Do not trust websites stating that your personal data might be exposed
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on 02 August 2021
What is the «IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam?
«IP address & personal information might be exposed» is a scam promoted on various untrustworthy websites. This scheme aims to promote a piece of (likely dubious) software by claiming that users’ IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and personal data may be exposed and vulnerable.
In seldom cases, such scams endorse legitimate products and generate revenue through deceptive and questionable tactics. However, they more commonly distribute adware, browser hijackers, fake anti-viruses, and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). It is noteworthy that online schemes may even proliferate malware.
Scam-promoting sites are usually accessed inadvertently; most users enter them via mistyped URLs, or redirects caused by rogue webpages, intrusive advertisements, or installed PUAs. This software can infiltrate systems without explicit user permission, and it often has harmful abilities.
«IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam in detail
As its name suggests, the «IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam states that the user’s geolocation (IP address) and other private and sensitive data may be unprotected. It then lists the following information about the user: geolocation, IP address, ISP (Internet Service Provider), browser, and «status».
The scheme emphasizes that anyone can access this information and check the user’s browsing activity. The scam urges to download the «number one» VPN (Virtual Private Network) application to browse safely and anonymously. The scheme also guarantees that there is a thirty-day refund window for the recommended software.
As mentioned in the introduction, schemes of this type are typically used to spread untrustworthy and malicious software. Therefore, by trusting the «IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam, users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
How do potentially unwanted applications operate?
Other PUAs can force-open rogue, scam, and malicious sites (e.g., ones running the «IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam). Adware-types deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. Once clicked on, the delivered ads redirect to unreliable/dangerous websites, and some can stealthily download/install software.
Browser hijackers are another type of PUAs. They operate by making modifications to browser settings to promote (by causing redirects to) fake search engines. The promoted web searchers typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine search engines.
What is more, most PUAs have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so forth. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Threat Summary:
Name
IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up
Threat Type
Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim
Scam claims that users’ personal information might be exposed and urges to download/install the promoted VPN
Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)
To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Online scams in general
Popular scam models include: alerts about a software product being outdated or missing, warnings that the device is infected or at risk, fake lotteries and prize giveaways, unbelievable offers and deals, etc. Due to how widespread such schemes are on the Web, it is highly recommended to exercise caution when browsing.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs can have «official» promotional/download webpages, which are often pushed by deceptive/scam sites. Intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study available options, use the «Custom/Advanced» settings to opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, and other additions. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and harmless; however, they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
Text presented in the «IP address & personal information might be exposed» scam:
Your connection might not be secure
Your IP address & personal information might be exposed! Get the #1 trusted VPN to browse securely and anonymously Get a VPN
Your location: ******** Your IP: ******** Your ISP: ******** Your Browser: Chrome Your Status: MIGHT BE UNPROTECTED
The appearance of «IP address & personal information might be exposed» pop-up scam (GIF):
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Quick menu:
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click «Uninstall» or «Remove«.
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Optional method:
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select «Add-ons». Click on «Extensions», in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ip address & personal information might be exposed pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences..
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data.
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Optional method:
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers’ websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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About the author:
I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.
PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.
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Remove “IP address & personal information might be exposed” Scam
The “IP address & personal information might be exposed” page is a browser-based scam that displays fake messages to trick you into installing a potentially unwanted program. This guide teaches you how to remove “IP address & personal information might be exposed” scam by following easy step-by-step instructions.
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on: August 4, 2021
The “IP address & personal information might be exposed” page is a browser-based scam that displays fake messages to trick you into installing a potentially unwanted program. Image: IP address & personal information might be exposed scam ads
What is “IP address & personal information might be exposed”?
The “IP address & personal information might be exposed” page is a browser-based scam that pretends to be from Microsoft or Apple, then asks you to download a VPN to “secure your connection”.
This is the message that the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” page will show you:
Your connection might not be secure
Your IP address & personal information might be exposed! Get the #1 trusted VPN to browse securely and anonymously Get a VPN
Your location: Your IP: Your ISP: Your Browser: Chrome Your Status: MIGHT BE UNPROTECTED
Without using a VPN, ANYONE can see where you are browsing.
Why am I seeing the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” pop-up ads?
You are seeing the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” pop-ups because your computer is infected with a malicious program or a site that you have visited has redirected you to this page.
Less than reputable sites can display malicious ads that redirect your browser to the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” pop-up scam to generate advertising revenue. If this happens, you can close the page and install a free browser extension like Adblock to block the malicious ads. However, if you are continuously seeing pop-ups like the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” pop-up scam, then your computer might be infected with a malicious program and you need to scan your device for adware and remove it.
Here are a few typical signs that you have a malicious program installed on your computer:
To check your computer for the “IP address & personal information might be exposed” adware and remove it for free, please use the guide below.
Remove “IP address & personal information might be exposed” Scam
This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free. Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubts at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.
Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re seeing the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads, follow the removal guide.
STEP 1: Use Malwarebytes Free to remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads
In this first step, we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove the “IP address & personal information that might be exposed” pop-up ads from your computer. Malwarebytes Free is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware. It is important to note that Malwarebytes Free will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.
Download Malwarebytes Free.
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you on what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Use Malwarebytes Free”.
After installing Malwarebytes, you’ll be prompted to select between the Free and the Premium version. The Malwarebytes Premium edition includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and ransomware protection; however, we will use the Free version to clean up the computer. Click on “Use Malwarebytes Free“.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer. When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.
STEP 2: Double-check for malicious programs with HitmanPro
In this second step, we will use HitmanPro to scan your computer for other malicious programs. HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to their clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.
When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder. You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.
Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.
HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malicious programs.
Click on “Activate free license”.
Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your PC. When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.
STEP 3: Reset the browser settings to remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads
If your browser is still redirected to IP address & personal information might be exposed in this final step, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if the previous steps have not solved your issues.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Google Chrome
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Chrome we will reset the browser settings to its default. Resetting your browser settings will reset the unwanted changes caused by installing other programs. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be cleared or changed.
Click the menu icon, then click on “Settings”.
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.
Chrome’s “Settings” should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link.
Click “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
Scroll down until the “Reset and clean up” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Click on “Reset settings to their original defaults“.
Click “Reset Settings”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Firefox
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Firefox we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.
Click the menu icon, then click on “Help”.
Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “Troubleshooting Information”.
From the Help menu, click on “Troubleshooting Information“.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on “Finish“.
Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Microsoft Edge
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Microsoft Edge we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history and saved passwords will not be cleared.
Open the “Settings” menu.
In the top right corner, click on Microsoft Edge’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.”.
Click on “Reset Settings”.
On the left side of the window, click on “Reset Settings”.
Click on “Restore settings to their default values”.
In the main window, click on “Restore settings to their default values”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset” button.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Internet Explorer
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Internet Explorer we will reset the browser settings to its default. You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your computer.
Go to “Internet Options”.
Open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper right part of your browser, then select “Internet Options“.
Select the “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”
In the “Internet Options” dialog box, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” checkbox, then click on the “Reset” button.
When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box. Close your browser and then you can open Internet Explorer again.
Your computer should now be free of the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads. If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from macOS, follow these steps:
STEP 1: Use Malwarebytes for Mac to remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads
Malwarebytes for Mac is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes Free.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you on what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Select “Use Malwarebytes Free”.
You’ll be then prompted to select between the Malwarebytes Free and the Premium version. The Malwarebytes Premium edition includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and ransomware protection, however, we will use the Free version to clean up the computer. Click on “Use Malwarebytes Free“.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for redirect and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer. When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.
STEP 2: Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
Safari
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Safari browser
Go to Safari’s “Preferences”.
On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Preferences”.
This will open a new window with your Safari preferences, opened to the “General” tab. Some redirects may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
Find and uninstall the IP address & personal information might be exposed extensions.
The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Scroll through the list until you find the IP address & personal information might be exposed extension, and then click on “Uninstall” to remove it.
Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome to remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads
Google Chrome has an option that will reset itself to its default settings. Resetting your browser settings will reset the unwanted changes caused by installing other programs. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be cleared or changed.
Open Chrome’s “Settings” menu.
Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Settings“.
At the bottom, click “Advanced”.
Chrome’s “Settings” should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link (as seen in the below example).
Under the section “Reset,” click “Reset”.
Chrome’s advanced settings should now be displayed. Scroll down until the “Reset and clean up” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm by clicking “Reset”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
Mozilla Firefox
Go to the “Help” menu.
Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “Troubleshooting Information”.
From the Help menu, click on “Troubleshooting Information“.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.
Your computer should now be free of the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads. If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Android, follow these steps:
STEP 1: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Android
In this first step, we will install and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android to remove adware, redirects, and potentially unwanted programs that might be installed on your phone or tablet.
Malwarebytes Free is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected phone, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
Install Malwarebytes on your phone
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When the Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens which explain the difference between the Premium and Free version. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to give permission to Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
STEP 2: Reset the browser settings to default to remove IP address & personal information might be exposed
In this second and final step, if the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements are still present on your phone, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if the previous steps have not solved your issues.
Resetting the browser settings to their default, it’s an easy task on Windows or Mac computers; however, when it comes to Android, this can’t be done directly because it’s not an option built-in into the browser settings. Restoring the browser settings on Android can be done by clearing the application data. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved. So let’s see how we can restore your browser to its factory settings.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Google Chrome
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Chrome we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Chrome.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Chrome app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Chrome’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Chrome’s data including accounts, bookmarks and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Firefox
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Firefox we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Firefox.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Firefox app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Firefox’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Firefox’s data including accounts, bookmarks and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Opera
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Opera browser we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Opera.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Opera app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Opera’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Opera’s data including accounts, bookmarks and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Brave
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Brave browser we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Brave.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Brave app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Brave’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Brave’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Samsung Internet Browser
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Samsung Internet Browser we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Samsung Internet Browser.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Samsung Internet Browser app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Samsung Internet Browser’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Samsung Internet Browser’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from UC Browser
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from UC Browser we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on UC Browser.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the UC Browser app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the UC Browser’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all UC Browser’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads from Microsoft Edge
To remove the IP address & personal information might be exposed advertisements from Microsoft Edge we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Microsoft Edge.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Microsoft Edge app, then tap ot it to open the apps details.
When the Microsoft Edge’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Microsoft Edge’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings in order to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Your computer should now be free of the IP address & personal information might be exposed pop-up ads. If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you might want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
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Written by Tomas Meskauskas on 02 August 2021
(at the top right corner of the main window), select «Add-ons». Click on «Extensions», in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers’ websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Image: IP address & personal information might be exposed scam ads
