PhraseProfessor Adware

What is PhraseProfessor?

PhraseProfessor is a deceptive browser extension identical to Clever Search, WordAnchor, Word Surfer, WordShark, and other add-ons.

As with all of these plug-ins, PhraseProfessor claims to enable a feature allowing users to search and translate text - "PhraseProfessor is an ad-supported software utility that makes searching and translating information you find online easy. Take any text you see online, highlight it, and PhraseProfessor will show the Wikipedia and Bing results in an in-page window."

These claims may trick some users into believing that Phrase professor is a legitimate and useful application, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The reason for these negative associations is dubious behavior exhibited by this plug-in: stealth installation, display of intrusive online ads (commonly marked as 'Ads by PP'), and tracking of Internet browsing activity.

PhraseProfessor uses a virtual layer, which allows the display of various graphical content on any visited website. The displayed ads (in-text, coupons, price comparison, etc.) conceal the underlying content, and therefore, diminish the Internet browsing experience.

Although these ads may seem harmless, there is a chance that they will lead to bogus websites containing infectious content, thereby causing further computer infections. Furthermore, PhraseProfessor continually monitors Internet browsing activity and collects various software and hardware information.

The collected data can contain personally identifiable information such as PayPal or bank account details, which the developers of PhraseProfessor later share with third parties and misuse to generate revenue. This situation can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, you are strongly advised to uninstall PhraseProfessor from your system.

PhraseProfessor Privacy Policy regarding information sharing:

In addition to the uses described above, we also share, transfer, or license your user and use information to third parties to store and analyze the data, provide search results and associated advertising, provide hosting services and customer support services.

As well as the aforementioned add-ons, PhraseProfessor is also very similar to AllCheapPrice, PCandMobileGames, Fusion Browser, Zoomify, and hundreds of other deceptive adware-type browser plug-ins. All adware claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience, however, none provides any real value for users.

Adware-type apps are designed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did PhraseProfessor install on my computer?

The developers of PhraseProfessor employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install this adware without users' consent. Bundling is stealth installation of additional applications with the chosen software. Many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing software.

This makes bundling popular and effective, since developers hide installation of potentially unwanted programs within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By skipping this section, users inadvertently install apps such as PhraseProfessor.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Avoid adware-type computer infections by taking a number of simple measures. Firstly, follow each step of the free software download procedure and ensure that no third party applications are downloaded.

Furthermore, never rush the installation procedure and use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The key to computer safety is caution. Pay close attention during the download and installation procedures.

Deceptive free software installers used in phrase professor adware distribution:

PhraseProfessor adware installer setup:

PhraseProfessor adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Ads by PhraseProfessor'):

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Quick menu:

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

PhraseProfessor 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 "PhraseProfessor 1.10.0.21", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove PhraseProfessor ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, PhraseProfessor 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 phraseprofessor, 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 phraseprofessor, 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 phraseprofessor 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 phraseprofessor, 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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