Remove xdefender.site pop-up ads

xdefender.site is a deceptive site that asks users to authorize it to show notifications. It misuses a legitimate browser feature that allows sites with permission to show notifications on users’ desktops. Sites use this feature to keep users updated with their content. However, sites like xdefender.site misuse the feature to show ads. What’s more, some of those ads could expose you to malicious content, including scams and malware. Thus, if you have clicked “Allow” on the “xdefender.site wants to show notifications” alert, do not interact with the notifications and revoke the permission. You can find instructions to help you with that at the end of the report.

 

 

xdefender.site has nothing on it besides an image of a robot and a message saying you need to click “Allow” to confirm you are not a robot. The site prompts the browser to show an alert saying “xdefender.site wants to show notifications”. If you click “Allow”, your desktop will be spammed with advertisements. These ads will appear on the right side of your screen, mimicking legitimate system alerts, and may look like authentic notifications to deceive users. It’s recommended to avoid clicking on these ads, as they can lead to sites that conceal malware and/or promote scams. If you have already allowed the site to display notifications, we’ve included steps at the end of this report to help you revoke that permission.

We recommended scanning your computer for adware using an anti-virus program like WiperSoft. Furthermore, if you’ve given xdefender.site permission to show notifications, ensure you revoke that permission as soon as possible.

What triggers redirects to sites like xdefender.site?

If you find yourself being redirected to xdefender.site without warning, there may be several reasons. One possibility is adware, but it could also be related to the websites you are browsing. These redirects are often triggered by ad-heavy sites, particularly those that host adult or pirated content, which rely on dubious advertisements for revenue. Using any decent adblocker program will help you avoid intrusive ads and unwanted redirects, so if you don’t have one, it’s a good idea to install it.

If adware is the issue, you might notice persistent redirects and an increase in regular ads. While this can be quite annoying, adware generally isn’t considered a serious security risk. Often, these infections spread through a method known as software bundling. Adware and similar infections are bundled together with popular free programs as extra offers. Users may unintentionally allow these installations when installing popular free programs, as these offers are optional but are set to install automatically. It’s necessary to manually deselect them to prevent their installations. Unfortunately, these offers are hidden in settings users rarely use, which makes software bundling a controversial method.

To prevent unwanted junk from installing, pay attention when installing free programs. Opt for Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default when given the option. Default settings will automatically accept additional offers, while Advanced settings will reveal all offers included, allowing you to deselect them. It’s a good idea to reject any additional offers, as legitimate programs do not use software bundling to install.

How to stop xdefender.site notifications

We recommend using anti-virus software like WiperSoft to scan your computer to check for any adware infections. Adware can usually be easily removed with an anti-virus program. If no adware is detected, the redirects might be related to the websites you’re visiting. To avoid future redirects and unwanted ads, consider installing an adblocker program.

If you’ve permitted this website to show notifications, make sure to revoke that permission as soon as possible. You can easily do this through your browser’s settings. Review the list of sites with notification permissions and remove any site that you don’t recognize. Alternatively, you have the option to disable the feature altogether.

• For Mozilla Firefox: Open Menu (the three bars top-right corner) -> Options -> Privacy & Security. Scroll down to Permissions, press Settings next to Notifications, and remove xdefender.site and any other questionable websites. You can permanently turn off these notification requests by checking the “Block new requests asking to allow notifications” box in the same Notifications settings.
• For Google Chrome: Open Menu (the three dots top-right corner) -> Settings -> Privacy and security -> Site Settings. Click on Notifications under Permissions, and remove xdefender.site and any other questionable websites. You can stop these notification requests permanently by toggling off “Sites can ask to send notifications”.
• For Microsoft Edge: Open Menu (the three dots top-right corner) -> Settings -> Cookies and site permissions -> Notifications. Review which sites have permission and remove xdefender.site and any other questionable websites. You can permanently turn off these notification requests by toggling off “Ask before sending”.