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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2021

How to remove WPM virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Julie Splinters · Anti-malware specialist

WPM adware: a program that tampers with your browser to show you intrusive ads

WPM (also known as WPM18.8.0.212, WpManager, etc.) is a potentially unwanted program that is related to Nation Zoom, Sweet Page, Omniboxes.com, and alike potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). This infamous program is known for an arbitrary downloading of the ad-supported program to the victim's computer.

As soon as WPM is installed on the system, this program may cause the system's modifications that additionally help these hijackers or similar computer parasites display fake and annoying pop-up notifications, for example:

“ads by WPM,” “WPM ads,” “special offer for you by WPM,” “brought to you by WpManager,” etc.

Also, this rogue app can cause system slowdowns and redirects to unknown and potentially dangerous websites. In addition to this, if WPM adware hijacks the computer, it usually drops its process, which is called Wprotectmanager.exe, and also starts gathering information about its owner.

Moreover, you may also notice changes to your web browser settings – your homepage and default search engine may be replaced with another rogue web search-related website. Most affected browsers by this app are:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • MS Edge
  • Internet Explorer
  • Opera, etc.

We do not recommend ignoring these changes because you may be tricked into visiting unfamiliar or insecure websites by clicking on search results generated by such fake search engines or clicking on misleading pop-up ads. It can happen because these kinds of sources can contain suspicious redirecting hyperlinks.

Unfortunately, we can assure you that the majority of these hyperlinks can end you up on suspicious or even harmful websites, so it is highly recommended not to use never-seen search sites and not to click on over-intrusive ads.

Also, if you have noticed Wprotectmanager.exe in your Windows Task Manager, you should immediately scan your computer with reliable anti-spyware like FortectIntego. Otherwise, you may notice annoying redirects, system crashes, and similar issues and interferences that may be used to preclude regular computer user or even to infect your PC with more serious viruses.

Potentially unwanted programs rarely ask for a permission to enter

This dubious program is often distributed via free but questionable programs. This distribution method has been misused by many cyber criminals that seek to increase the distribution rate of their potentially unwanted programs. WPM is mostly spread in software bundles with other freeware or shareware. There are a few program types that are common PUP's spreaders. Examples include:

  • Download managers;
  • PDF creators;
  • Media players;
  • MP3 converters;
  • other similar freeware.

To avoid this and similar, potentially unwanted programs, you should avoid installing unknown programs that are usually filled with various attachments. Secondly, avoid visiting questionable and unsafe websites because they are often used to distribute ad-supported plug-ins, potentially unwanted programs, fake updates, or similar apps.

Lastly, if you are going to install an unfamiliar program, make sure you monitor its installation. For that, you should select one of these installation methods and follow the further installation instructions:

Advanced
Custom

If you have already noticed signs of this app's existence on your machine, proceed to the bottom of this page to find out how to remove WpManager app from your PC.

Remove WpManager from my computer

As we have mentioned before, this program is unsafe, so you should remove it from the system as soon as possible. We also want to mention that this application can track your browsing history, search queries, or other browsing-related information.

Even though this information is considered to be personally not identifiable, it can still contain some details that may reveal your identity for the developers of WPM. To remove WPM, you should use a reliable anti-spyware program.

The alternative removal method is to delete this controversial program manually. To remove it this way, simply follow these steps and make sure you remove WMP virus for good.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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