How to eliminate Player adware and the advertisements it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Player?
During a routine inspection of deceptive websites, our researchers discovered an installer containing the "Player" app. Our investigation revealed that this piece of software operates as adware. In other words, Player runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and may have other harmful functionalities.
Player adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. The delivered adverts promote online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is noteworthy that any genuine content encountered through these ads is most likely endorsed by scammers abusing its affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not deliver adverts if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, particular webpages not visited, etc.). However, even if Player does not run intrusive ad campaigns – its presence endangers device/user safety regardless.
Furthermore, this application may have data-tracking abilities. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like Player on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Player |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Detection Names (installer) | Webroot (32.Adware.Gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (app) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Rogue Process Name | nwjs (process name may vary) |
| 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). |
| 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 examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware-type apps; Ads Blocker Pro, Tabs Organizer for Chrome, Download pro, and Price Tracking Pro are merely some examples.
This software typically looks legitimate and harmless. It also commonly offers "handy" and "advantageous" features, which are rarely operational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as promised – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Player install on my computer?
We downloaded an installer bundled with Player from a deceptive webpage. In addition to such sites, adware can have "official" promotional pages. Most users access these websites via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
Advertising-supported software can also be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate adware as well. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. It is just as important to approach installation with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" setting, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Player, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of Player adware's process ("nwjs") in Windows Task Manager:
Screenshot of a deceptive website used to promote Player adware:
Screenshot of Player adware's installation setup:
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 Player?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Player application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Player 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 "Player", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Player ads), 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:
At time of research, Player did not install browser plug-ins on Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it may be 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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by player, 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 player 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 player, 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 player or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It typically has data-tracking functionalities – hence, this software is deemed to be a threat to user privacy. Additionally, adware displays ads promoting deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., displaying ads on various interfaces. Furthermore, some adware-types can force-open sites and gather private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue primarily through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, software, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Player adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected adware-type apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. Since even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various leftovers (files) can remain hidden within the systems. Furthermore, the remnants can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, adware must be eliminated thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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