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
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 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.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind
Step 2: Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 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.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 Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Adware.Yontoo.AstroFind 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 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 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 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
