WiseFolderLock Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is WiseFolderLock?
WiseFolderLock is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to lock various folders. Judging on appearance alone, WiseFolderLock may appear legitimate and useful, however, this app infiltrates systems without consent.
Furthermore, it delivers intrusive online advertisements and records information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, WiseFolderLock is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.
To deliver intrusive advertisements, WiseFolderLock employs a 'virtual layer' - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, they might redirect to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Be aware that WiseFolderLock records URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and other similar information.
This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal details to generate revenue. Thus, the presence of an information-tracking app may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall WiseFolderLock adware immediately.
There are hundreds of adware-type applications virtually identical to WiseFolderLock including BestZiper, Yeaplayer, and Navigate Pro. These are just some examples from many. All adware offers functionality to supposedly enhance the browsing experience in some way, however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
The only purpose of all adware is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value. Adware-type applications merely deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record various user-system information.
How did WiseFolderLock install on my computer?
WiseFolderLock is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also proliferate it by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.
Aware of this, they hide bundled applications within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures. Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications such as as WiseFolderLock.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when downloading and installing software. Closely analyze each step within the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline offers to download/install additional applications.
Deceptive free software installer distributing WiseFolderLock adware:
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Quick menu:
- What is WiseFolderLock?
- STEP 1. Uninstall WiseFolderLock application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove WiseFolderLock adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove WiseFolderLock ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by WiseFolderLock' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove WiseFolderLock extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
WiseFolderLock 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 "wisefolderlock", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes WiseFolderLock ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove WiseFolderLock adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, WiseFolderLock 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 ads by wisefolderlock, 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 ads by wisefolderlock, 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 ads by wisefolderlock 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 ads by wisefolderlock, 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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