Wizzcaster Ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Wizzcaster?
Wizzcaster is an advertising network used by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These apps often infiltrate systems without users' consent (bundling method). Following infiltration, adware-type applications such as these continually track Internet browsing activity and display various intrusive online advertisements.
Adware-type applications generate pop-up ads using a 'virtual layer' - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the displayed advertisements often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
Clicking these ads redirects users to wizzcaster.com, which, in turn, redirects users to other websites that often contain malicious content. Therefore, clicking them is risky and can result in further computer infections. Another downside is information tracking.
Research shows that potentially unwanted programs gather IP addresses, geo-locations, Internet service providers (ISPs), URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, mouse/keyboard activity, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable.
Be aware that developers share this information with third parties (usually cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal details. Thus, the presence of information-tracking apps on your system might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. All should be uninstalled immediately.
The Internet is full of adware-type applications, all of which are virtually identical. By offering a variety of 'useful features', apps such as MyMemory, Zwhip, SavingsCool, and hundreds of others, attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, the only purpose of adware is to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, potentially unwanted programs deliver intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model) and continually gather personal information (which is later sold to third parties).
How did adware install on my computer?
Some PUPs have official download websites, however, most are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, users often install these apps inadvertently, without their consent. Bundling is stealth installation of third party software with regular applications.
Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Users often rush and skip this section, thereby exposing their systems to risk of various infections.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and cancel offers to download or install them.
Wizzcaster pop-up advertisements (GIF):
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Quick menu:
- What is Wizzcaster?
- STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove pop-up ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware 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 any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Wizzcaster ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from 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 wizzcaster pop-up ads, 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 wizzcaster pop-up ads, 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 wizzcaster pop-up ads 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 wizzcaster pop-up ads, 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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