Uwasson is a suspicious extension flagged by Windows Defender and other AV engines as Win32/Uwasson.A!ml

Uwasson is not malicious, however, it’s a piece of malware that is also classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). According to experts, it modifies some executable files on the host machine and hijacks the default web browser. For this purpose, it drops an unwanted extension on the targeted web browser. In some of the cases, it may also set an affiliate website as a start page, search provider, or toolbar, which subsequently enables Uwasson adware to implement aggressive marketing campaigns.
| Name | Uwasson |
| Identification | Potentially unwanted program (PUP) / adware |
| Related | Uwasson.a!ml or Win32/Uwasson.A!ml |
| Compatibility | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc. |
| Is it dangerous? | Typically, the Uwasson adware runs as a regular web browser's extension, except that it displays significantly more advertising content and may be programmed to expose people to phishing websites. Privacy-related issues are also in question as the adware may be collecting both personally and non-personally identifiable information |
| Distribution | The adware is typically distributed via freeware programs downloaded from infamous download websites or torrents. However, most frequently people encounter this program after downloading games, which contain cracks |
| Removal | In case your AV engine warns about the Uwasson virus, but cannot delete it for an unknown reason, boot the system into Safe Mode and run a full system scan. Otherwise, you may need yo check every free app on the system and remove suspicious ones. Besides, the web browser's reset is required |
| Malware damage | Malware like this can initiate a slight system's changes, which may result in crashes, slowdowns, long boot time, and errors. To restore PC's stability, use FortectIntego tool |
German IT-related forums seem to be most actively looking for ways to remove Win32/Uwasson.A!ml virus[1]. Our colleagues from dieviren.de[2] approved that many people are concerned about this issue and claim not being able to find Uwasson adware on the system, but antivirus software is regularly displaying a notification about it.
There are two possible reasons for that, i.e. the Uwasson is hiding in the system under a different name or the AV displays a false positive detection. The latter variant is a common issue with many doubtful programs, which due to some changes in AV security settings or virus definitions are flagged as dangerous, while in reality, they are not.
However, false-positive detection does not apply if several security tools detect Win32/Uwasson.A!ml and refer to the Uwasson virus. In this case, it's advisable to run a full system scan with a professional antivirus while in Safe Mode with Networking. This way, any processes that may be disrupting Uwasson removal will be disabled and the AV engine will be able to terminate it successfully.
The question of why should I remove Uwasson adware from the system remains. Even though the extension does not have malicious codes and does not harm the system directly, it may be used for marketing purposes mainly. It may be set to hijack web browsers by altering the main settings, including default start page, search engine, themes, or bookmarks bar. Upon suchlike modifications, the adware may start generating customized Uwasson ads and popups on random websites.
Uwasson ads are not the worst part here. Apart from random promotions and discounts, the adware may display full-page ads with rather misleading content, including fake online surveys known as phishing, rogue software updates, or online scanners. Beware of such and similar ads by Uwasson as they may expose you to malware-infected websites or trick into subscribing useless services, exposing personally identifiable information or similar.

Privacy-related issues should also be concerned. Just like any other adware-type application, the Uwasson virus may use tracking cookies and other software that is capable of transcribing users' personally non-identifiable information (NII) and sharing it with affiliate parties. The gathered NII may include such information as IP address, search queries, content viewed, websites visited, email address, and some technical web browser's features. Such and similar information may later be used for displaying personalized Uwasson ads.
In general, if your AV engine is rampant because of Win32/Uwasson.A!ml, make research on your PC and initiate Uwasson removal without a delay. Malware elimination can be done automatically with the help of SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. However, you can also check the system manually and eliminate all questionable entries.
PUPs travel as pre-selected items of freeware and can be deselected
PUPs, namely adware and browser hijacker, cannot be installed without a user's consent. However, their developers employ various strategies to keep unwanted programs unnoticed, but at the same time approved.
Typically, software developers employ bundling distribution technique[3]. It requires a freeware and an unwanted web browser's extension, plug-in or toolbar. The stand-alone freeware installer is supplemented with additional programs, which spread in the disguise of the Quick installation option as pre-selected items. In this way, even though the user is not directly acquainted with the package, by clicking 'Install' approves that checkmark saying 'I agree with the installation of xxxx and its Terms.'

To prevent software bundlers, you should be very careful with the selection and installation of free programs. Rely on well0-known developers and reputable download sources. Besides, monitor the entire installation procedure; opt for Advanced installation, read all the terms, and remove checkmarks saying that you agree with the installation of extensions, add-ons, or toolbars. Last, keep your PC's system protected. Rely on the most professional antivirus program and regularly scan it.
Learn how to eliminate Uwasson PUP completely
One of the ways to remove Uwasson virus is to scan the system with a professional anti-virus program. In case your security tool keeps displaying a warning about the Uwasson.a!ml, but cannot terminate it, you may either have to download the latest virus definition updates or boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking.
Upon Uwasson removal, you have to terminate the extension within a web browser. You can do that by disabling all suspicious add-ons and resetting the start page, or, at best, reset web browser's settings. In case you would like to remove Uwasson manually, please follow the guide submitted by our security experts.
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.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
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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