Pass and Play Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Pass and Play?
Pass and Play is a deceptive application developed by SuperWeb LLC. It claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by providing a number of valuable features - "We're passionate about improving web by providing the best tools to enhance the browsing experience, from searching the web to comparing online deals to find the best prices.
We've combined all of our great ideas into the Pass and Play product suite, a FREE set of tools that work to make your browsing experience... better!" These misleading claims often trick users into believing that Pass and Play is legitimate, however, this application is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Following successful infiltration without users' consent, Pass and Play generates intrusive online advertisements and collects various information regarding Internet browsing activity.
This PUP employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, coupon, banner, interstitial, transitional, full-page, search, and other similar advertisements not originating from users' visited websites. Underlying content is often concealed and the Internet browsing experience, significantly diminished.
Some advertisements lead to malicious websites often containing infectious content - clicking them risks further adware or malware infections. In addition, Pass and Play records search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, unique identifier numbers, IP addresses, and other similar web browsing-related data.
Some of this information will be personally identifiable and shared with third parties who often misuse private data to generate revenue. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall Pass and Play immediately.
Pass and Play Privacy Policy statement regarding data collection:
We only share or sell your non-public personal information with non-affiliated third parties when we believe doing so is permitted by you or authorized by this Privacy Policy. In addition, the Company may share your personal information with our parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies without restriction.
Research results show that SuperWeb LLC has released several hundred of PUPs identical to Pass and Play. Pop Bubbles, Great Hub, and Sharp Angle are just some examples from a long list.
All are presented as legitimate software, however, rather than providing the functionality promised, Pass and Play (and other apps developed by this company) generate intrusive ads and track personal data. Their purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Users receive no real value.
How did Pass and Play install on my computer?
Most users install this application inadvertently. This is due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of PUPs with regular software) used to distribute Pass and Play. Developers conceal bundled software within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of the download/installation processes.
Users who skip this section often install bogus software such as Pass and Play inadvertently. Developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed PUPs and, therefore, they rarely disclose these installations properly.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent installation of adware, be very attentive. Closely analyze the download and installation processes using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Furthermore, decline all offers to download or install additional software, since bundled programs are often malicious.
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Quick menu:
- What is Pass and Play?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Pass and Play application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Pass and Play adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Pass and Play ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Pass and Play' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Pass and Play ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Pass and Play 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 "Pass and Play", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Pass and Play ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Pass and Play adware from 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 "Pass and Play", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by pass and play, 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 "Pass and Play", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by pass and play, 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 "Pass and Play".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by pass and play 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 pass and play, 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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Outstanding!
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