Golden Dock Ads is an adware PUP that is confirmed to display annoying pop-up messages to users linking to various third-party websites. Security researchers recommend being very cautious when dealing with Golden Dock Ads and remove it in case you have it on your computer. The main reason it should be scanned with an anti-malware program is that this software may display ads that in some cases may lead to scamming websites or sites that infect the user PC with malware.
Name | Golden Dock Ads |
Type | Adware/PUP |
Short Description | The program claims to be useful, however may be heavily ad-supported. |
Symptoms | The user may witness pop-ups and other forms of adverts. Slow PC. Browser crashing. |
Distribution Method | Bundling. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss about Golden Dock Ads. |
Golden Dock Ads – How Did I Get It?
Applications like Golden Dock Ads redistribute primarily via bundling downloads. So in case you may have downloaded a reputable program from software-providing sites that use bundling. For demonstration of how bundling works and example try downloading something from en.softonic.com/s/free-downloads or download.cnet.com. These websites are reputable, however there are some suspicious third-party websites that contain downloaders and setups that may include Golden Dock Ads as a free extra.
Golden Dock Ads – More about It
Once installed on your computer, Golden Docks Ads may begin to collect different user information based on the what the user searches, his/her browsing history and online clicks.
Based on those, the adware may generate different advertisements that may be two types:
- Ads generated based on collected historical data. (banners on websites, pop-ups, etc.)
- Ads that are generated on the go (higlighted text, ad-supported search results, etc)
In addition to that the software may randomly display ‘Virus Detected’ type of pop-ups or others in similar character that may lead the user to an online scam such as fake customer support or fake antivirus software that displays non-existent virus detection and demands payments for its full version. Those advertisements are reported to significantly slow the user PC down and in some cases even crash it.
But the main reason this software is considered dangerous is that it is reported to display third-party advertisements linking to suspicious sites. Some websites may either be scamming or even infect the user PC with malware such as:
- Ransomware.
- Infostealers.
- Downloaders.
- Worms.
- Viruses.
- Malicious scripts.
- Rootkits.
- Flooders.
- Keyloggers.
Such programs are not detected by antivirus software because they are an indirect threat to the user PC. However, they are detected by anti-malware programs as low-level threats and automatically removed.
Remove Golden Dock Ads Permanently
In order to remove Golden Dock Ads manually you should follow the instructions prepared after this article.
However, if you wish to remove all files that are left over after manual uninstall such as cookies that track your info or registry entries and protect yourself from further intrusions of such annoyware, you should install an advanced anti-malware software.
Instructions on how to remove Golden Dock Ads Permanently:
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads.
Step 2: Remove Golden Dock Ads from your browser
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Golden Dock Ads and click “Remove”
After Golden Dock Ads is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Golden Dock Ads. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Golden Dock Ads will be removed.
Step 3: Remove Golden Dock Ads automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Golden Dock Ads from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Golden Dock Ads from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Golden Dock Ads from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Golden Dock Ads from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Golden Dock Ads from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Golden Dock Ads from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Golden Dock Ads from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Golden Dock Ads from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Golden Dock Ads





Step 2: Uninstall Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Golden Dock Ads, 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads 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 Golden Dock Ads will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Golden Dock Ads 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.