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 AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher 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 AdPunisher will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate AdPunisher 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.