How to remove HPWombat adware [Virus removal]

The HPWombat is an adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software). The ad supported software may change the settings of internet browsers such as Google Chrome, IE, Firefox and MS Edge or install a dangerous browser extension, which created to generate tons of annoying pop-ups. It’ll lead to the fact that when you start the browser or surfing the Internet, it will always be forced to display HPWombat popup ads, even when your web-browser is configured to stop popup ads or your computer has a program that stops pop-up ads. On current date, the adware continues to increase the number of computers that have been infected.

The ad-supported software usually affects only the Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge by changing the web-browser’s settings or installing a harmful extensions (addons). Moreover, possible situations, when any other web browsers will be affected too. The adware will perform a scan of the system for web browser shortcuts and modify them without your permission. When it infects the web-browser shortcuts, it’ll add the argument such as ‘http://site.address’ into Target property. So, each time you launch the web browser, you will see an unwanted ad web-site.

The HPWombat ad-supported software is not a virus, but the virus behaves similarly. As a rootkit hides in the system, modifies browser settings and blocks them from changing. Also the ‘ad supported’ software can install additional web browser extensions, addons and modules that will inject advertising links within the Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and Microsoft Edge’s screen. Moreover, the ‘ad supported’ software may install browser hijacker that once started, will change the internet browser’s start page and search engine. And finally, the ad-supported software can collect a wide variety of personal information such as what web-sites you are opening, what you are looking for the Internet and so on. This information, in the future, may be transferred to third parties.

So, obviously, you need to remove the HPWombat adware as soon as possible. Use the free few simple steps below. This guide will help you clean your PC system and thereby get rid of all unwanted pop-ups and annoying ads.

How did HPWombat adware get on your system

Most often, the free applications installer includes the optional potentially unwanted programs such as this adware. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way is to choose the Custom, Advanced or Manual installation mode. Here disable (uncheck) all optional applications in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you don’t need to install the optional applications which you don’t trust! The only thing I want to add. Once the free programs is installed, if you delete this software, the ad-supported software will not be removed. This must be done by yourself. Just follow the few simple steps below.

How to manually remove HPWombat adware

The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, that will help you manually delete HPWombat adware from your computer and thereby remove unwanted pop-up ads from the Firefox, Chrome, IE, MS Edge and other web browsers.

1. Delete suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
2. Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
3. Remove HPWombat ads from Chrome
4. Get rid of HPWombat pop-ups from Firefox
5. Remove HPWombat advertisements from Internet Explorer
6. Delete unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Delete suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel

The best way to begin the machine cleanup is to uninstall unknown and suspicious software. Using the Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded applications can clean up your web-browser from pop-ups, hijackers and so on.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows key, click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
3. It will show the Windows Control Panel.
4. Click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. You will see a list of all installed programs.
6. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort software by date.

See more details in the video instructions below.

Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts

When the adware is started, it can also change the internet browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument like “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you run the internet browser, it will be rerouted to an annoying advertisements.

To clear the browser shortcut, right-click to it and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text which starts with “http://” which has been added here. You need to remove it.

When the argument is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcuts of all your web browsers, as they may be infected too.

Remove HPWombat ads from Chrome

Like other modern web-browsers, the Google Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby get rid of the redirect to annoying ads that is caused by the HPWombat adware.

At first, start the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will appear the main menu. Click on the option named “Settings”. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web browser adress bar and press Enter.

The internet browser will show the settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset settings” section is visible, as shown on the screen below and click the “Reset settings” button.

The Google Chrome will display the confirmation prompt. You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The application will start the procedure of cleaning. Once it is complete, the web-browser settings including the ‘block pop-ups’ option back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your PC system.

Get rid of HPWombat pop-ups from Firefox

First, launch the Mozilla Firefox. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click the “Help” button ().

In the Help menu, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click “Refresh Firefox” button.

Confirm your action, press the “Refresh Firefox”.

Remove HPWombat advertisements from Internet Explorer

First, start the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.

In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press the “Reset” button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer” settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.

You will now need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect. It will restore the Microsoft Internet Explorer’s settings like start page and search provider by default to default state, disable ad-supported web browser’s extensions and thereby delete the redirect to unwanted ad web-sites.

Delete unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Once installed, the adware can add a task in to the Windows Task Scheduler Library. Due to this, every time when you open your system, it will show an annoying ad web-page. So, you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and get rid of all tasks that have been created by adware.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard simultaneously. It will show a prompt which titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it’s a component of the malicious application, then this task also should be removed.

Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown on the screen below.

Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by malicious software. Once is complete, close the Task Scheduler window.

Get rid of HPWombat adware automatically

You can remove HPWombat automatically with a help of Malwarebytes Free. We recommend this free malware removal tool because it can easily remove ad-supported software, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.

Download Malwarebytes Free on your personal computer by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Desktop.

Once the download is complete, close all windows on your system. Further, start the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like below, click the Yes button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will assist you install Malwarebytes on the PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

When the installation is done successfully, press Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main window as shown in the figure below.

Next, click the “Scan Now” button for checking your PC system for the HPWombat adware. When a threat is found, the number of the detected objects will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished. Please be patient.

When it has finished scanning, you can check all threats detected on your computer. Make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The Malwarebytes will start removing malware and HPWombat software. Once the disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to restart your machine. I recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the Malwarebytes to delete adware and other dangerous applications.

Block annoying ads and other unwanted web sites

To increase your security and protect your personal computer against new unwanted ads and malicious web pages, you need to use application that stops access to dangerous advertisements and web sites. Moreover, the program can block the show of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

Download AdGuard program from the following link.

Once the download is done, start the file named adguardInstaller. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the screen below.

Follow the prompts. Once the installation is finished, you will see a window as shown on the screen below.

You can click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.

In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop pop-up ads, as well as other dangerous or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your Windows desktop.

If the problem with HPWombat adware is still remained

If MalwareBytes cannot get rid of annoying ads, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars.

1. Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
   
   

   AdwCleaner download
   225301 downloads
   Version: 8.4.1
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: October 5, 2024
   
2. Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once the utility is launched the main screen will appear as shown on the image above.
3. Now, click the “Scan” button for scanning your machine for the HPWombat adware that inserts lots of unwanted ads within you internet browser.
4. When the system scan is done, AdwCleaner will display a scan report. Review the report and then press “Clean” button. It will open a prompt, press “OK” button.

The following video explains the step-by-step instructions above on how to delete adware with AdwCleaner.

Finish words

Now your PC should be free of the HPWombat adware. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and unwanted dangerous web sites) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your PC for new malware and adware). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of HPWombat from your machine, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.