How to uninstall the ePedia adware from your operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is ePedia?
ePedia is a piece of untrustworthy software promoted as a tool for easy (desktop) access to Wikipedia - the multilingual open-collaborative online encyclopedia. However, this application operates as adware.
It runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and may have data tracking abilities. Most users download/install apps like ePedia unintentionally.
More about adware
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can deliver various pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive adverts.
These ads are more than just a nuisance, they are considered to be dangerous as well. Intrusive advertisements promote sale-oriented webpages (of both legitimate and fraudulent products), misleading, rogue, unreliable, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites.
Furthermore, some of the ads can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install software without user consent. Most adware-types can track data. Information of interest includes: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and other sensitive data.
The collected information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by ePedia |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Detection Names (ePedia installer) | Avast (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), AVG (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Adware.BookLot.A), K7AntiVirus (Adware ( 0057f0a71 )), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (ePedia application) | ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Adware.BookLot.A), K7AntiVirus (Adware ( 0057f0a71 )), K7GW (Adware ( 0057f0a71 )), Zillya (Adware.BookLot.Win32.1), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Supposed Functionality | Desktop access to Wikipedia |
| 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. |
Adware in general
InstaQuick, BookLot, YoutubeDownloader, Pictures Lab, and Mie Player are some examples of apps within the adware category. They appear legitimate and offer various functionalities.
However, despite how "handy" the features may sound, they are rarely operational. The only goal of such software is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are irrelevant.
Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, these apps can deliver intrusive advert campaigns, force-open unreliable and malicious websites, modify browsers (browser hijackers), and collect private information.
How did ePedia install on my computer?
Apps like ePedia often have "official" promotional/download webpages. These applications can also be downloaded/installed alongside other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate unwanted apps as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of adware?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources.
Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content.
Download and installation processes have to be treated with care. Therefore, it is advised to read terms, explore available options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, and so forth.
It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this type, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with ePedia, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of ePedia adware's installation setup:
Screenshot of the website used to promote ePedia adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is ePedia?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ePedia application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ePedia ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by ePedia' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove ePedia extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove ePedia adware from Internet Explorer.
ePedia 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 "ePedia", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes ePedia ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove ePedia adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, ePedia 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 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 epedia, 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 plugins 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 epedia 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 epedia, 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.
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 epedia, 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.
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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by epedia or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Having adware installed on a computer can slow it down. Also, it can diminish the web browsing experience (typically, adware displays ads that cover the contents of visited pages), or even invade privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware generates advertisements. It also can hijack a web browser (change its settings to promote a fake search engine) and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Usually, they participate in various affiliate programs to monetize adware. They use this software to promote various products, websites, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ePedia adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will eliminate adware from the operating system. In some cases, it is difficult to remove adware manually without leaving any files belonging to it in the system. Thus, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for adware (and other unwanted software) removal.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion