AdGoblin Threat Level:

AdGoblin is adware that installs itself as a browser helper object (BHO), and pops up enough annoying ads on Internet Explorer that AdGoblin might even make your browser unusable. You could try removing AdGoblin through the usual remove/uninstall applications. And if that doesn’t work?

Throw your PC out the window.

Do You Have AdGoblin?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s AdGoblin, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like AdGoblin to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with AdGoblin.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like AdGoblin may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove AdGoblin Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove AdGoblin manually, you need to delete AdGoblin files. Not sure how to delete AdGoblin files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Stop AdGoblin processes:

Delete AdGoblin DLLs:

Delete AdGoblin files:

Unregister AdGoblin registry keys:

Note: In any AdGoblin files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual AdGoblin removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove AdGoblin Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete AdGoblin files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove AdGoblin files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete AdGoblin files in Windows.

How to delete AdGoblin files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a AdGoblin file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop AdGoblin processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find AdGoblin processes.
4. Once you’ve found the AdGoblin processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill AdGoblin.

How to remove AdGoblin registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any AdGoblin registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of AdGoblin’s registry keys.
4. As soon as AdGoblin registry key appears, you can delete the AdGoblin registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete AdGoblin DLL files:

1. First locate AdGoblin DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the AdGoblin DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the AdGoblin DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the AdGoblin DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any AdGoblin DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did AdGoblin change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

AdGoblin Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any AdGoblin files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding AdGoblin files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the AdGoblin files for you, and then manually delete AdGoblin files.

How Did You Get AdGoblin?

Wondering how AdGoblin ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with AdGoblin or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like AdGoblin. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like AdGoblin.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like AdGoblin. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding AdGoblin

If you’re infected with AdGoblin, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to AdGoblin.

AdGoblin May Be Adware

Adware is software designed to promote advertisements. Often, free utilities may install hidden adware, sometimes to earn money for the author to recover development costs. While adware is not always malicious, it can track your Internet activity and send this and other personal information from your computer to advertisers. When advertisers get this information, you may be a target for pop-up/pop-under advertisements, web browser toolbars, and spam.

AdGoblin May Be a Browser Helper Object

Browser helper objects (BHO) are often created by website authors to customize and control Internet Explorer and the way websites appear on IE. Browser helper objects usually load when Internet Explorer starts up, and BHO’s may share IE’s memory and perform various actions on any available windows and modules. It’s possible for browser helper objects to detect events, create additional windows to display information, and monitor your messages and actions.