Manually remove “Sponsored links by Content.Ad” (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge)

Also known as: Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads, Sponsored links by Content.Ad pop-ups
Type: Adware

What is Sponsored links by Content.Ad

If Chrome, Firefox, IE or Edge randomly opening unwanted advertisements that signed with Sponsored links by Content.Ad in new tabs or popups automatically then most probably that your computer is infected with an adware. Off course, the adware may not cause damages to your files or Windows system, but it may display a tons of annoying advertisements. These ads may be injected within the content of web-sites that are you opening in your browser.

Every time, while your computer is infected with the adware, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Edge may be rerouted to the Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads. Moreover, these ads may popup on all websites, including sites where previously you have never seen any advertising banners.

It is clear that this adware, without your permission, steals your private information such as: your ip address, what is a web page you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Internet, which links you are clicking, and much, much more. The adware may monetize its functionality by collecting data from your browsing sessions and selling it to third party companies. This puts your personal information at a security risk. So, obviously, you need to clean your PC and remove the “Sponsored links by Content.Ad” ads as soon as possible. Use the free instructions below.

Common symptom of the adware infection

If you still are not sure that your computer is infected with the adware, then check your computer for the following signs:

• Your browser displays banner ads where previously you have never seen.
• Chrome, Firefox, IE or Edge opening unwanted ads.
• Your an antivirus or antispyware software detects an adware or PUP infections.
• Internet connection may be slow.

How does your computer get infected with Sponsored links by Content.Ad pop-up ads

Most cases, this adware, that displays Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads when you use your Web browser, gets installed onto your computer with a free software like E-Mail checker, PDF creator, video codec, etc. It may be bundled within the installation packages from Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar web sites. So, when you install the free software, if you do not watch carefully in the install wizard, the bundled adware gets installed too. Even removing a free software that contains this adware, you can not remove all annoying ads, because this adware will be not removed. Therefore, you must follow the steps below to remove the “Sponsored links by Content.Ad” ads and clean your computer.

To protect your computer in the future, please read term of use and user agreement very carefully before installing any software or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your PC that will display tons annoying advertisements such as Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads.

How to manually remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad

The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, which will help you manually remove the “Sponsored links by Content.Ad” popups from Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge and Google Chrome.

1. Uninstall suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
2. Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Chrome
3. Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Firefox
4. Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Internet Explorer

Uninstall suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel

Press Windows key , then click Search . Type Control panel and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click Start and select Control Panel. It will open the Windows Control Panel as shown below.

Click Uninstall a program

It will open a list of all programs. Scroll down, select Sponsored links by Content.Ad and click Uninstall.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown programs.

Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Chrome

Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It opens the drop-down menu. Click to 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 below and click on the Reset settings button.

Confirm your action, click on the Reset button.

Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Firefox

Open Mozilla Firefox menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It opens the drop-down menu. Click on the Help button ().

In the Help menu click on the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your action. Click on the Refresh Firefox.

Remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads from Internet Explorer

Open the Internet Explorer tools menu by clicking on the button in the form of gear (). It opens the drop-down menu. Click on 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. Select the Delete personal settings check box, then click on Reset button.

You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

How to remove Sponsored links by Content.Ad with Antimalware

Remove the “Sponsored links by Content.Ad” popups manually is difficult and often infection (adware) is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to use the MalwareBytes Anti-malware Free that are completely clean your computer. Moreover, the free software will help you to remove browser hijackers, malware and toolbars that your computer may be infected too.

1. Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM) from the link below.
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware
   322317 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 15, 2020
   
2. Close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that named mbam-setup.
3. Click Next and follow the prompts.
4. Once installation is complete, click on the “Scan Now” button to start scanning your computer for Sponsored links by Content.Ad infection. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
5. When the scan is finished, make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Remove Selected”. Once disinfection is completed, you may be prompted to Restart.

How to block Sponsored links by Content.Ad ads

To increase your security and protect your computer against new annoying ads and malicious web sites, you need to use an application that blocks access to dangerous ads and web-pages. Moreover, the software can block the display of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of websites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Download AdGuard program using the following link.
   

   Adguard download
   26112 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. After the download is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the Setup Wizard program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After installation is complete, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
4. 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 pop-up ads, as well as other malicious or misleading web page. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon AdGuard, which is located on your desktop.

If the problem with Sponsored links by Content.Ad popups is still remained

if MalwareBytes Anti-malware cannot remove this adware infection, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars. Also you can ask for help our Myantispyware team below.

1. Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
   

   AdwCleaner download
   222827 downloads
   Version: 8.3.2
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 28, 2022
   
2. Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is started, press “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the adware that opening unwanted Sponsored links by Content.Ad popups.
3. Once AdwCleaner has finished, it will open a scan report. Review the report and then click “Cleaning” button. It will display a prompt. Click “OK”.

How to ask for help the Myantispyware team

If you are seeking a help for Sponsored links by Content.Ad popups removal then follow these steps.

1. Download HijackThis from the link below and save it to your Desktop.
   
   

   HijackThis download
   4228 downloads
   Version: 2.0.5
   Author: OpenSource
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 7, 2015
   
2. Double-click on the HijackThis icon, and click the button labeled “Do a system scan only”.
3. Once the scan is complete, the scan button will read “Save log”, click 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.

4. 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.
5. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem.