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.
