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Ads by Polished Patterns

Also Known As: Polished Patterns adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Polished Patterns?

Polished Patterns is a deceptive browser plug-in developed and released by SuperWeb LLC. This add-on supposedly offers useful features to enhance the Internet browsing experience (for example, improved Internet searches), and therefore, some users consider Polished Patterns as a legitimate extension.

This application, however, is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). To distribute Polished Pattern, the developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', which allows stealth installation of this rogue add-on together with regular software.

Following infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Polished Pattern displays the following types of intrusive online advertisements: search, interstitial, transitional, full-page, coupon, banner, and pop-up.

Be aware that some of these ads can redirect to rogue websites containing infectious content, and therefore, clicking them may cause high-risk computer infections.

Polished Patterns adware

Polished Patterns continually monitors Internet browsing activity and gathers browsing-related information including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, and unique identifier numbers.

This collected information is later shared with third parties, and since it may be personally identifiable, this behavior might cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft. There are hundreds of browser extensions identical to Polished Patterns.

The developers intentionally release identical browser add-ons under different names to avoid detection by legitimate anti-virus and anti-spyware suites. Although Cooking up Coupons, Write Results, Razor Web, and ViewPlay may seem legitimate and useful, none provide any significant value.

These applications are developed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. You are strongly advised to uninstall Polished Patterns from your system immediately.

Be aware that most popular freeware download websites monetizes their free services and traffic via small programs called 'download managers', which supposedly ease the download process.

When users download software from websites such as downloads.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc. they are encouraged to use download manager to download the chosen software. Download managers offer (or in some instances, simply hide) installation of third party applications together with the chosen software.

Assurances are made that these promoted applications are '100% legitimate and virus-free', however, they are likely to be adware or malware, and therefore, you should never accept offers to install additional programs. If you have installed Polished Patterns, the following guide will help you to uninstall this PUP from your system.

How did Polished Patterns adware install on my computer?

Although you are able to download Polished Patterns from the official website, many users inadvertently install this application without their consent via a software distribution method called 'bundling' - this allows developers to stealthily install Polished Patterns together with the user's chosen free software.

Download tools and software installer set-ups (including the ones used to distribute Polished Patterns) do not always list the third party applications included for installation.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two main steps you should take in order to avoid installation of PUPs such as Polished Patterns. Always pay close attention when downloading free software - decline offers to install additional programs. Furthermore, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options when installing software downloaded from the Internet - this will ensure that there are no third party applications listed for installation. We recommend to download software only from the official website.

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Quick menu:

Polished Patterns adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Polished Patterns adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Polished Patterns", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Polished Patterns ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove polished patterns adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Polished Patterns ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Polished Patterns", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Polished Patterns ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the polished patterns adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Polished Patterns  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Polished Patterns", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing Polished Patterns ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the polished patterns adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Polished Patterns ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Polished Patterns".

Removing Polished Patterns ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with polished patterns adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the polished patterns adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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Polished Patterns adware QR code
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