This article aims to help you with the removal of Wallpapers Collection from affected browser and system. Follow the detailed guide to remove this nasty extension completely from your PC.
Wallpapers Collection is an intrusive browser extension that can land on your system without you noticing it. Once installed in the browser it urges you to use a dubious search engine by setting it as a default one. The extension is also able to read all your data on the websites you visit and replaces the page you see when you open a new browser tab. In case that you want to regain your online security, make sure to remove Wallpapers Collection as well as all associated files and objects entirely from your affected PC.
Threat Summary
| Name | Wallpapers Collection |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | A suspicious browser extension that installs a hijacker and delivers lots of advertisemets. |
| Symptoms | The homepage and new tab page of affected browsers display the hijacker associated with Wallpapers Collection search.wallpaperscollection.pro . Many advertisements flood the browser and make it sluggish. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Wallpapers Collection. |
Wallpapers Collection – Methods of Distribution
One of the channels used for the distribution of this nasty browser extension is its official website wallpaperscollection.pro. When you land on it, you can see a red button “Click Here” that once clicked triggers a pop-up that provides an option to install Wallpapers Collection.
The extension is also uploaded to Chrome Web Store where you can download it. Supposedly it is not the way you got it in your browser. Being considered to be an unwanted browser app, Wallpapers Collection is mainly attempting to land on your system without your knowledge. For the purpose, its owners are likely to spread it via software bundles, corrupted web pages and third-party installers. Such shady techniques of distribution grant the nasty program access to your PC by fooling you into installing it unnoticeably.
In case that you want to prevent an unnoticed intrusion of undesired programs like Wallpapers Collection, you surely need to be careful whenever you decide to install a new app on your PC, especially if it’s a free one. Many developers incorporate potentially unwanted programs into the installers of their free apps. As it is a suitable way for them to monetize their projects, they often skip providing more information about the existence of these extras. Luckily, sometimes more information could be found in the Advanced or Custom configuration options. By choosing them, you may be able to deselect the installation of all apps you don’t need and prevent nasty extensions like Wallpapers Collection from affecting your browser.
Wallpapers Collection targets primarily Google Chrome users. It may also affect other commonly used web browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
Wallpapers Collection – More About Its Impact
After the dubious Wallpapers Collection browser extension sneaks into your system, it initiates several modifications of your browser settings without asking for your permission. According to the results of our research among the functionalities of Wallpapers Collection are:
- To read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- To replace the page you see when opening a new tab
- To manage your apps, extensions and themes
As described on its official website wallpaperscollection.pro the extension is one that can only personalize your homepage with amazing browsing images. However, its functionalities allow it to hijack your browser completely. Apparently, this nasty extension aims to set an associated search engine as a default one so it can start to obtain certain details from your affected browser and spy on your online activities. After infection you start to see the domain search.wallpaperscollection.pro to appear on your homepage, new tab page and default search engine.
In fact, this search engine is a hoax one as each time you enter a search query it just redirects you to Bing search. What’s more all your search queries as well as visited websites and other details about your online activities are sent to the server that hosts Wallpapers Collection. The harvested data could be then easily used for advertising purposes.
Undesired extensions like Wallpapers Collection are mainly created to generate revenue for their owners and how they achieve this is by generating numerous advertisements in the affected browsers. Thus, you could see many pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, images, in-text links, redirects and other types of sponsored content to appear during each browsing session. All these ads could be the reason of your browser being sluggish and unresponsive. And for the sake of your security, it is good to avoid visiting the sites promoted by Wallpapers Collection as they could be compromised by bad actors who aim to deliver malicious code on your PC.
During the uninstallation process of Wallpapers Collection from your affected browser, you could send a report to Google and announce them that this software has appeared in your browser without your permission. Eventually, they will review your message and take actions to remove it from their store. You could find how to remove the nasty extension from the browser in the step-by-step guide at the end of this article.
Wallpapers Collection – Privacy Policy
The privacy policy of Wallpapers Collection is available on its official website wallpaperscollection.pro as well as on the bottom of the associated hijacker that appears in your browser. The policy reveals that the company Clever App, S.L owns this dubious extension. And as reported by our team, yet another nasty hijacker associated with the same company is Findgofind.com.
According to the policy of Clever App, S.L, all their products and services as well as all affiliated services can collect personal information with your permission taken for granted. Even though the site does not specify all the collected details based on our research experience we suspect that once Wallpapers Collection has access to your browser and system it may obtain:
- Web browser version
- Operating system type and version
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- IP Address
- Your Internet service provider (ISP)
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- Names, email or mailing addresses
- And other data that can identify you and your interests
The privacy policy does not reveal how it handles the data or if the company shares it with third parties. Using the harvested information and the search queries it starts to build a database of your interests in an attempt to better present affiliate links as search results.
Remove Wallpapers Collection Browser Extension
The steps listed below will help you to remove Wallpapers Collection extension completely from affected Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, and Safari browsers. In the guide that follows, you will also find how to remove this nasty program from your Windows system. There are two removal approaches – manual and automatic. In case that after the manual removal you still see Wallpapers Collection in your browser, you need to scan the system for some leftovers. With the help of an advanced anti-malware tool, you can easily locate and eliminate all leftovers.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Wallpapers Collection from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Wallpapers Collection with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection (Windows).
Get rid of Wallpapers Collection from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection. 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Wallpapers Collection, 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 Wallpapers Collection (Mac)
Remove Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection will be removed.
Eliminate Wallpapers Collection 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".
Wallpapers Collection-FAQ
What Is Wallpapers Collection?
The Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection?
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 Wallpapers Collection?
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 Wallpapers Collection Work?
Once installed, Wallpapers Collection 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.
Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Wallpapers Collection 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 Wallpapers Collection?
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 Wallpapers Collection threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.