Ads by WikiTime

What is WikiTime?

WikiTime is a deceptive application claiming to allow access to Wikipedia directly from the desktop - "WikiTime is a computer-based application, enabling access to Wikipedia from your Desktop or Laptop device."

On initial inspection, this may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, WikiTime is an adware-type potentially unwanted program (PUP). The main reason for this negative association is stealth installation without users' consent, display of intrusive online advertisements, and tracking of Internet browsing activity.

WikiTime employs a virtual layer to display pop-up, banner, in-text, and other similar advertisements. This allows placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. None of the displayed ads originate from the visited sites. They also conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Some ads might redirect to rogue sites containing infectious content, and thus, clicking them can lead to further high-risk adware or malware infections.

Be aware that WikiTime collects various information that may contain personally identifiable details such as website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines (Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc.), Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic locations), and so on.

This gathered information is shared with third parties who can misuse it to generate revenue. Therefore, having WikiTime installed on your system may cause significant privacy issues. For this reason, you are strongly advised to uninstall WikiTime immediately.

WikiTime Privacy Policy regarding information sharing:

To share your information with third parties We may share or sell information with third parties for marketing or other purposes.

WikiTime is similar to hundreds of other adware-type applications also offering a variety of 'useful features'. For example, iDeals, FunFeedr, Shoppr, and DealGrabbers also claim to save time and money while shopping online. In fact, adware-type applications give these fake promises to trick users to install.

After successful system infiltration, they simply display advertisements and track personally identifiable information. WikiTime, and other similar apps, aim to generate as much revenue for the developers as possible, and thus, provide no real value for users.

How did WikiTime install on my computer?

Although WikiTime is available for the download on an official website, it usually infiltrates systems during the installation of other software. This software marketing method is called 'bundling', and since many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing software, it is extremely effective.

Developers intentionally hide applications such as WikiTime within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By skipping this section, users commonly install PUPs and expose their systems to risk of infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Pay close attention during download and installation of all applications. Closely analyze each step of these processes and decline all offers to install additional applications. To successfully perform a safe download or installation procedure, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any concealed PUPs listed for installation and enable you to cancel them.

Deceptive free software installers used in WikiTime adware distribution:

Screenshot of WikiTime application:

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Quick menu:

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

WikiTime 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 "WikiTime - Desktop Wikipedia for Desktop", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove WikiTime adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WikiTime 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 wikitime 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 wikitime 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 wikitime 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 wikitime 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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