The RocketTab is an ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware). The adware may change the settings of web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge and IE or install a harmful browser extension, which created to generate a large amount of unwanted pop-up ads signed with RocketTab or “Powered by RocketTab” or “Brought to you by RocketTab” or “Ad by RocketTab”. It’ll lead to the fact that when you open the internet browser or surfing the Web, it’ll always be forced to display RocketTab pop-up ads, even when your browser is configured to block pop-up ads or your computer has a program that stops pop-up ads. On current date, the adware continues to increase the number of machines that have been infected.
The ad-supported software can change the settings of the Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge, but often that a harmful software such as this can also infect all types of internet browsers by changing their desktop shortcuts. Thus forcing the user each time open the web browser to see RocketTab unwanted ads.
The ‘ad supported’ software is not a virus, but the virus behaves similarly. As a rootkit hides in the system, alters browser settings and blocks them from changing. Also the adware can install additional browser extensions, addons and modules that will inject advertisements within the Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, FF and MS Edge’s screen. Moreover, the adware may install browser hijacker that once started, will modify the web browser’s home page and search engine. And finally, the ‘ad supported’ software can collect a wide variety of personal information such as what web-sites you are opening, what you are looking for the World Wide Web and so on. This information, in the future, may be transferred to third parties.
So, obviously, you need to remove the ad-supported software ASAP. Use the free instructions below. This guide will help you clean your PC system and thereby remove the RocketTab unwanted popup ads.
How can you protect your machine from RocketTab pop-up ads
Most commonly, the ‘ad supported’ software is bundled within the install packages from a free hosting and file sharing web sites. So, install a free applications is a a good chance that you will find some bundled ad supported software. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During installation, choose the Custom or Advanced installation option. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install an unknown programs. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any applications or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your PC like this adware which reroute the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge onto the unwanted RocketTab web site.
How to manually remove RocketTab ads
This steps will assist you delete RocketTab ads. These RocketTab removal steps work for the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and IE, as well as every version of Windows operating system. Some of the steps may require you to close the web-browser or restart your PC system. So, bookmark or print it for later reference.
- Remove suspicious and unknown applications by using Windows Control Panel
- Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
- Remove RocketTab advertisements from Chrome
- Remove RocketTab ads from Mozilla Firefox
- Get rid of RocketTab from Internet Explorer
- Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
Remove suspicious and unknown applications by using Windows Control Panel
The best way to start the machine cleanup is to delete unknown and suspicious programs. Using the Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded applications can clean up your internet browser from pop-ups, hijackers and so on.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows key, click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
- It’ll display the Windows Control Panel.
- Click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- You will see a list of all installed applications.
- Scroll through the all list, and uninstall suspicious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort programs by date.
See more details in the video instructions below.
Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
When the adware is started, it can also change the web-browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument similar “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you open the internet browser, it will be redirected to an annoying advertisements.
To clear the web-browser shortcut, right-click to it and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text which starts with “http://” that has been added here. You need to remove it.
When the argument is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcuts of all your browsers, as they may be infected too.
Remove RocketTab advertisements from Chrome
Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It opens the drop-down menu. Next, press the “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as shown in the figure below and click the “Reset settings” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Remove RocketTab ads from Mozilla Firefox
First, start the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will show the drop-down menu. Next, click the “Help” button ().
In the Help menu, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click “Refresh Firefox” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Refresh Firefox”.
Get rid of RocketTab from Internet Explorer
First, launch the Internet Explorer, then press the button in the form of gear (). It will show the Tools drop-down menu as on the image below. Next, click the “Internet Options”.
In the Internet Options window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as shown on the screen below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.
You will now need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If the annoying RocketTab ads opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all the tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ program.
Press Windows and R keys on the keyboard together. This shows a prompt that titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and press OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the screen below.
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Pay attention to that it launches on your PC. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove it. If you are not sure that executes the task, check it through a search engine. If it’s a component of the ‘ad-supported’ program, then this task also should be removed.
Having defined the task that you want to delete, then click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete like below.
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ software. Once is complete, close the Task Scheduler window.
How to remove RocketTab automatically
We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install this tool to detect RocketTab threat and remove it, by clicking on the link below. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the system.
326386 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once installed, the Malwarebytes will try to update itself and when this process is finished, press “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan for the ad supported software and malware. During the scan it will detect all threats present on your computer. In order to get rid of all threats, simply press “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes is a free application that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about the Malwarebytes, we recommend you to read and follow the steps or the video guide below.
How to stop RocketTab ads
To increase your security and protect your machine against new annoying ads and malicious web sites, you need to use an application that blocks access to harmful ads and pages. Moreover, the program can block the show of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- Download AdGuard application by clicking on the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once downloading is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the setup is finished, press “Skip” to close it and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see a quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and block advertisements, Ads by RocketTab, as well as other harmful or misleading pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your Windows desktop.
If the problem with RocketTab pop-up ads is still remained
If MalwareBytes cannot remove RocketTab ads, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars.
- Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225263 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once the utility is started the main screen will appear as shown on the image above.
- Now, click the “Scan” button . This will begin scanning the whole computer to find out adware which generates RocketTab ads.
- Once the scanning is complete, AdwCleaner will show a scan report. Review the report and then press “Clean” button. It will open a prompt, click “OK” button.
The following video explains the instructions above on how to remove ‘ad supported’ software with AdwCleaner.
Finish words
After completing the step-by-step guide shown above, your PC should be free from malware and adware. The Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and MS Edge will no longer show RocketTab unwanted pop-up ads or redirect you to unwanted sites. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new type of adware, and then the best way – ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.