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PhraseProfessor Adware

Also Known As: Ads by PhraseProfessor
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is PhraseProfessor?

PhraseProfessor is a deceptive browser extension identical to Clever Search, WordAnchor, Word Surfer, WordShark, and other add-ons.

As with all of these plug-ins, PhraseProfessor claims to enable a feature allowing users to search and translate text - "PhraseProfessor is an ad-supported software utility that makes searching and translating information you find online easy. Take any text you see online, highlight it, and PhraseProfessor will show the Wikipedia and Bing results in an in-page window."

These claims may trick some users into believing that Phrase professor is a legitimate and useful application, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The reason for these negative associations is dubious behavior exhibited by this plug-in: stealth installation, display of intrusive online ads (commonly marked as 'Ads by PP'), and tracking of Internet browsing activity.

PhraseProfessor adware

PhraseProfessor uses a virtual layer, which allows the display of various graphical content on any visited website. The displayed ads (in-text, coupons, price comparison, etc.) conceal the underlying content, and therefore, diminish the Internet browsing experience.

Although these ads may seem harmless, there is a chance that they will lead to bogus websites containing infectious content, thereby causing further computer infections. Furthermore, PhraseProfessor continually monitors Internet browsing activity and collects various software and hardware information.

The collected data can contain personally identifiable information such as PayPal or bank account details, which the developers of PhraseProfessor later share with third parties and misuse to generate revenue. This situation can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, you are strongly advised to uninstall PhraseProfessor from your system.

PhraseProfessor Privacy Policy regarding information sharing:

In addition to the uses described above, we also share, transfer, or license your user and use information to third parties to store and analyze the data, provide search results and associated advertising, provide hosting services and customer support services.

As well as the aforementioned add-ons, PhraseProfessor is also very similar to AllCheapPrice, PCandMobileGames, Fusion Browser, Zoomify, and hundreds of other deceptive adware-type browser plug-ins. All adware claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience, however, none provides any real value for users.

Adware-type apps are designed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did PhraseProfessor install on my computer?

The developers of PhraseProfessor employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install this adware without users' consent. Bundling is stealth installation of additional applications with the chosen software. Many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing software.

This makes bundling popular and effective, since developers hide installation of potentially unwanted programs within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By skipping this section, users inadvertently install apps such as PhraseProfessor.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Avoid adware-type computer infections by taking a number of simple measures. Firstly, follow each step of the free software download procedure and ensure that no third party applications are downloaded.

Furthermore, never rush the installation procedure and use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The key to computer safety is caution. Pay close attention during the download and installation procedures.

Deceptive free software installers used in phrase professor adware distribution:

phrase professor adware installer sample 10 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 9 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 8 phrase professor adware installer sample 7 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 6 phrase professor adware installer sample 5 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 4 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 3 phraseprofessor adware installer sample 2 phrase professor adware installer

PhraseProfessor adware installer setup:

phraseprofessor adware installer setup

PhraseProfessor adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Ads by PhraseProfessor'):

phraseprofessor adware generating pop-up ads phraseprofessor adware generating in-text ads phraseprofessor adware generating video ads phraseprofessor adware generating coupon ads

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Quick menu:

PhraseProfessor 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.

phraseprofessor adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "PhraseProfessor 1.10.0.21", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove PhraseProfessor ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, PhraseProfessor did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing PhraseProfessor 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing PhraseProfessor ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by phraseprofessor, 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 PhraseProfessor  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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing PhraseProfessor ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by phraseprofessor, 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 PhraseProfessor 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing PhraseProfessor ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by phraseprofessor 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 ads by phraseprofessor, 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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If you have additional information on ads by phraseprofessor or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Ads by PhraseProfessor QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by PhraseProfessor on your mobile device.
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