Here's an example of an advertisement displayed when a user rolls over a double underlined word 'symptoms'.
Regardless of whether you or your anti-malware software has discovered the presence of adware, you should firstly get rid of it, and then secondly take some steps to protect yourself from future attacks. And if you picked up on the adware before your anti-malware did that might be a sign that you need to think about finding a new security program!
What is advertising supported software?
Adware is a computer program which has been designed to show online advertising – much as the name suggests. However it can have a detrimental effect on the way your computer runs and it can also make using your PC, and the Internet, a frustrating experience. Adware can:
- Redirect your web searches by sending you, not to the website you wanted to visit, but to an alternative that the programmer wishes you to go to
- Collect data regarding the websites you visit and the products or services that you look at on those websites. It sends this data back to the programmer who will then customize the adverts you are shown to closer match your searches
- Slow down your computer and Internet connection – thanks to this constant monitoring, collating and reporting
- Display endless, irritating pop-up and pop-under windows – usually for x rated or irrelevant content
- Create double underlined hyperlinks in text and redirect you to websites filled with ads
Adware will find its way onto your computer in a couple of different ways. Most often it is bundled with free programs, files and downloads. Sometimes, however, it will have been embedded into a website and installs itself via something known as a 'drive-by installation' when you visit that site.
Upgrading to free yourself – and your PC - from adware
Many free software programs allow you the option of upgrading to an adware-free version. To do this you will normally need to register and you may have to pay for the privilege. One thing to watch out for here though is the programs that use built-in, third party adware as these can remain on your computer even after you register and if you attempt to remove the adware you may well create conflicts within the original program. Unfortunately there's no way of knowing if this is the case or not. Some adware programs come bundled with freeware and shareware. If you got it from one of these and you don't really know which program creates double underlined words on websites you visit, please scan your computer with anti-malware software. Please note that it's not your web browser's problem. I've seen numerous threads in forums saying that Chrome has double underlined words in text on websites, etc. But adware hijacks Firefox and Internet Explorer too. It installs malicious web browser extensions and add-ons that inject ads on websites not matter which web browser you use.
Staying adware that creates double underlined words in text free
Apart from installing a good anti-malware program, you should always read the license agreement carefully whenever you downloading something. That way you'll know exactly what you're installing and stand a far better chance of staying free of advertising supported software.
If it's already too late and your computer is infected with adware or possibly other malware, please follow the steps in the removal guide below.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!
Written by Michael Kaur, http://delmalware.blogspot.com
Double Underlined Words Ads Removal Guide:
1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.
2. Remove Double Underlined Words related programs from your computer using the Add/Remove Programs control panel (Windows XP) or Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7 and Windows 8).
Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".
Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.
3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:
- Happy2Save
- GoSave
- deals4me
- Youtubeadblocker
- and any other recently installed application
Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.
Remove Double Underlined Words related extensions from Google Chrome:
1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to Tools → Extensions.
2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Happy2Save, Youtubeadblocker, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5, BlockkTheAds and other extensions that you do not recognize.
If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Remove Double Underlined Words related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.
2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Happy2Save, Youtubeadblocker, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.
Remove Double Underlined Words related add-ons from Internet Explorer:
1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.
2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.