FixIt Unwanted Application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is FixIt?
FixIt is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that claims to improve computer performance by cleaning various junk and fixing system-related programs. Initially, this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, this program often infiltrates systems without users’ permission. In addition, FixIt records various data relating to Internet browsing activity.
Once infiltrated, FixIt records various user/system information that might be personally identifiable including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, search queries entered into search engines, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar information. The data is shared with various third parties who often misuse personal details to generate revenue.
This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to uninstall FixIt PUP immediately. Note that data tracking is common to adware-type programs and fake Internet search engines.
Although adware generates intrusive online advertisements, fake search engines also cause unwanted browser redirects and generate bogus search results. Intrusive ads and dubious search results often redirect to malicious websites.
Therefore, if you continually observe ads that do not originate from your visited websites, or you continually encounter unwanted browser redirects to various unrecognized websites, uninstall all suspicious applications immediately.
FixIt shares similarities with Win Tune Pro, PCBackupWizard, Ad Stopper, and many other applications also offering a number of so-called 'valuable functions'. The real purpose of potentially unwanted programs is to generate revenue for the developers and, thus, most are useless for regular users.
Rather than enabling any useful functionality, PUPs cause unwanted browser redirects (to generate traffic for certain websites), gather personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties), and display various intrusive online advertisements (via the 'Pay Per Click' [PPC] advertising model).
How did FixIt install on my computer?
FixIt is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, it is also distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of PUPs with regular software/apps). Therefore many users install FixIt inadvertently.
Bundled applications are often concealed within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of download or installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section, can lead to inadvertent installation of bogus apps including FixIt. Developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed PUPs and, thus, these installations are rarely disclosed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
There are two main steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, closely analyze each step of the download/installation procedures using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Secondly, decline all offers to download/install additional programs and opt-out of those already included.
FixIt PUP installation set-up:
Screenshot of FixIt application:
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Quick menu:
- What is FixIt?
- STEP 1. Uninstall FixIt application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove unwanted add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove unwanted extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
FixIt PUP removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "FixIt", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes FixIt ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove FixIt adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, FixIt did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the potentially unwanted program fixit, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the potentially unwanted program fixit, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with potentially unwanted program fixit removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the potentially unwanted program fixit, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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