How to remove Higher Captcha-settle Virus (removal guide)

What is Higher Captcha-settle?

There are many scam websites on the Internet and Higher Captcha-settle is one of them. It is a web-site that tricks computer users into subscribing to browser notification spam. Browser push notifications are originally created to alert users of recently published content. Cyber criminals abuse ‘push notifications’ to avoid antivirus and ad-blocking programs by displaying annoying adverts. These ads are displayed in the lower right corner of the screen urges users to play online games, visit questionable web-sites, install browser extensions & so on.

Higher Captcha-settle is a deceptive site that shows ‘Show notifications’ prompt that attempts to get you to click the ‘Allow’ to subscribe to its notifications. If you click on the ‘Allow’ button, then your internet browser will be configured to show annoying adverts on your desktop, even when the internet browser is closed.

Threat Summary

Name	Higher Captcha-settle virus
Type	browser notification spam, spam push notifications, pop-up virus
Distribution	social engineering attack, adware, potentially unwanted programs, suspicious popup ads
Symptoms	pop up advertisements in bottom right corner of screen your computer settings are being altered without your request you experience a large amount of of unexpected pop-up advertisements low ping but slow Internet
Removal	Higher Captcha-settle removal guide

Where the Higher Captcha-settle popups comes from

These Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups are caused by dubious ads on the web sites you visit or adware. Adware is an advertising malware. It is created just to display constant pop up windows and/or annoying adverts using intrusive and at times dangerous methods. Adware can also include other types of malware. It can steal personal data from the device and pass it on to third parties. Adware software has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the computer.

Adware software can be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but in many cases, adware software is bundled within certain free applications. Many creators of free programs include bundled apps in their installation package. Sometimes it’s possible to avoid the installation of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced install mode, reject all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.

Remove Higher Captcha-settle notifications from internet browsers

If you’ve clicked the “Allow” button in the Higher Captcha-settle pop up and gave a notification permission, you should delete this notification permission first from your browser settings. To remove the Higher Captcha-settle permission to send push notifications to your personal computer, execute the following steps. These steps are for MS Windows, Mac and Android.

Google Chrome:

• Just copy and paste the following text into the address bar of Chrome.
• chrome://settings/content/notifications
• Press Enter.
• Remove the Higher Captcha-settle URL and other rogue notifications by clicking three vertical dots button next to each and selecting ‘Remove’.

Android:

• Tap ‘Settings’.
• Tap ‘Notifications’.
• Find and tap the internet browser which displays Higher Captcha-settle browser notifications advertisements.
• Find Higher Captcha-settle in the list and disable it.

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the top-right corner of the browser.
• In the menu go to ‘Options’, in the menu on the left go to ‘Privacy & Security’.
• Scroll down to the ‘Permissions’ section and click the ‘Settings’ button next to ‘Notifications’.
• Locate Higher Captcha-settle site, other rogue notifications, click the drop-down menu and choose ‘Block’.
• Save changes.

Edge:

• Click the More button (three dots) in the top right hand corner of the window.
• Click ‘Settings’. Click ‘Advanced’ on the left side of the window.
• Click ‘Manage permissions’ button, located beneath ‘Website permissions’.
• Click the switch under the Higher Captcha-settle so that it turns off.

Internet Explorer:

• Click ‘Tools’ button in the top right hand corner.
• Go to ‘Internet Options’ in the menu.
• Select the ‘Privacy’ tab and click ‘Settings under ‘Pop-up Blocker’ section.
• Select the Higher Captcha-settle site and other suspicious sites below and remove them one by one by clicking the ‘Remove’ button.

Safari:

• On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’.
• Select the ‘Websites’ tab and then select ‘Notifications’ section on the left panel.
• Locate the Higher Captcha-settle site and select it, click the ‘Deny’ button.

How to remove Higher Captcha-settle popup ads from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

Fortunately, we have an effective method that will assist you manually or/and automatically remove Higher Captcha-settle from your internet browser and bring your web browser settings, including newtab page, start page and default search engine, back to normal. Below you’ll find a removal guidance with all the steps you may need to successfully remove adware and its components. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your personal computer or exit this website. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove Higher Captcha-settle pop ups, execute the following steps:

1. Remove Higher Captcha-settle notifications from internet browsers
2. Manual Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups removal
   • Delete potentially unwanted programs through the MS Windows Control Panel
   • Get rid of Higher Captcha-settle ads from Internet Explorer
   • Remove Higher Captcha-settle advertisements from Chrome
   • Remove Higher Captcha-settle from Mozilla Firefox by resetting internet browser settings
3. Automatic Removal of Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups
4. Stop Higher Captcha-settle pop up ads

Manual Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups removal

In this section of the blog post, we have posted the steps that will help to get rid of Higher Captcha-settle ads manually. Although compared to removal tools, this method loses in time, but you don’t need to download anything on the device. It will be enough for you to follow the detailed guide with pictures. We tried to describe each step in detail, but if you realized that you might not be able to figure it out, or simply do not want to change the Microsoft Windows and browser settings, then it’s better for you to run tools from trusted developers, which are listed below.

Delete potentially unwanted programs through the MS Windows Control Panel

First method for manual adware removal is to go into the MS Windows “Control Panel”, then “Uninstall a program” console. Take a look at the list of software on your computer and see if there are any dubious and unknown applications. If you see any, you need to delete them. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Internet search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware software or malicious software, you will likely find information that says so.

Make sure you have closed all web browsers and other software. Next, remove any unknown and suspicious programs from your Control panel.

Windows 10, 8.1, 8

Now, click the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Choose “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.

Look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most probably, one of them is the adware responsible for Higher Captcha-settle ads. Select the suspicious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and remove it.

Windows Vista, 7

From the “Start” menu in Windows, choose “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, select “Uninstall a program”.

Choose the suspicious or any unknown software, then press “Uninstall/Change” button to uninstall this undesired program from your computer.

Windows XP

Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.

Choose an undesired program, then click “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.

Get rid of Higher Captcha-settle ads from Internet Explorer

By resetting Internet Explorer internet browser you return your internet browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by adware software related to the Higher Captcha-settle advertisements.

First, run the Internet Explorer. Next, click the button in the form of gear (). It will display the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as on the image below.

In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed in the following example. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.

You will now need to reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect.

Remove Higher Captcha-settle advertisements from Chrome

Reset Google Chrome settings will allow you to completely reset your web-browser. The result of activating this function will bring Chrome settings back to its original state. This can delete Higher Captcha-settle advertisements and disable harmful add-ons. Keep in mind that resetting your internet browser will not remove your history, bookmarks, passwords, and other saved data.

1. First, run the Google Chrome and press the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
2. It will open the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
3. You’ll see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
4. Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
5. Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
6. On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
7. The Google Chrome will show the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
8. Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
9. To learn more, read the post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.

Remove Higher Captcha-settle from Mozilla Firefox by resetting internet browser settings

If your Mozilla Firefox browser is re-directed to Higher Captcha-settle without your permission or an unknown search engine opens results for your search, then it may be time to perform the internet browser reset. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed or cleared.

Press the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and press the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as displayed in the following example.

A small menu will appear, press the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, press “Refresh Firefox” button as shown on the screen below.

Follow the onscreen procedure to restore your Firefox web browser settings to their default state.

Automatic Removal of Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups

If you’re not expert at computers, then all your attempts to get rid of Higher Captcha-settle pop up advertisements by following the manual steps above might result in failure. To find and remove all of the adware software related files and registry entries that keep this adware on your computer, run free antimalware software such as Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM), MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) and HitmanPro from our list below.

How to remove Higher Captcha-settle pop ups with Zemana Free

Zemana is a complete package of anti-malware tools. Despite so many features, it does not reduce the performance of your computer. Zemana AntiMalware can remove almost all the types of adware including Higher Captcha-settle pop up ads, hijackers, PUPs and harmful browser extensions. Zemana Free has real-time protection that can defeat most malicious software. You can run Zemana Free with any other anti-virus without any conflicts.

Click the link below to download the latest version of Zemana Free for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

Once the downloading process is complete, close all windows on your computer. Further, open the install file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will assist you install Zemana Free on the PC. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is finished successfully, Zemana Free will automatically run and you can see its main window as shown below.

Next, click the “Scan” button . Zemana Anti Malware program will scan through the whole device for the adware that causes Higher Captcha-settle ads in your web browser. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware software or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is complete.

When that process is finished, Zemana Free will create a list of unwanted programs and adware. When you’re ready, click “Next” button.

The Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) will remove adware that causes multiple intrusive pop ups. Once disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer.

Get rid of Higher Captcha-settle pop-ups and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro

HitmanPro will help remove adware responsible for Higher Captcha-settle advertisements that slow down your computer. The hijackers, adware and other PUPs slow your browser down and try to force you into clicking on malicious ads and links. Hitman Pro removes the adware software and lets you enjoy your device without Higher Captcha-settle ads.

1. First, visit the page linked below, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Hitman Pro.
   
   

   HitmanPro
   12065 downloads
   Author: Sophos
   Category: Security tools
   Update: June 28, 2018
   
2. After the download is done, double click the HitmanPro icon. Once this utility is opened, press “Next” button for checking your device for the adware software that causes Higher Captcha-settle advertisements. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your PC system. While the Hitman Pro program is checking, you may see count of objects it has identified as threat.
3. Once finished, HitmanPro will show a scan report. When you’re ready, press “Next” button. Now press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to delete all malicious software found.

Use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to delete Higher Captcha-settle popup advertisements

We suggest using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). You can download and install MalwareBytes Free to search for adware and thereby remove Higher Captcha-settle popups from your internet browsers. When installed and updated, this free malicious software remover automatically searches for and removes all threats present on the personal computer.

MalwareBytes Free can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.

Once downloading is finished, close all windows on your computer. Further, start the file called MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like the one below, press the “Yes” button.

It will display the Setup wizard that will help you install MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) on the device. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is complete successfully, click “Get Started” button. Then MalwareBytes Anti Malware will automatically launch and you can see its main window as displayed on the screen below.

Next, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the adware that causes Higher Captcha-settle popup advertisements. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware tool is checking, you may see count of objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.

After the scan is complete, MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will show you the results. Review the results once the utility has done the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply press “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes will remove adware software related to the Higher Captcha-settle ads. Once the clean up is done, you may be prompted to restart your computer. We advise you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the MalwareBytes to get rid of browser hijackers, adware and other malicious software.

Stop Higher Captcha-settle pop up ads

It’s also critical to protect your browsers from harmful websites and ads by using an ad-blocker application such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

Download AdGuard from the link below.

Once downloading is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed below.

Follow the prompts. When the setup is complete, you will see a window as shown in the following example.

You can press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block Higher Captcha-settle, as well as other malicious or misleading web-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, which can be found on your desktop.

Finish words

Now your computer should be clean of the adware software related to the Higher Captcha-settle pop up ads. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and intrusive harmful web pages) and Zemana Free (to periodically scan your PC system for new malware, browser hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijackers, harmful software and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to delete Higher Captcha-settle virus from your web-browser, then ask for help here.