HdqPlayer Adware

What is hdqPlayer?

hdqPlayer is presented as a legitimate video player that allows users to create playlists and play various video formats - "hdqPlayer is the right program for you. Made by video lovers for video lovers, it is designed to let you easily create playlists on your PC using online and offline media."

At first glance, this app may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP), since it infiltrates systems without users' permission, displays intrusive online adverts, and collects Internet browsing-related information.

hdqPlayer displays various WebBrowser advertisements such as banners and pop-ups. These advertisements may seem harmless, since they redirect to various (often unknown) websites. Users might also be redirected to bogus websites containing infectious content, and therefore, clicking them can result in high-risk computer infections.

Some ads open in new browser tabs or windows, thus increasing the chance of accidental user clicks. In addition, hdqPlayer continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity and collect various information that may contain personally identifiable data.

These details are later shared with third parties, and therefore, having an information-tracking app installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall hdqPlayer from your system.

hdqPlayer is identical to ViPlayer and FusionPlayer, and also very similar to The Results Hub, CloudScout, Cool Browser, and hundreds of other adware-type apps claiming to improve the Internet browsing experience in various ways.

Despite these claims, they merely display intrusive online advertisements and collect personally identifiable information to generate revenue for the developers. Adware provides no real value for the user.

How did hdqPlayer install on my computer?

hdqPlayer usually infiltrates the system during installation of regular (mostly free) software. Adware-type apps are often distributed using the 'bundling' method (stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software), and since many users do not pay enough attention when downloading/installing software, this method is very effective.

Users commonly skip the 'Custom/Advanced' installation settings, unaware that bogus apps are usually concealed within this section, thus exposing the system to risk of infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

All software should be downloaded from the official website. If, however, you are using a freeware download manager, follow each step and decline offers to install additional software.

Furthermore, apps should be installed using the 'Custom/Advanced' settings - this will reveal any third party software listed for installation and allow you to opt out. The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush the download/installation processes, pay close attention, and closely observe each step.

Intrusive online WebBrowser advertisements displayed by hdqPlayer:

Screenshot of hdqPlayer application:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove hdqPlayer adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, hdqPlayer 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 ads by hdqplayer, 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 ads by hdqplayer, 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". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by hdqplayer 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 hdqplayer, 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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