Ads by TermCoach
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is TermCoach?
Developed by a company of the same name, TermCoach is a dubious application identical to PhraseProfessor, WordShark, Word Surfer, and other apps.
According to the developers, TermCoach supposedly improves the Internet browsing experience by enabling text search and translation features - "TermCoach 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 TermCoach will show the Wikipedia and Bing results in an in-page window."
Some users are tricked into believing that TermCoach is a legitimate and useful application. In fact, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. Following successful infiltration without users' consent, TermCoach delivers intrusive online ads and gathers various user/system information.
TermCoach employs a virtual layer, which allows display of third party graphical content on any website visited. TermCoach displays in-text, coupons, price comparison, and other similar advertisements that conceal the underlying content, thereby decreasing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, these ads may redirect to harmful sites containing infectious content - clicking them can lead to further computer infections. TermCoach continually monitors Internet browsing activity and gathers various information (such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, cookies, browser type, etc.) and shares it with third parties.
Some data can contain personally identifiable details (for example, PayPal account login/passwords), and therefore, having TermCoach installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall TermCoach immediately.
TermCoach Privacy Policy regarding data 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.
Be aware that adware-type applications have similar characteristics. For instance, TermCoach, DigiSaver, Playthru Player, DownSave, SkyeMoji, and App Lid also claim to enable various features to supposedly improve Internet browsing. Despite this, all display advertisements and collect various information.
Adware-type applications such as TermCoach are developed to generate revenue - they provide no significant value for the user.
How did TermCoach install on my computer?
As with regular adware, TermCoach is often distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software. Many users are unaware that the developers intentionally hide installation of bogus applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings.
By skipping this section, users inadvertently expose their systems to risk of infection. The developers are concerned only with the amount of revenue generated, and thus, do not properly disclose installation of rogue apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Closely inspect each step of the software download and installation procedures, declining all offers to download or install third party programs. Use the 'Custom' or 'Download' options, 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 when downloading and installing software and do not rush the processes.
Deceptive free software installer used in TermCoach adware distribution:
TermCoach adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Ads by TermCoach'):
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Quick menu:
- What is TermCoach?
- STEP 1. Uninstall TermCoach application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove TermCoach adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove TermCoach ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by TermCoach' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove TermCoach ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
TermCoach 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 "TermCoach 1.10.0.21", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes TermCoach ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove TermCoach adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, TermCoach 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 termcoach 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 termcoach 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 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 termcoach 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 termcoach 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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