What is DNS Unlocker?
DNS Unlocker is an application which is unrecommended to be installed and utilized. For the most of users it may look as a handy add on that unblocks the blocked sites and media, though under the thorough analysis, it appears to be a bright example of an adware. Soon after DNS Unlocker infiltrates system, a bunch of ads begin to appear on every page spoiling browsing experience. It is important not to take this ads for real and think that coupons and discount presented by DNS Unlocker are valuable. The adware uses all possible variants to draw users’ attention and to lure them on malicious sites. The only right thing you can do about the adware is to remove DNS Unlocker.
How DNS Unlocker got installed on your computer?
According to the users’ claims the adware is landing on systems without users’ knowing of it. As a rule, it is travelling with free utilities, like PDF converters, media players and download managers, especially the ones that can be downloaded from free-software distribution sites and p2p services. If you use one, you should be extremely careful and remember that it’s better safe than sorry. It means that you never should be in hurry when dealing with installation: read reviews on the web and look through the information that the setup gives. If you find out that the setup contains something malicious, you would be able to decline the unwanted components in Advances/Custom setup mode.
Symptoms of DNS Unlocker infection
- First and the most striking proof of what you have an adware is ads generated on pages where they haven’t appeared before. The ads can be of any type – pop-ups, in-text hyperlinks, banners and their amount increases on shopping sites. Some of them may be labeled as “Ads by DNS Unlocker”, “Brought by DNS Unlocker”, “Powered by DNS Unlocker”, etc.
- Another indicator of adware infection is appearance of new programs that you don’t remember installing and processes in start-up queue.
- Also, you may notice the significant slowdown in the system operating, since running of the applications required for adware activity may consume a lot of CPU.
- Besides slowing down the computer itself, adware infection may as well negatively affect the speed of Internet connection.
How to remove DNS Unlocker?
To make sure that the adware won’t appear again, you need to delete DNS Unlocker completely. For this you need to remove the application from the Control Panel and then check the drives for such leftovers as DNS Unlocker files and registry entries.
We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to automatic removal tool.
Performing an antimalware scan with Norton would automatically search out and delete all elements related to DNS Unlocker. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate DNS Unlocker, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Steps of DNS Unlocker manual removal
Uninstall DNS Unlocker from Control Panel
As it was stated before, more likely that the adware appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of DNS Unlocker you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Windows XP
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Find the application related to DNS Unlocker and click Uninstall
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Windows 7/Vista
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall Program
- Find the application related to DNS Unlocker and click Uninstall
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Windows 8/8.1
- Right-click the menu icon in left bottom corner
- Choose Control Panel
- Select the Uninstall Program line
- Uninstall the application related to DNS Unlocker
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Windows 10
- Press Win+X to open Windows Power menu
- Click Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a Program
- Select the application related to DNS Unlocker and remove it
If you experience problems with removing DNS Unlocker from Control Panel: there is no such title on the list, or you receive an error preventing you from deleting the application, see the article dedicated to this issue. Read what to do if program won’t uninstall from Control Panel
Remove DNS Unlocker from browsers
Since most of adware threats use a disguise of a browser add-on , you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on Tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete DNS Unlocker or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools/Gear icon, then select Manage Add-ons
- Delete DNS Unlocker or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove DNS Unlocker from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete DNS Unlocker or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
Remove files and registry entries added by DNS Unlocker
Sometimes removal via Control Panel is not enough since the built-in application can leave some files that shortly will restore the adware. So, you need to find all of the following items and delete them.
Remove DNS Unlocker files and folders:
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSCALPELLA
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSDOUGLAS
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSFRONTIER
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSGLENDORA
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\DNS Unlocker
%TEMP%\io5.exe
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBROWNINGTON
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSARVONIA
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBEECHER
file.exe
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSATLANTIC
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBOZAR
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBRIDGEPORT
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBOVEY
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\DNSBROOKWOOD
Remove DNS Unlocker registry entries:
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSPALENVILLE PostInstall
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSWETHERSFIELD
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSPALENVILLE
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSARVONIA
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSHUSHPUCKENA
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSCALPELLA
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSBOZAR
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSBRIDGEPORT
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSPARISH
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTEHACHAPI
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSULEN
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSRISINGSUN
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTOUGHKENAMON
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSBROOKWOOD
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSBOVEY
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSBROWNINGTON
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSSTERLINGTON
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTERRELL
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSPINCONNING
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSROBERTSVILLE
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSHODGES
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSWalland
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSLAFAYETTE
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSMEIGS
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSABERNANT
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSGLENDORA
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTRUSCOTT
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSKENMORE
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\DNSUnlocker
SOFTWARE\DNSUnlocker
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTUNIS
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSFRONTIER
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSVINCENTOWN
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSTERREBONNE
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSSECTION
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSSTONEHAM
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSPEACHBURG
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\DNSKALAMAZOO
