How to remove Whiz Reader adware and the ads it delivers?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Whiz Reader?
Whiz Reader is a browser extension endorsed as a tool to aid reading by increasing website legibility through highlighted text. However, this piece of software operates as adware; it delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns and collects browsing-related information.
Since most users download/install adware unintentionally, products within this classification are also deemed to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and other third-party graphical content - on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The delivered advertisements are more than just a minor annoyance.
They severely diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpages and limiting the browsing speed. Furthermore, these ads promote various sale-oriented, rogue, untrustworthy, misleading, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites.
Some intrusive adverts can even be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily. What is more, Whiz Reader has data tracking abilities.
Targeted information includes: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable details, etc. Adware developers monetize the collected data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties, intent on misusing it for financial gain.
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices - can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | Ads by Whiz Reader |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Browser Extension(s) | Whiz Reader |
Supposed Functionality | Website text highlighting |
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. |
Movies Hunt, New Tab Explorer — Explore the Web on New Tab, Steam Sheriff, and Free Xbox Codes 2021- Xbox Gift card codes are a few examples of adware. This software seldom appears suspicious, it tends to look legitimate and harmless.
Users are lured into download/installation with offers of a wide variety of "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, despite how good the promised functions may sound - they are usually nonoperational.
This applies to practically all PUAs. The sole aim of unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality and user privacy are irrelevant. PUAs operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, force-opening unreliable and malicious websites, modifying browsers (browser hijackers), and gathering private data.
How did Whiz Reader install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g., Whiz Reader) have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased. These applications are also distributed via download/installation setups of other programs.
"Bundling" is the name of this false marketing tactic - packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions. Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements are used to spread PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources.
Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content. Download and installation processes must be treated with caution.
Therefore, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and decline downloading/installing additional apps, tools, functions, and so on. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable webpages (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with Whiz Reader, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Whiz Reader adware asking permission to track data:
Whiz Reader adware promoting website:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Whiz Reader?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Whiz Reader application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Whiz Reader ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Whiz Reader' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Whiz Reader extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove Whiz Reader adware from Internet Explorer.
Whiz Reader 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 "Whiz Reader", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Whiz Reader ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Whiz Reader adware from 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 "Whiz Reader", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by whiz reader, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Whiz Reader".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by whiz reader 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 whiz reader, 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 "Whiz Reader", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by whiz reader, 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.
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