Astro Find Ads, also known as Ads by Astro Find or only Astro Find, has been classified as an adware application and a potentially unwanted program. The program may also be detected as Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind. PUA.Yontoo is an ad-supported browser extension that is known to attach itself to the browser and generate multiple advertisements.
Name | Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind |
Type | Adware, PUP |
Short Description | The program is classified as ad-supported and generates advertisements. |
Symptoms | Advertisements in the browser. |
Distribution Method | Bundling, Free installers, Fake browser and software updates. |
Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind |
According to security researchers, Astro Find is most likely a part of the Yontoo adware – a web browser plugin designed to inject unwanted advertisements, coupons and offers in the browser. Such plugins are usually compatible with widely used browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.
Astro Find Ads/ Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind Description and Distribution
If the user doesn’t recall downloading a program named Astro Find, then he has been put through a bundled installer. Bundling is often employed to distribute potentially unwanted software and spyware. We have observed and analyzed enough ad-supported software pieces to conclude that they should be removed from the system. Even though adware is not identified as malicious, it is famous for its data collection habits. Overall, adware such as Astro Find Ads, increases the system’s vulnerability to other threats, and also endangers the user’s personal information.
Why Do I Have Astro Find Ads In My Browser?
As mentioned above, adware’s primary distribution technique is bundled installers. However, there are methods the user can get ‘infected’ by adware:
- Clicking on fake software and browser updates (mostly updates regarding Flash).
- Filling in online registration forms regarding fake contests, prizes winning, surveys, etc.
- Spam email attachments.
- Visiting suspicious websites employed for phishing and other social engineering tricks.
We have mostly seen adware applications such as Astro Find be distributed in freeware installers. However, such applications may also be promoted on freeware and shareware pages.
Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind Detection
If an updated AV program is present on the system, it will probably detect and block the threat. Some AV scanners may detect Astro Find as:
- Threat.Generic.Variant.AstroFind
- Adware.Crossrider.AstroFind
The following application – jumpflip.browseradapter64.exe – may also be related to the adware plugin.
Should Astro Find Be Removed from the System?
In one word – yes. Despite the fact that adware is not malicious, it is often quite troublesome both to the system and the user:
- Adware applications employ tracking cookies to the browser and track the user’s online activities. Some programs specialized in detecting spying software may detect such cookies as spyware cookies.
- Adware applications can modify the Windows Registry by adding new keys or values. Thus, manual removal of adware is not always a good idea.
- Adware applications can cause browser redirects to websites contaminated with malicious software (Trojans, viruses, worms).
To avoid any of the above from happening, the affected user should proceed towards scanning the system and eliminating all threats. In addition, sustaining ‘healthy’ online habits is also essential to the PC’s security. Users should stay away from suspicious pages such as adult content and avoid torrent sharing (p2p communities).
Users who have previously dealt with adware can follow the step-by-step removal guide below the article. Inexperienced users may want to call an expert friend or choose an AV software to guard their systems.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind.
Step 2: Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from your browser
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind and click “Remove”
After Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind will be removed.
Step 3: Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind associated objects.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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:
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind (Windows).
Get rid of Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind. 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind, 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind (Mac)
Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind will be removed.
Eliminate Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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".
Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind-FAQ
What Is Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind?
The Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind?
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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind?
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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind Work?
Once installed, Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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.
Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind?
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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.