Uwasson ads: what it is and how to remove it
Uwasson is the name of a suspicious adware program that can enter the PC's system along with freeware or game cracks. The program is closely related to the AV detection Uwasson.a!ml or Win32/Uwasson.A!ml.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Uwasson ads: summary
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | Adware extension |
| Symptoms | Redirects to an unknown domain |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | dieviren.de |
| Ads shown as | Redirects through ad pages |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 24 April 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Uwasson ads dangerous?
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Uwasson is a suspicious extension flagged by Windows Defender and other AV engines as Win32/Uwasson.A!ml
Uwasson is the name of a suspicious adware program that can enter the PC's system along with freeware or game cracks.
The program is closely related to the AV detection Uwasson.a!ml or Win32/Uwasson.A!ml. Usually, people are not aware of the adware program in their PCs until AV, Windows Defender in particular, reports the mentioned detection.
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.
German IT-related forums seem to be most actively looking for ways to remove Win32/Uwasson.A!ml virus . Our colleagues from dieviren.de 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 or . However, you can also check the system manually and eliminate all questionable entries.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
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 . 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.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Uwasson
- 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 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 tool
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
dieviren.de
How to remove Uwasson ads
How to remove the Uwasson extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Uwasson often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Uwasson. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Usually, adware strikes Windows users. In case your PC is suffering from questionable ads, browser's redirect, and slowdowns triggered by Uwasson virus, follow the guide below to get rid of it completely
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.
Remove from Google Chrome
If Google Chrome delivers an enormous amount of ads or causes redirects, remove malware from the system and then reset Chrome's default settings.
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.
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.
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)
Reset web browser's settings to get rid of unwanted extensions.
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
Although less frequently, malware manages to bypass the Mac security system and gets installed without permission. The following steps explain how to remove Uwasson virus from Mac.
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
Don't forget to reset the web browser's settings upon Uwasson removal.
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.
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 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 can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
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.
Questions about Uwasson ads
dieviren.de opens when I click links. What causes it?
When every click leads to dieviren.de first, an extension or a script on the page is rewriting the links. If it happens only on one site, that site uses aggressive ads; close it and use another source. If it happens everywhere, open the browser in a private window, where extensions are normally off, and try again.
No redirect in the private window means one of your extensions is responsible: remove the ones you do not know. A redirect in the private window too means the cause is outside the extensions, such as a notification permission, a changed search setting or a program installed on the PC. The removal steps in this guide cover each of those.
Did dieviren.de install a virus on my PC?
Very unlikely, unless you downloaded and opened something from the pages it led to. Redirect domains such as dieviren.de sell your visit to advertisers; they do not need to install anything to make money.
What can be installed is the thing that causes the redirects in the first place, such as an extension or an ad-supported program that came with free software. That is why the checks in this guide look at extensions, notification permissions and Installed apps.
A full scan with Microsoft Defender afterwards gives you a clear answer about the rest of the PC. If the scan is clean and the redirects stop after removing the cause, you are done.
What is Uwasson?
Uwasson is an adware extension, a kind of adware. It earns money by showing redirects through ad pages, and each view, click or redirect pays whoever runs it. It is not something people usually choose; it arrives through a free download, a fake button or a misleading prompt.
Uwasson does not encrypt files or take control of Windows, but its ads are sold to anyone, including scam operators, so they can lead to fake virus warnings and unwanted downloads. The steps in this guide remove it from Windows and from each browser.
Which browsers does Uwasson affect?
In the cases we checked, Uwasson showed up in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not rule out others on your PC, since adware installers often target every browser they find, and permissions and extensions sync across computers signed in to the same browser account.
Open each browser you have, go to its extensions page and its notification settings, and remove anything you do not recognise. Profiles count separately: Chrome and Edge can each hold several, and each one needs checking on its own.
Are the pop-ups I see really from Uwasson?
Compare them with the details in the table above. Uwasson produces redirects through ad pages, and the clearest sign of it is redirects to dieviren.de. Other adware looks similar, so check the name of the sending site at the bottom of a notification, the address in the tab that opened, or the newest entries on the extensions page.
If those match, this guide fits. If you see a different name, the same kind of steps apply, but remove the item you actually find rather than guessing.
Why is my browser so slow since the ads started?
Each page now does extra work. An adware extension reads the page, decides where to put ads, loads them from ad servers and reports your visit, and that happens on every tab. Ad-supported programs add their own background activity.
Removing the extension or program usually makes the browser fast again at once. If it stays slow, open the browser's own task manager with Shift+Esc in Chrome or Edge and look for extensions using a lot of memory or processor time.
My scan found nothing, but the ads continue. Why?
Because the source may not be a file a scanner looks for. Browser notifications are a permission stored in the browser, and many adware extensions are not flagged because they come from an official store.
Some ad-supported programs are only reported if you enable detection of potentially unwanted apps. So a clean scan does not mean the job is done. Check each browser's notification permissions and extension list by hand, and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security before scanning again.
Did Uwasson collect my data?
Adware typically collects what it needs to choose ads:
- the sites you visit
- search terms
- approximate location
- browser and system details
Extensions with permission to read and change data on all websites can technically see everything on those pages, including forms. That is a privacy problem rather than proof of theft.
If you typed card details or passwords while it was active, changing the most important passwords is a reasonable precaution. Clearing cookies after removal ends the tracking sessions it may have started.
Can an adware pop-up infect my PC just by appearing?
No. A pop-up, a notification or a new tab is only a web page or a message. It cannot run programs on Windows by itself, provided the browser and Windows are up to date. Infection needs a step from you:
- running a downloaded file
- installing an extension
- giving a stranger remote access
That is why scam pages work so hard to make you click. Close such pages with the tab's X or by closing the browser, not with buttons inside the page, which may start a download.
Will Fortect remove Uwasson?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Uwasson, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Reddit: UnNetHack and "uwasson.a!ml" virus detection (false positive?) (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: SICHERHEIT- UND SPYWARE-NEUIGKEITEN (read October 6, 2026)
- Emsisoft: 62% of the Top 50 Download.com applications bundle toolbars and other PUPs (read October 6, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)