How to remove Word Counter Widget from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Word Counter Widget?
Our team has tested the Word Counter Widget browser extension and found that it displays intrusive advertisements. Thus, we classified Word Counter Widget as adware. Adware is often promoted and distributed using deceptive or other questionable methods. We discovered Word Counter Widget on a shady web page.
Word Counter Widget in detail
Word Counter Widget is promoted as an app that counts words on websites. However, its description does not mention that it shows various ads. It is common for advertising-supported applications (especially the ones promoted and distributed using dubious methods) to be designed to show untrustworthy ads.
Clicking advertisements displayed by Word Counter Widget may open web pages designed to trick visitors into providing sensitive information, downloading potentially malicious apps, calling fake technical support numbers, etc. Moreover, it may cause unexpected downloads and installations.
We also learned that Word Counter Widget can read and change data on all websites. Its developers may be using it to gather browsing-related and (or) other information. Obtained data may be misused for marketing purposes, sold to third parties, or monetized in other ways.
| Name | Ads by Word Counter Widget |
| 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. |
More about adware
Some advertising-supported applications have additional functionality. They can hijack web browsers by changing their settings. They do so to promote shady search engines. Usually, users cannot remove a fake search engine from the settings of the hijacked browser while an app that has hijacked it is added.
More examples of apps that show ads too are Word Counter, One Click Image Downloader, and Link Locator.
How did adware install on my computer?
One of the websites promoting Word Counter Widget offers users to install "Free Downloader Extension". Word Counter Widget gets added to a web browser after completing the steps provided on that page, and the page that gets opened after clicking the "ACCEPT AND CONTINUE" button.
Advertising-supported can also be included as optional installations in installers for other (mostly free) programs. Users install adware alongside other software when they finish installations without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or unticking checkboxes.
Sometimes, unwanted installations are caused by clicking deceptive advertisements.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from official pages and verified stores. Always read reviews before downloading apps. Avoid downloads from shady pages, P2P networks, free file hosting sites, etc. Check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps and deselect them before finishing downloads and installations. Do not trust ads and links on dubious web 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.
A deceptive page promoting Word Counter Widget:
Another page promoting Word Counter Widget:
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 Word Counter Widget?
- 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 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 "Word Counter Widget" and other suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by word counter widget, 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 word counter widget 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 word counter widget, 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by word counter widget or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
The most common problems caused by adware are diminished web browsing experience and a decrease in the system's performance. Also, adware can cause issues related to online privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware bombards users with intrusive advertisements. Additionally, it can be used to promote fake search engines and collect data about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Typically, adware developers generate revenue by promoting various products, websites, services, etc. Most of them participate in affiliate programs to monetize adware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Word Counter Widget adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system for adware-type applications and remove them. It is recommended to remove adware using specialized apps. Manual removal does not always work - file leftovers may remain in the system even after the removal.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion