FREETHEMEDIA Player Adware

What is FREETHEMEDIA Player?

According to the developers, FREETHEMEDIA Player is a legitimate cross-platform media player - "FREETHEMEDIA player is a cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files and DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols".

These false claims often trick users to install, however, be aware that FREETHEMEDIA Player is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. This application infiltrates systems without users’ permission, gathers information regarding users' web browsing activity, and continually delivers intrusive online advertisements.

To generate intrusive online advertisements, FREETHEMEDIA Player employs a 'virtual layer'. This tool enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. None of the ads generated originate from users' visited websites and often overlay underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

In addition, some may lead to malicious websites - clicking them might cause further high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, FREETHEMEDIA Player continually records information relating to Internet browsing activity including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, and other similar data.

This may seem insignificant, however, the data will contain personally identifiable details that are later shared with third party companies (who often misuse users' private data to generate revenue). This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues. Therefore, we strongly advise you to uninstall FREETHEMEDIA Player immediately.

Research shows that FREETHEMEDIA Player is similar to WizzScreen, 4zip, and hundreds of other adware-type applications. All claim to provide 'valuable functionality' to trick users to install - in fact, these apps deliver no real value for users. 

The purpose of adware-type programs is simply to generate revenue for the developers by causing unwanted browser redirects and continually gathering personally identifiable information.

How did FREETHEMEDIA Player install on my computer?

FREETHEMEDIA Player has an official download website, however, developers distribute this PUP using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Thus, many users install the app inadvertently. Developers hide all potentially unwanted programs within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of the download or installation procedures.

By skipping this section, users inadvertently install PUPs such as FREETHEMEDIA Player. Developers' revenue is dependent on the volume of adware distributed and, therefore, these installations are never properly disclosed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid this situation, express caution. Closely analyze each step using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Furthermore, decline all offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of those already included. Bundled software is mostly rogue and, thus, should never be installed.

Deceptive free software installer distributing FREETHEMEDIA Player adware:

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Quick menu:

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

FREETHEMEDIA Player 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 "FREETHEMEDIA Player", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove FREETHEMEDIA Player adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, FREETHEMEDIA Player 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 freethemedia player 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 freethemedia player 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 freethemedia player 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 freethemedia player 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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