HiDef Media Player is a potentially unwanted program that gathers various information about user browsing habits
HiDef Media Player is an application developed and distributed by HiDefMedia. According to its developers, HiDef Media Player is a useful app that can play various video and audio files without needing to download codecs, and also allows launching even damaged files. However, HiDef Media Player is also an adware-type[1] app that falls into a potentially unwanted program category.
Potentially unwanted programs like HiDef Media Player might be downloaded intentionally due to its alleged functionality (in this case, playing of media files), although they are mostly distributed with the help of software bundling – a deceptive technique that has been prevalent for years. For that reason, users rarely understand how HiDef Media Player managed to enter their machines in the first place.
| Name | HiDef Media Player |
| Type | Adware |
| Category | Potentially unwanted program |
| Infiltration | Software bundles, third-party sites, ads |
| Symptoms | Intrusive ads and redirects on all sites that you visit |
| Main risks | Installation of bogus or dangerous software, money loss |
| Termination | Download and install FortectIntego or make use of our manual removal guide below |
While initially users might find HiDef Media Player app useful, they will soon see that their Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or another browser started behaving strangely: the search results are littered with sponsored links, intrusive ads cover all websites and URL redirects[2] occur more often than expected.
Additionally, user web browser activities are also recorded and used for targeted advertisements. Thus, do not hesitate and remove HiDef Media Player, as it can compromise your online safety and make web browsing sessions a real nightmare. For that, use FortectIntego (or any other reputable anti-virus software) or delete the threat manually with the help of our instructions below.
Once installed, HiDef Media Player creates a process that constantly runs in the background, ads an exception to Windows Firewall and creates a scheduled task. This is done in order to keep the background processes running and deliver users sponsored content via the browsers.
The advertisements that are delivered due to the HiDef Media Player virus are not marked and might come in a form of pop-ups, pop-unders, full-screen windows, banners, deals, offers, coupons and others. However, users might sometimes notice the following markings on these ads:
- Delivered by HiDef Media Player
- HiDef Media Player ads
- Sponsored by HiDef Media Player
- Ads powered by HiDef Media Player, etc.
Additionally, HiDef Media Player collected information about users includes the IP address, ISP, location, web queries, bookmarks, links clicked, ads clicked, website visit durations, technical details, etc. Be aware that some of such data might be considered personal, such as search queries, as they might expose details like emails, names, and other data.
After HiDef Media Player removal, you should also reset all of the installed browsers as the PUP might change their settings. Additionally, if you want to use a player that includes all the features needed and does not spam you with ads, pick reputable applications, such as VLC, Media Player Classic, or others.
Suspicious programs use deceptive distribution methods – be attentive to avoid the infection of the PUP
Potentially unwanted programs can easily enter your PC unnoticed because they are spread not only through the official websites. PUPs are often included inside software packages that might even come from seemingly reputable sites. The developers often fail to state which apps are being installed clearly, and often resort hiding them under Recommended settings, pre-ticked boxes, and buttons that are placed in unusual spots deliberately. Unfortunately, deceptive marketing practices are here to stay, and it is up to you to avoid unwanted apps entering your computer.
To avoid unwanted attachments when downloading freeware from the Internet, you should be very careful. Experts[3] highly suggest picking Custom or Advanced installation settings, checking for the important documents, declining all the deals/offers, and removing all the markings from pre-ticked boxes. Finally, you should always keep a reputable anti-malware program running in the background – it will protect you from most computer threats.
Ways to remove HiDef Media Player adware
HiDef Media Player removal can be performed either manually or automatically. Because it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program by security experts and vendors, there is a high chance that ant-virus will be able to eliminate. For that, download security program of your choice, bring it up to date and perform a full system scan. Additionally, a full scan will be able to determine whether your device is infected with any other threats and terminate them as well.
On the other hand, you can remove HiDef Media Player virus manually. We prepared a detailed guide below – please follow the instructions carefully. Once you delete the unwanted adware program, make sure you also reset all the browsers that reside on your device, as PUPs often change their settings without permission.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- 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.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
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