Facebook: Have Ads on Your Timeline or News Feed? Then you most likely have Adware

Is your Facebook news feed or Timeline inundated with ads?

A video message posted on the Facebook Security page warns that if you see ads on the center, top or left column of your Facebook account then it’s likely you have adware on your PC.

Beyond injecting flashy, noisy ads on your Facebook  Timeline and account news feed, having adware on your computer will result in slower overall site performance and compromise system security.

It is likely that the adware was installed upon downloading rogue browser extensions or other programs promising non-existent Facebook features, such as the ability to see who viewed your Timeline (profile), setting your own Timeline theme or even non-Facebook related items like free restaurant vouchers and gift cards.

Facebook’s Help Center also stated that the programs offered by the following websites are adware and will lead to your Facebook account being littered with intrusive advertisements:

• Facetheme.com


• Pagerage.com


• Profilecraze.com


• Social-plus.com


• Facicons.com


• Facecoolsmileys.com


• Iminent.com


• Buzzdock.com


• Connectbar.net


• Elriel.com


• Dropdowndeals.com


• Pagemood.com


• Sweetim.com

If you've downloaded applications from the sites listed above or from other sites similar to them, it's strongly recommended that you remove these programs immediately.

How to Remove Rogue Browser Plug-ins

Mozilla Firefox Users

1. Click the orange ‘Firefox’ tab at the top of your browser window.


2. Select ‘Add-ons’ in the right navigation menu (it has a blue puzzle piece icon next to it).


3. Click on the ‘Extensions’ option.


4. Click ‘Remove’ next to any suspicious looking browser extensions.


5. Restart Firefox.

Chrome Users

1. Click the gray tool icon on the top right.


2. Hover over the ‘Tools’ option and click ‘Extensions’


3. Click ‘Remove’ next to any suspicious looking browser extensions.


4. Restart Chrome.

Safari Users

1. Click Safari in your top menu bar.


2. Select Preferences.


3. Select any suspicious looking browser extensions and click ‘Uninstall’.


4. Restart Safari.

Internet Explorer Users

1. Select ‘Tools’ in the menu bar (press the ‘Alt’ button if the menu bar is not visible)


2. Select ‘Manage Add-ons’


3. Select suspicious browser add-ons and click ‘More information’


4. Click the ‘Remove’ button.

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.