HPWombat (Free Guide) - Removal Instructions
HPWombat Removal Guide
What is HPWombat?
HPWombat adware bothers users with annoying ads
HPWombat virus is the name of an adware-type application. It is programmed to display advertising content[1] to users. Likewise, users are more likely to click on the links or commercial offers. When they do so, they might be directed to websites of questionable origin. Some of them might be poorly secured from the domains. As a result, your browser or even the computer might get plagued with a number minor infections which diminish the effectiveness of the browser. Ads may also hinder your browsing sessions by popping while you are watching a movie or reading an intriguing article. Note that some versions of adware may also be a part of malvertising campaign[2]. Thus, if you carelessly click on them, you might get redirected to a heavily infected website[3]. Additionally, this unwanted app does not have its own programs but instead functions via wombatstarter.exe and adware scripts. To sum up, adware is software which should never reside in a computer. Remove HPWombat with the assistance of anti-spyware tools, such as FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. Below the article, you will also find the instructions how to get rid of this PUP manually.
The main problem of this PUP is that it does not contain its independent applications. Thus, it is more difficult to manage and detect it. Malware prevention programs may identify it as PUP.HPWombat. Due to such technical characteristics, users may take time identifying the cause of excessive advertising. Though in general adware is not technically a virus, but HPWombat ads may be as bothering as malware. Excessive advertising may result in slower browser capabilities. If you are in a rush, you may accidentally click on a commercial offer and get redirected to a domain, which harbors exploit kits or more elaborate malignant elements. Thus, these elements may corrupt your browser even more. As previously mentioned, due to HPWombat redirect, you may find yourself in an infected domain. Thus, it would be better to locate and delete this PUP right away. The last section elaborates on removal options.
Distribution preferences of the PUP
Since this adware does not have its shape as an independent program, there are a couple of ways how you can get infected with this PUP. Most likely, you may run into this PUP when browsing gaming or movie streaming websites. In order to limit the risk of encountering this adware, it is recommended to install anti-spyware tool. Alternatively, HPWombat hijack may occur when you download accelerators or file converters from shady domains[4]. It is a prevalent habit to dash through the settings without taking a look at the installation wizard. Thus, choosing “Recommended” settings results in installing unwanted applications as well. Next time you install new applications, opt for “Custom” settings. They reveal optional applications, and you will be able to deselect optional tools. Now let us proceed to HPWombat removal section. HPWombat adware tends to display various ads which may offer to scan the device for potential threats.
HPWombat adware elimination options
As previously mentioned, usually there are two ways to eliminate adware. However, two ways are applicable if adware functions as an ordinary application. Due to the obscure shape of the adware, you may find it difficult in detecting it on the system list. In that case, you may struggle with HP Wombat removal process. Entrust this procedure to malware elimination tool[5]. It is apt in detecting PUP and more exquisite threats. What is more, it does not take long for the software to remove HPWombat virus. You may also use the below instructions to clean your browser from adware scripts.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of HPWombat. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
IN addition, it would be beneficial to review your browser. While HP Wombat PUP resides on the computer, additional browser extensions may appear on the toolbar. Make sure to eliminate them.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of HPWombat registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
- ^ Patricio Robles. Digital advertising is totally out of control. EConsultancy. Achieve Digital Excellence.
- ^ Bradley Barth. Binary Options malvertising scheme delivers Gozi-like banking trojan. SCMedia. The cyber security source .
- ^ Chris Smith. Beware: There’s a growing number of Bitcoin casino fake websites. KnowTechie. Tech news for the non-techie.
- ^ David Nield. How to Keep Shady Apps From Screwing Up Your Computer. FieldGuide. IT news and comments.
- ^ Deborah Hurley. Improving Cybersecurity: The Diversity Imperative. Forbes. Lifestyle, Finance, Security .