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Ads by RapidReader

Also Known As: RapidReader adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is RapidReader?

Identical to TermCoach, PhraseProfessor, WordShark, and a number of other apps, RapidReader is a deceptive browser plug-in claiming to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling various text-related features - "RapidReader 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 RapidReader will show the Wikipedia and Bing results in an in-page window."

Some users may believe that this application is legitimate and useful, however, RapidReader is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). After successful infiltration without users' consent, RapidReader displays intrusive online ads and collects various information related to Internet browsing activity.

RapidReader adware

This rogue app employs a virtual layer to display price comparison, coupon, in-text, and other advertisements - ads of a similar type. The displayed ads diminish the Internet browsing experience by concealing underlying website content and redirecting users to dubious sites containing infectious content.

Therefore, clicking these ads can lead to further high-risk computer infections. In addition, this application continually monitors Internet browsing activity and gathers various user/system information, some of which may contain personally identifiable details.

IP addresses, visited websites, viewed pages, search queries, and other gathered information is later shared with third parties, and thus, having RapidReader installed on your computer might cause various privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall this application immediately.

RapidReader Privacy Policy towards 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.

Classed as regular adware, RapidReader is identical to the aforementioned browser plug-ins and similar or identical to hundreds of other PUPs with similar characteristics.

All adware-type applications (including, for example, Crime Watch, FirstOffer, TidyNetwork, and SushiLeads) claim to be legitimate and promise to enable many 'useful' features. In fact no adware (including RapidReader) provides the functionality promised.

This type of application is designed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting various information - they are useless to the user.

How did RapidReader install on my computer?

The developers of RapidReader employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install this application without users' permission. Bundling is stealth installation of third party apps with the chosen software/apps, and since many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing programs, this method is very effective.

Users are often unaware that developers of rogue applications intentionally conceal them within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Thus, by rushing the download and installation processes, users inadvertently install applications such as RapidReader.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Pay close attention during the download and installation processes and do not rush them - decline all offers to download or install additional software. Furthermore, these processes should be performed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any hidden potentially unwanted programs and allow you to opt-out.

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Quick menu:

RapidReader 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.

RapidReader adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove RapidReader adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, RapidReader 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 RapidReader 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 RapidReader ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the rapidreader 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 RapidReader  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 on "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing RapidReader ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the rapidreader 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 RapidReader 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 RapidReader ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with rapidreader 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 rapidreader 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.

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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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
RapidReader adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of RapidReader adware on your mobile device.
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