WindowPolicies Adware

What is WindowPolicies?

WindowPolicies is a deceptive adware-type application developed by Haho Media. This application usually infiltrates systems without users’ permission. Therefore, it is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Once infiltrated, WindowPolicies generates intrusive online advertisements, and collects various information relating to users' web browsing activity.

This adware employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements. Ads generated by this adware do not originate from users' visited websites and, therefore, underlying web content is mostly concealed. By delivering content-overlaying advertisements, WindowPolicies significantly diminish the web browsing experience.

Furthermore, the displayed advertisements might lead to potentially malicious websites containing infectious content - clicking them can lead to further adware or malware infections.

Another downside of this PUP is data tracking. WindowPolicies continually monitors users' web browsing activity by gathering various system/user information that might be personally identifiable, and later shared with third parties. Personally identifiable information is often misused in this way to generate revenue.

Therefore, the presence of a data-tracking app such as WindowPolicies on your system can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall this PUP immediately.

Research shows that there are hundreds of other PUPs similar to WindowPolicies. These applications also infiltrate systems without users' consent and have identical behavior.

Adware is designed only to generates revenue for the developers. Rather than providing any value for regular users, apps such as Hahomedia, Friv Launcher, Sale Planet, and Open Hardware Monitor simply collect private data and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did WindowPolicies install on my computer?

WindowPolicies is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.

Most bundled programs are hidden within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of the download or installation processes (since many users do not pay enough attention during these procedures). Skipping this section commonly leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted third party applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Installation of apps such as WindowPolicies is mostly hidden. Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze the download/installation procedures using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Follow each step and opt-out of all additionally-included programs listed for download/installation.

WindowPolicies adware installer set-up:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove WindowPolicies adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WindowPolicies 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 windowpolicies 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 windowpolicies 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 windowpolicies 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 windowpolicies 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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