Name | PopDown |
Type | PUP |
Short Description | PopDown promises to guard the user against unwanted pop-up ads but ends up producing them. |
Symptoms | Pop-ups are displayed. |
Distribution Method | Bundling. |
Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By PopDown |
PopDown is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is supposed to guard the user’s browser against unwanted pop-up advertisements. Instead of doing what it promises, the application only compromises the user’s online privacy. PopDown may have been downloaded in a bundled installer or from a freeware page. Once on the system, PopDown may start generating advertisements – pop-ups and banners. The app needs to be uninstalled so that the system is restored to normal.
PopDown Distribution Method
PUAs typically share the same distribution method. They are primarily distributed in bundled packages. The purpose of bundling is purely monetary. Third party marketers and software providers apply the method to monetize profit by generating pay-per-click revenue or draw visitors to predefined pages.
NOTE
The PopDown app and similar products are often promoted on freeware pages. However, our research indicates that bundling is the primary distribution technique of adware.
To stay protected against bundling, users should always opt for the custom/ advanced installation and uncheck recommended software.
PopDown PUP Risk Evaluation
As we have said many times, despite PUPs are often included in the malware family, they are not malicious. PUPs are not viruses, but they are troublesome, indeed. PupDown and other applications of the same type often employ tracking technologies to obtain relevant data from users. Tracking technologies are:
- Browser cookies
- Web and DOM storage data
- Adobe Flash cookies
- Pixels
- Beacons
- JavaScript
- Unique identifiers
They are later used to collect PII and non-PII such as:
- Browsing-related details – histories, search queries, used cookies.
- Personal details such as usernames, passwords, website credentials, IP addresses, etc.
Collected data can be given to affiliate partners and digital agencies, and other interested sites, depending on the contract. That is why paying attention to the software’s Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, EULA is crucial.
PopDown Removal Options
Best case scenario is you only have PopDown running in the background. However, if the PUP reached your system through a bundled download, you may have more unwanted software installed without your knowledge. Potentially unwanted applications are often designed to alter the Windows Registry and add new entries. Multiple dynamic link library and executable files can also be added.
RECOMMENDED
After you have manually located and uninstalled the PUP, you should consider scanning the system via professional software. You can follow the instructions below the article or refer to AV software of your choice.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall PopDown 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 PopDown.
Step 2: Remove PopDown from your browser
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select PopDown and click “Remove”
After PopDown is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select PopDown 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 PopDown 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 PopDown
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall PopDown. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the PopDown will be removed.
Step 4: Remove PopDown 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 PopDown associated objects.
- Guide 1: How to Remove PopDown from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of PopDown from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove PopDown from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase PopDown from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall PopDown from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove PopDown from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate PopDown from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove PopDown from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove PopDown





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