Ads by WordFly

What is WordFly?

WordFly is a dubious application claiming to improve the Internet browsing experience by enabling Internet searches directly from any web page when selecting text or a phrase. Note that the adware is not related to a legitimate application called WordFly (a digital messaging application for business).

Some users may find this browser plug-in legitimate and useful, however, WordFly is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The reason for these negative associations is a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed in WordFly adware distribution.

Bundling is a way to stealthily install third party apps together with regular software, and therefore, users often install WordFly inadvertently on systems without their consent.

After successful installation on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, WordFly generates various online advertisements including pop-up, coupon, and banner ads. Some of these redirect users to bogus websites, thereby exposing computers to risk of infection.

Furthermore, WordFly tracks users' Internet browsing activity and gathers a cluster of information types including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine users' geographic locations), unique identifier numbers, operating system, browser type, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, browsing history, and browser language.

These are just some examples from a long list of information types collected by this adware. It is highly probable that some of this information will contain personally identifiable details, and therefore, the presence of WordFly adware on your system might cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Many adware applications have similar or identical behavior. For instance, System-Checker, Find-A-Deal, and Rapid Media Converter also offer various 'useful features', however, rather than providing any significant value, these adware applications simply generate intrusive online ads and share collected data with third parties. You are strongly advised to uninstall WordFly from your system immediately.

Most popular freeware download websites such as soft32.com, softonic.com, and download.com monetize their traffic and free services using small download programs (also called 'installers', 'download managers', 'download clients', etc.) that offer installation of third party applications together with the chosen software.

Although these advertised apps are described as '100% legitimate and virus-free', reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections. To avoid this situation, pay close attention during download of free software and ensure that no third party apps are included.

In addition, programs downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If you have installed WordFly adware, the following guidelines will help you to eliminate this PUP from your system.

Deceptive free software installers used in WordFly adware distribution:

Intrusive online advertisements generated by WordFly adware ('Ads by WordFly'):

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Quick menu:

• What is WordFly?
• STEP 1. Uninstall WordFly application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove WordFly adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove WordFly ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by WordFly' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove WordFly adware from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

WordFly 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 "WordFly", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes WordFly ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove wordfly adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WordFly did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was 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 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 suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the wordfly adware, 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 menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the wordfly adware, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with wordfly adware 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 wordfly adware, 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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