What Is PotPlayer Adware?
This article discusses the problems that occur in case of infection with PotPlayer Adware hijacker as well as supplies a complete guide on exactly how to eliminate dangerous data from the system and how to recover affected browsers.
In case you see the domain PotPlayer to tons during your routine surfing sessions, this is a warning that your computer system has actually been impacted by a potentially undesirable program. When this program locates a means to run its arrangement data on your system it might access settings of setting up internet browsers in order to change them as well as pirate target web browsers. This activity is similar to a browser hijacker, which is called MyShortcutTab. So after the changes occur the domain of this hijacker might be set to appear as web browser start a web page, new tab web page, and default search engine. Keep analysis as well as figure out just how to repair this concern.
PotPlayer PUP
Being a potentially undesirable program of web browser hijacker form PotPlayer is likely to be spread with the help of dubious techniques that aim to hide its visibility and trick users right into running its arrangement documents inadvertently. Amongst these methods are typically software program packing, damaged web pages, fake software update notices, as well as others.
Threat Summary
| Name | PotPlayer |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your PC. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PotPlayer. |
In the event that the PUP came down on your device via the technique software program bundling you may have installed it along with any type of desired and also allegedly useful cost-free third-party program. How you may installed it without discovering its existence in the installer of the preferred application. The minute of its installation is commonly missed out on by users that select to follow the normal setup steps. A chance that could aid you to avoid unattended installation of undesirable applications on your device is concealed in the Advanced/Custom arrangement step.
Once you obtain knowledgeable about all details provided there you might select wisely exactly how to act even more. In case you see some unneeded bonus, you might pull out their installation and also continue with the installation of the main application.
Frequently made use of web internet browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Net Traveler, Microsoft Side, Opera as well as Safari could be influenced by PotPlayer hijacker.
PotPlayer is categorized as web browser hijacker due to the questionable methods it utilizes to access computer system systems. The majority of the signed up instances of infection with this undesirable application suggest that its code is designed to change primary web browser setups in order to require afflicted uses into utilizing a doubtful search engine.
By replacing the begin pages, new tab pages and default search engines of target internet browsers with its domain name address, the hijacker leaves you without various other option yet to use its fraudulent services. Following alterations, its main page comes to be the very first one to fill in your recommended internet browser.
A deceptive visual combination of the style of this hijacker is Google’s logo design accompanied by the expression Custom Search. This trick is used by hijackers’ proprietors in an attempt to make you extra vulnerable to utilize the solutions of their fake search engine.
Nevertheless, the purpose of their item has nothing alike with the appropriate performance of its searching services. Being an undesirable program that infiltrates computer devices without customers’ expertise, PotPlayer largely intends to attain two objectives:.
1. To acquire data from affected web browsers and also systems.
2. To run the advertising and marketing scheme pay-per-click and also create earnings to its proprietors.
So as long as you are using the browsing services given by this hijacker you need to recognize that the outcomes it creates may not be the ones that fit best your search inquiry. Based upon your search query, however, the hijacker is most likely to present lots of sponsored lead to an effort to trick you right into seeing them. This could be clarified by the reality that each click an ad displayed by their program produces earnings for its proprietors.
What’s more, the advertisements might be available in different other shapes and types. Except search advertisements, PotPlayer hijacker could be generating great deals of aggravating pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, in-text web links, sliders, images, and so forth. Sadly, rather than working and also supply you important proposals these ads are most likely to subject your system in danger of drive-by download attacks caused by the websites they promote. So be careful which of them you see or better stay clear of visiting any type of.
As of data collection techniques related to PotPlayer hijacker, some of them could be assessed on its personal privacy policy page. And also here is what this program has the ability to get as well as transfer to its web servers as long as it is operating on your tool:
- Net procedure (IP) address.
- Surfing history.
- Browse queries.
- Sort of used internet browser.
Even if it’s not mentioned as a normal internet browser hijacker, PotPlayer might be also gathering:.
- The domain of existing Access provider (ISP).
- Diagnostic info which explains just how their Solutions are operating on the system.
- Web browser’s web page.
- Operating system type.
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The collection of delicate information could be explained by the fact that hijacker’s owners require it for the optimization of their marketing campaign. Another factor might be its marketing to third-parties of unidentified origin.
If you want to cleanse your computer and also protect against all concerns caused by PotPlayer you need to get rid of all documents associated with the program from the system and after that reset the setups of influenced internet browsers. See exactly how to go step-by-step through the elimination of this hijacker in the guide listed below.
Exactly How to Get rid of PotPlayer Browser Hijacker
In order to eliminate PotPlayer hijacker and all linked files that enable its look in the web browser, you need to finish all elimination actions below in their precise order. The elimination guide listed below presents both manual and automatic elimination steps. Be notified that only incorporated they can aid you to do away with this unwanted program as well as provide for the general safety of your gadget as well. Desire that files related to this hijacker may be kept with names various than PotPlayer.
If you have additional concerns or require extra help with the removal process, do not hesitate to leave us a remark under the article or contact us via email.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Mac OS X
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove PotPlayer from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for PotPlayer with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall PotPlayer and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by PotPlayer on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by PotPlayer there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for PotPlayer (Windows).
Get rid of PotPlayer from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PotPlayer and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to PotPlayer. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove PotPlayer via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove PotPlayer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PotPlayer, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for PotPlayer (Mac)
Remove PotPlayer from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase PotPlayer from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall PotPlayer from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove PotPlayer from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the PotPlayer will be removed.
Eliminate PotPlayer from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
PotPlayer-FAQ
What Is PotPlayer?
The PotPlayer threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of PotPlayer?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like PotPlayer?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does PotPlayer Work?
Once installed, PotPlayer can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
PotPlayer can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is PotPlayer Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the PotPlayer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PotPlayer how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on PotPlayer?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the PotPlayer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.