Wallpaper Changer Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Wallpaper Changer?
Created by a company called Digital Distribution, the Wallpaper Changer app claims to display Facebook or Twitter photos on the user's desktop.
While some users may find this functionality useful, the Wallpaper Changer application is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application since it infiltrates computers via a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Computer users often install Wallpaper Changer inadvertently without their consent when downloading free software.
After successful installation, this program diminishes browser performance and generates intrusive ads for additional content, software, or services (labelled as "Ads by Wallpaper Changer").
Computer users should be aware that Wallpaper Changer is not technically a virus or malware, however, clicking ads generated by this browser add-on may lead to security infections. This plug-in may also lead to privacy issues since it tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
Wallpaper Changer adware is similar to other potentially unwanted applications, which install together with free software downloaded from the Internet. Examples include Yawtix, Savings Hen, Bubble Dock, and MarkKit. These browser plug-ins add no real value, and therefore, to avoid installation of such adware, be attentive when downloading freeware.
Today, most free software download websites employ deceptive 'download clients' offering installation of promoted browser plug-ins together with the chosen freeware. Download clients are used to monetize free services provided by freeware download websites, and while these are mostly legitimate, they often cause unwilling installation of adware.
When downloading free software, opt-out of installation of any promoted browser plug-ins by clicking the 'decline' button. Computer users who observe Wallpaper Changer ads when surfing the Internet, should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browser/s.
Screenshot of Facebook desktop changer application:
Deceptive free software installer used in Wallpaper Changer adware distribution:
Wallpaper Changer displaying pop-up ads on the user's desktop:
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Quick menu:
- What is Wallpaper Changer?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Wallpaper Changer application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Wallpaper Changer ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Ads by Wallpaper Changer from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Wallpaper Changer adware extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Wallpaper Changer extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Wallpaper Changer 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 "Wallpaper Changer", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs (which cause Wallpaper Changer ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
At time of research, Wallpaper Changer adware was distributed using the Start Install freeware installer. This deceptive free software installer is known to distribute the following applications: ArcadeParlor, Yawtix, The Sea App, Search Protect, and Boost. If you notice any of these applications within the "uninstall or change program" window, uninstall them immediately.
Remove Wallpaper Changer ads from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 browser add-ons and remove them. Note that by default, there should be no browser extensions.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the facebook or twitter wallpaper changer virus, 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.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed (potentially unwanted) browser add-ons and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the facebook or twitter wallpaper changer virus, 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 any recently-installed add-ons. Note that by default, the extensions list in Firefox is empty.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with facebook or twitter wallpaper changer virus 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 facebook or twitter wallpaper changer virus, 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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