WinWiki Adware

What is WinWiki?

WinWiki is a deceptive application that originates from Healthcare Gov Tool adware. It claims to significantly improve the Internet browsing experience, however, this application infiltrates systems without users’ permission, and therefore, is categorized as a potentially unwanted adware-type program. Following successful infiltration, WinWiki delivers intrusive online advertisements.

WinWiki employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, and other similar advertisements, none of which originate from users' visited web pages. These third party ads overlay website content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Furthermore, ads generated by WinWiki may lead to infectious sites, and thus, clicking them can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.

Applications such as this also collect various Internet browsing data (usually Internet Protocol [IP] addresses, geolocation, Internet service provider (ISP), website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) Be aware that that some of this information might contain personally identifiable details that are shared with third parties.

Thus, having adware-type applications installed on your system will cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall WinWiki adware immediately.

This application shares many similarities with other adware-type applications such as Rocket Media Player, Emotypecon, and PushOK. Adware-type applications intentionally give fake promises to trick users to install. In fact, none the functionality promised is delivered.

The purpose of these apps is to generate as much revenue for the developers as possible. Rather than enabling 'useful' features, WinWiki and other similar applications, deliver intrusive online advertisements and collect personally identifiable information.

How did WinWiki install on my computer?

As mentioned above, WinWiki is distributed as a 'bundle' with Healthcare Gov Tool adware. Research shows that many users are unaware that the developers of bogus applications intentionally conceal them within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' download/installation settings.

For this reason, users rush the download and installation processes and skip most/all steps, thereby inadvertently installing PUPs and exposing their systems to risk of further infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Deceptive adware-type applications are often concealed, and therefore, only by paying close attention during the download and installation procedures will you be able to protect your system. These processes must be performed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, otherwise applications such as WinWiki will remain concealed and you will not be able to cancel them.

Deceptive free software installer used in WinWiki adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove WinWiki adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WinWiki 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 winwiki ads, 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 winwiki ads, 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 winwiki ads 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 winwiki ads, 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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