How to remove Auto Play adware from a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Auto Play?
Auto Play is a browser extension that our team discovered while inspecting a deceptive website instructing us to add this extension to continue watching a video. After adding this app to a browser, we learned that it functions as adware - it shows annoying advertisements. Thus, we recommend not to trust the Auto Play app.
Auto Play in detail
Usually, apps like Auto Play generate pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other advertisements. Clicking on those ads can lead to potentially malicious sites, various scams, phishing pages, download pages for untrustworthy apps, etc. Also, those ads can be designed to run certain scripts to download or even install unwanted apps.
We also found that Auto Play can read and change all data on all websites. Its developers may misuse accessed information for malicious purposes. Thus, having Auto Play added to a web browser not only diminishes the Internet browsing experience but can cause problems related to online privacy and browsing safety.
| Name | Ads by Auto Play |
| Threat Type | Adware |
| Symptoms | Your computer becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| 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
The main problem with having adware installed on the operating system/added to a browser is that it bombards users with annoying advertisements that can open untrustworthy pages. Also, adware can manipulate the settings of a browser (change them to promote some fake search engine) and collect data. Thus, any added/installed adware should be removed as soon as possible.
More adware examples are Healthy, Strength, and colors scale.
How did adware install on my computer?
We found that Auto Play can be added to a browser after following the instructions on a deceptive page (a screenshot of that page is provided below). In other cases, adware gets installed via shady advertisements and software bundles (certain installers).
Installers containing adware have "Advanced", "Manual", "Custom", or similar settings (or ticked checkboxes). Adware gets installed alongside other software after finishing the installation without changing those settings (deselecting optional installations).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from official websites and stores. Do not use P2P networks, unofficial websites, third-party downloaders, and similar sources to download them. Check downloaders and installers for settings that can be used to deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing software.
Do not trust advertisements appearing on questionable pages (e.g., torrent sites, adult pages). If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive website instructing to add Auto Play adware to a browser:
Official download page for Auto Play 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 Auto Play?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. 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 unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the unwanted application, 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 Auto Play adware using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Auto Play" and other suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by auto play, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by auto play 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 auto play, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can diminish the web browsing experience, slow down a computer, invade privacy, manipulate the settings of a web browser, and cause other issues.
What does adware do?
As a rule, software of this type displays unwanted advertisements. It can have additional functions. For example, it can promote a fake search engine and collect information about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, they participate in affiliate programs to promote various products, websites, services, etc. In some cases, they use other ways to monetize adware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Auto Play adware?
Combo Cleaner will remove adware from the operating system or web browser. In some cases, when adware is removed manually, files or other components belonging to adware remain hiding in the operating system even after the removal. Combo Cleaner removes adware without leaving anything behind.
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