PenWes Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PenWes?
PenWes is a deceptive application that supposedly enhances internet performance. Its appearance suggests that this app is legitimate and useful, however, PenWes is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
The main reasons for these negative associations are: tracking of browsing activity; display of intrusive advertisements; modification of DNS settings, and; infiltration without users' consent.
After successful system infiltration, PenWes gathers information relating to web browsing activity. Recorded information (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) usually includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people misuse private information to generate revenue.
Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. PenWes is also notorious for display of intrusive advertisements. These adware-type apps usually generate coupons, banners, pop-ups, and other similar ads using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.
The ads might also conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, they may also redirect to infectious websites and run scripts that download/install malware. Thus, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. You are strongly advised to eliminate PenWes adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by PenWes |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many adware-type applications similar to PenWes. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) HiDef Media Player, vSnapShot, Safety Keeper, and VKOKAdBlock. As with PenWes, most of these apps also claim to enable "useful functionality", however, adware-type apps typically have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
Most provide no real value for regular users. Adware delivers intrusive advertisements and records personal data, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety.
How did PenWes install on my computer?
PenWes has an official download website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, this app often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and the aforementioned intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party apps with regular software.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users rush these procedures, skip steps, and click various advertisements. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Regular users are often responsible for infiltration of apps such as PenWes. Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for these computer infections. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software.
Analyze download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, opt-out of third party applications, and decline offers to download/install them. You are advised to download software from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps and thus these tools should never be used.
Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, since developers invest time and money into their design, however, they often redirect to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. If you experience these ads, eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
If your computer is already infected with PenWes, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
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Quick menu:
- What is PenWes?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PenWes application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PenWes adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove PenWes ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by PenWes' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove PenWes extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PenWes 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 "PenWes", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes PenWes ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove PenWes adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, PenWes 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 penwes, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by penwes, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by penwes 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 penwes, 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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Outstanding!
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