Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Nov 2018

How to remove Win32/Wajagen.A

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

Win32/Wajagen.A is the heuristic term used by Windows Defender to warn its victims about adware hiding in the system

Win32/Wajagen.A is a term used by Windows Defender to indicate the threat on your device. This virus detection may vary from antivirus to antivirus. While the message that continually appears on the screen reporting about the “Wajagen” scares people, it shouldn't make you concerned. This term has been used by Windows Defender to report about an adware that focuses on displaying intrusive content and generating revenue from users' clicks or page visits. However, there is also a possibility that the threat is used for tracking your personal data or nonpersonally identifiable information (NPII). Since Win32/Wajagen.A is the term used by the Microsoft Security software, your anti-virus will provide you with another name. However, make sure you remove this entry and related components. It has been reported that the virus can be related to PremierOpinion, RelevantKnowledge, and some other apps, so make sure you double check your system for this PUP as well. 

Name Win32/Wajagen.A
Alternative known as Wajagen
Category Potentially unwanted program
Symptoms Causes fake ads, redirects to possibly malicious websites, tracks users 
Also can be found as
  • Adware:Win32/Wajagen.A
  • Wajagen.A
related to
  • RelevantKnowledge
  • PremierOpinion
  • SteamVR
  • FL Studio
Distribution Software bundles, malicious websites
Removal Use FortectIntego for system cleaning after you delete Win32/Wajagen.A

Win32/Wajagen.A virus has mostly been used to deliver commercial content to users' screens. This content is typically displayed in the form of banners, pop-up windows, hyperlinks or in-text links that reroute you to malicious sites. However, note that this potentially unwanted program[1] can also add browser extensions, toolbars or bookmarks to your PC system. 

Because of the additional activity caused by PUP, your browser starts running slow, and you may notice the high usage of computer resources behind your back. Once Wajagen.A is actively working in your system's background, this threat affects your time online significantly. Based on a comment from Reddit, removing this adware can also be a serious issue:[2]

Virus is so stubborn and annoying. Since last 7 hours, my work is paused and distracted because of that virus.

Win32/Wajagen.A virus should be eliminated using tools like FortectIntego. When dealing with PUPs and similar cyber infections, security experts[3] recommend using reputable anti-malware because distribution technique called software bundling is the reason your device has more issues than you think. Your computer system can be filled with numerous unwanted components that can be installed in one bundle.

Unfortunately, this particular intruder is not completely identified and might be set to perform different functionalities than hijackers or adware such as download other malware on your device or cause security issues and problems with the system. That is why Win32/Wajagen.A removal by using anti-malware tools and performing a full system scan is recommended in the first place.

Once you remove Win32/Wajagen.A from the device, reset your web browsers and change your passwords. Also, consider two-factor authentication to prevent hacks and the loss of your personal information or even the money.

Insecure websites distribute PUPs via bundled software

While searching through online forums and analyzing certain adware infiltration cases, it seems that the primary distribution method is using software setups or free downloads from suspicious websites. Any installation of software can result in cyber threat infiltration because choosing Default or Quick installation options automatically install additional content.

You need to opt for Advanced or Custom installations because this method allows you to de-select unwanted programs from the list. According to people dealing with this intruder, these are the main programs associated with the infiltration of adware if you get them from unofficial websites:

  • RelevantKnowledge,
  • PremierOpinion,
  • SteamVR,
  • FL Studio.

Remove Win32/Wajagen.A and all the programs involved with anti-malware tools

To get rid of any unwanted behavior on your PC system, you need to remove Win32/Wajagen.A without wasting your time. The best solution is anti-malware tools and a full system scan because this PUp is quite stubborn and can reappear on your system after rebooting it. Besides, the Win32/Wajagen.A virus travels together with numerous components, so a scan will help you find these intruders without much effort.

Use anti-malware tools that we suggest below for automatic Win32/Wajagen.A removal or employ tool of your choice. Do not forget to reset your browsers to Default after the virus elimination and remove all additional extensions or toolbars. You can find our software suggestions and the step-by-step guidelines below this article. 

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

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

Did this guide help?

Be the first to comment

Spyware News
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.