If you find that your internet browser has become open the annoying “Google is Tracking Your Searches” pop-up then it is a sign that your PC is infected with dangerous software from the adware family. The ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware) is a form of unwanted software that can open a huge number of advertisements without a user’s permission. Moreover, it can reroute the browser on dangerous and misleading pages. Also, if you seeing that the Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge tries to load an unknown web site, when you try to open a long-known web site, then you do not need to wait! Press the stop button in web-browser’s address bar. You need to follow the guide below and clean your computer from adware as quickly as possible. It will assist you to remove the redirect to “Google is Tracking Your Searches” ads and any other unwanted web-sites.
Most often, the ‘ad-supported’ software affects the most common web-browsers like the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. But such the malicious software as well may infect another internet browsers by changing its shortcuts (adding an argument such as ‘http://site.address’ into Target field of a web-browser’s shortcut). So every time you run the browser, it will redirect to an unwanted ads site. Even if you setup a new start page, an annoying web-page will be the first thing you see when you run the Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge.
The adware is the part of the software that is used as an online promotional tool. It’s created with the sole purpose to open dozens of popup ads, and thus to promote the goods and services in an open browser window. So, the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” is just one of the many web pages of the so-called ‘ad-support’ type. It is designed to fill the web-browser’s constant stream of ads, or redirect the internet browser to not expected and intrusive advertising web pages. Moreover, the adware can substitute the legitimate advertising links on misleading or even banners that can offer to visit dangerous web-pages. The reason is simple, many advertisers agree on any ways to attract users to their web-pages, so the creators of adware, often forcing users to click on an advertising link. For each click on a link, the authors of the adware receive income. It’s the so-called ‘Pay-Per-Click’ method.
So, obviously, you need to uninstall the adware as quickly as possible. Use the free instructions below. This guide will help you clean your system and thereby get rid of the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” annoying ads.
How does “Google is Tracking Your Searches” ads get installed onto system
The adware spreads along with various freeware, as a supplement, which is installed automatically. This is certainly not an honest way to get installed onto your computer. To avoid infecting of your PC system and side effects in the form of the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” annoying ads, you should always carefully read the ‘Terms of Use’ and the ‘Software license’. Additionally, always select Manual, Custom or Advanced installation mode. This allows you to disable the installation of unnecessary and often harmful applications.
How to manually remove “Google is Tracking Your Searches” advertisements
If you perform exactly the step-by-step instructions below you should be able to remove the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” advertisements. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to close your browser or reboot your personal computer.
- Remove suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
- Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to delete “Google is Tracking Your Searches” redirect
- Uninstall “Google is Tracking Your Searches” popup ads from FF
- Remove “Google is Tracking Your Searches” redirect from Chrome
- Get rid of “Google is Tracking Your Searches” in IE
- Delete unwanted Scheduled Tasks
Remove suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
First, you should try to identify and remove the program that causes the appearance of unwanted ads and internet browser redirect to unwanted web-pages, using the ‘Uninstall a program’ which is located in the ‘Control panel’.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
Windows XP, Vista, 7
Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to delete “Google is Tracking Your Searches” redirect
Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut which you use to run your internet browser. Next, select the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the internet browser which is redirected to the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” or other unwanted site.
Further, necessary to look at the text which is written in the “Target” field. The adware can rewrite the contents of this field, which describes the file to be run when you run your web-browser. Depending on the browser you are using, there should be: Google Chrome: chrome.exe, Opera: opera.exe, Firefox: firefox.exe, Internet Explorer: iexplore.exe. If you are seeing an unknown text like “http://site.address” that has been added here, then you should delete it, as shown in the figure below.
Next, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you open the web-browser from this desktop shortcut, it does not occur automatically reroute on the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” web-site or any other unwanted web pages that is advertised by the adware. Once the step is complete, we recommend to go to the next step.
Uninstall “Google is Tracking Your Searches” popup ads from FF
If the Firefox settings have been replaced by the adware, then resetting it to the default state can help you to remove the reroute onto “Google is Tracking Your Searches” advertisements.
First, start the FF and press button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Next, press the Help button () as shown in the following image.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the following image. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation prompt, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the ad supported software. Once it is complete, click the “Finish” button
Remove “Google is Tracking Your Searches” redirect 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, click 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, like below and press the “Reset settings” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Get rid of “Google is Tracking Your Searches” pop-ups in IE
To delete the “Google is Tracking Your Searches” ads you need to reset the Internet Explorer to the state, that was when the Windows was installed on your computer.
First, start the Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will open the drop-down menu on the right part of the browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, you need to select the “Advanced” tab and click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will display the “Reset Microsoft Internet Explorer settings” prompt like below. Next, press the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. After that, click the “Reset” button.
When the procedure is complete, click “Close” button. Close the Microsoft Internet Explorer and restart your PC system for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your browser’s settings to default state and disable ‘ad-supported’ extensions.
Delete unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If the unwanted “Google is Tracking Your Searches” page 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’ programs.
Press Windows and R keys on the keyboard simultaneously. This displays a dialog box that titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown below.
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be display just below automatically. Next, press 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 is a component of the adware, then this task also should be removed.
Having defined the task that you want to remove, then press on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown in the figure below.
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ programs. Once is finished, close the Task Scheduler window.
How to remove “Google is Tracking Your Searches” ads automatically
We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install this utility to detect “Google is Tracking Your Searches” threat and remove it, from the link below. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the computer.
326384 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once installed, the Malwarebytes will try to update itself and when this procedure is done, press “Scan Now” button to begin scanning your computer for the adware and malware. During the scan it will detect all threats present on your computer. In order to get rid of all threats, simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes is a free program 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 step-by-step guide or the video guide below.
How to block “Google is Tracking Your Searches” popup ads
To increase your security and protect your PC system against new unwanted ads and malicious web-pages, you need to use an application that blocks access to malicious advertisements and web sites. Moreover, the program can block the display of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- Download AdGuard application from the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once downloading is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is finished, press “Skip” to close it and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see a quick tutorial which will help 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 personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and block pop-up ads, as well as other dangerous or misleading web sites. 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 “Google is Tracking Your Searches” pop-up ads is still remained
If MalwareBytes Anti-malware cannot remove “Google is Tracking Your Searches” advertisements, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars.
- Download AdwCleaner using the link below. AdwCleaner download
225260 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, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the ad supported software which generates “Google is Tracking Your Searches” advertisements.
- Once the checking is complete, AdwCleaner will open a scan report. Review the report and then click “Clean” button. It will open a dialog box, press “OK” button.
The following video explains the instructions above on how to remove ad-supported software with AdwCleaner.
Finish words
Once you have complete the steps shown above, your PC system should be clean from malware and ‘ad-supported’ software. The Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge will no longer display “Google is Tracking Your Searches” unwanted pop-up ads and redirect you to unknown sites. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step instructions does not help you, then you have caught a new type of adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
- Download HijackThis by clicking on the link below and save it to your Desktop. HijackThis download
4692 downloads
Version: 2.0.5
Author: OpenSource
Category: Security tools
Update: November 7, 2015
- Double-click on the HijackThis icon. Next press “Do a system scan only” button.
- Once the scan is finished, the scan button will read “Save log”, press it. Save this log to your desktop.
- Create a Myantispyware account here. Once you’ve registered, check your e-mail for a confirmation link, and confirm your account. After that, login.
- Copy and paste the contents of the HijackThis log into your post. If you are posting for the first time, please start a new thread by using the “New Topic” button in the Spyware Removal forum. When posting your HJT log, try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately.
- Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the annoying “Google is Tracking Your Searches” pop-up.