What is FreeCodecPack Virus

FreeCodecPack Virus refers to an adware program FreeCodecPack that’s advertised as a tool for viewing various file formats. While promoted as a legitimate tool, it’s considered to be adware because of its distribution method and overall behaviour. It’s entirely possible that you don’t remember installing it but it’s present on the computer. That could happen because of software bundling. Software bundling is a popular method of installation among unwanted programs developers because it allows programs to install without needing explicit permission from users. It’s quite deceptive, which is why programs that use it are usually classified as potential threats by anti-virus software. If you’re unaware of how software bundling works, we will explain in the following section of the report. It’s strongly recommended to familiarize yourself with how the method works if you want to avoid filling your computer with junk programs in the future.

FreeCodecPack is advertised as a tool to view various file formats. However, it’s actually a pretty useless program that has questionable features, hence why it’s classified as an adware threat. It’s not actually a virus, however, despite what many users may call it. It will not harm the computer like malware would, but it’s not entirely harmless either. It will expose you to loads of advertisements, including pop-ups and redirects, and that can be very annoying. The most worrying part of adware is the pop-ups and redirects because they can expose you to malware and scams. You could be redirected to all kinds of scams, including tech-support ones that try to trick you into paying for fake tech-support.

While it will not actively harm the computer, it best to remove FreeCodecPack Virus as soon as possible. Using anti-virus software would be easiest because it would do everything for you.

Adware often installs via software bundling

To be distributed more widely, programs like FreeCodecPack use software bundling. It’s possible that you installed the program yourself, thinking it would be useful. It is available on third-party download websites, as well as the official page, but search results leading to a download button are buried among results explaining FreeCodecPack is a useless programs. So it’s quite unlikely that you managed to stumble upon this program purposely.

What’s much more likely is that you installed it accidentally, via software bundling. Software bundling is a rather deceptive installation method and it allows unwanted programs to essentially install without permission, which is why it’s so popular among unwanted program developers. Free programs, particularly ones you download from those free program download sites, will come with some offers attached to them. Those offers are usually adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs, and they’re attached in a way that allows them to install alongside automatically. Users don’t have to authorize this additional installation, which is why this method is quite frowned upon.

In order to avoid installing all the offers that come attached to freeware, it’s important to correctly install it. When installing freeware, opt for Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default. Advanced settings will make all extra offers visible, and you will be able to deselect all of them. They will be hidden in Default settings, so while the setup window will say that Default is the recommended setting option, using it is not a good idea.

Because most free programs will come with extra offers, it’s important to always pay attention to their installation. It’s much easier to uncheck a couple of boxes than it is to later have to uninstall potential infections. And this will prevent your computer from being filled with junk programs that only take up space on your computer.

Is FreeCodecPack Virus dangerous?

It should first be mentioned that FreeCodecPack is not malware. Users do refer to it as FreeCodecPack Virus but that classification is not entirely correct. At most, it’s a potentially unwanted program or adware. It’s not going to harm the computer directly but it is very annoying to deal with. Not to mention that its generated ads can expose you to all kinds of questionable content.

Once it installs, it will be attached to popular browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and start bombarding your screen with advertisements. Since it’s adware, it will try to expose you to as many ads as possible in order to generate revenue. The ads will have signs that say “powered by FreeCodecPack”, “connected to FreeCodecPack”, “ads by FreeCodecPack”, and similar. The thing about adware generated ads is that they aren’t safe to interact with, particularly the pop-ups and redirects. Those two types of ads are the most annoying and dangerous part of adware, as it not only interrupts your browsing in a very noticeable way but also exposes you to potential scams or malware.

You could be redirected to websites that falsely claim your computer is infected with something and that you need to download the offered program or call the displayed phone number. These are usually referred to as tech-support scams because they try to scam users into paying money by pretending to be legitimate technical support. You could also be redirected to sites that try to trick you into downloading malicious files, or ones that claim you have won some kind of prize. Because adware ads are not always safe, it’s best to avoid any ad interaction while adware is installed on the computer.

One last thing we should note is that adware tracks browsing activities and collects information related to search queries, visited sites, ads clicked on, the IP address, etc. This information can then be used to show you ads tailored to your interests.

FreeCodecPack removal

Using anti-virus software to remove FreeCodecPack Virus is easiest because the program does everything. You can try to delete FreeCodecPack Virus manually but adware can be a rather persistent infection so it may take some time. Once the adware is no longer present, your browsing will go back to normal.

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Automatic FreeCodecPack Virus removal

Using anti-spyware or other malware removal program to delete FreeCodecPack Virus is advised. The application will take care of everything, as deleting these programs is its aim. These applications are very easy to use and ought to easily delete FreeCodecPack Virus. However, you can uninstall FreeCodecPack Virus manually, and you’ll find instructions below.

How to manually remove FreeCodecPack Virus from Windows

Windows XP

1. Press the windows key on the keyboard to open Start menu (or simply click Start), then press Settings and then Control Panel.
   
2. Click on Add or Remove Programs.
3. Locate and delete FreeCodecPack Virus.
   
4. You ought to also do the same with all other programs you do not recognise.

Windows 7

1. Open Control Panel by pressing Start and then Control Panel.
   
2. Choose Programs and Features and then Uninstall a program.
   
3. Find FreeCodecPack Virus and remove it.
   
4. If there are any other suspicious applications, uninstall them as well.

Windows 8/10

1. You’ll have to access Programs and Features by right-clicking on Start and selecting Programs and Features.
   
2. Delete FreeCodecPack Virus.
   
3. Uninstall any other questionable program you don’t recognise.

How to manually delete FreeCodecPack Virus from Mac OS

It is pretty simple to delete FreeCodecPack Virus from your Mac computer. But deleting the program won’t be enough, you’ll also need to remove any related files.

1. Click on Finder (the first icon from the left on your dock) and select Applications from the menu on the left.
   
2. Locate FreeCodecPack Virus and put it to the trash (the trash icon located on the dock).
   
3. Check through all your installed programs, and delete anything else that cause suspicion.
4. If you click Go on the menu bar, you’ll see Go to Folder, click that.
   
5. Type /Library/LaunchAgents, and drag any dubious files to the trash.
   
6. Access Go to Folder again, and put in /Library/Application Support. Drag all dubious files to the trash.
   
7. Go back to Go to Folder, and type ~/Library/LaunchAgents. Put to the trash any questionable and recently-added files.
   
8. Open Go to Folder again, and type /Library/LaunchDaemons. trash any suspicious and recently-added files.
9. Do not forget to empty the trash by right-clicking on the trash icon and pressing Empty Trash.
   

FreeCodecPack Virus removal from your Internet browser

Uninstall FreeCodecPack Virus from Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Open the menu (the gear icon top-right corner), and choose Manage Add-ons.
   
3. Click Remove on FreeCodecPack Virus and all unknown extensions.
4. Click the gear icon and select Internet Options.
5. If you access the General tab, you will be able to modify your homepage page.
   
6. Press on the gear icon (top-right corner), and press on Manage Add-ons.
   
7. Press Search Providers (from the left side menu, change the search engine after you delete the one FreeCodecPack Virus set for your browser.

In case FreeCodecPack Virus is still giving you issues, you may have to restore your browser’s settings to default.

1. If your computer is running Windows XP, Start – Run, type inetcpl.cpl, access Advanced and click Reset.
   
2. For users using devices running Windows Vista/7, press the windows logo, type in inetcpl.cpl in the search box and click Enter. Access the Advanced tab and press Reset.
3. If your computer is running Windows 8/10, open Internet Explorer, gear icon – Internet Options – Advanced tab – Reset. Confirm the reset by clicking Reset again.
   

FreeCodecPack Virus removal from Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Menu (the three dots right-corner of the screen) – More tools – Extensions.
   
3. Locate and remove FreeCodecPack Virus, as well as any other extension you cannot identify.
   
4. Press on the three dots top-right corner of the screen and press on Settings.
   
5. You may modify your homepage in On startup.
   
6. Go to Search engine from the menu tab on the left, then Manage search engines, change your search engine.
   

In case FreeCodecPack Virus is still present, your browser’s settings may need to be reset to default.

1. Open Google Chrome, menu (the three dots) – Settings.
   
2. Go down, press on Advanced and go down until you see Reset.
   
3. Click Reset and then click Reset again.
   

FreeCodecPack Virus deletion from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click the menu (the three bars), and click Add-ons.
   
3. Open Extensions, find and delete FreeCodecPack Virus, and any other unknown extension.
   
4. Click the menu (the three bars top right), and press Preferences.
   
5. If you go to the Home tab, you’ll see that FreeCodecPack Virus set an odd page as your homepage, set it to one of your choice.
   
6. Proceed to the Search tab from the menu on the left, change your search engine from the one FreeCodecPack Virus set for you to something of your preference.

If you’re still having problems, your browser’s settings will need to be reset.

1. Menu (the three bars) – Help – Troubleshoot information.
   
2. Click Refresh Firefox.
3. Click Refresh Firefox again.
   

FreeCodecPack Virus removal from Safari

1. Launch Safari.
2. Safari (from the menu bar at the top) – Preferences.
   
3. Open the Extensions tab, find and delete FreeCodecPack Virus, and any other extension you can’t identify.
   
4. In the General tab, delete the web page FreeCodecPack Virus set as your homepage and choose one of your choice.
   
5. Access the Search tab, change your search engine from the one FreeCodecPack Virus set for you to something of your preference.

If you’re still having trouble, your browser’s settings will have to be restored.

1. Launch Safari, click on Safari (on the menu bar at the top), and press Clear History.
   
2. Click Safari (from the menu bar at the top), press Preferences and access to the Advanced tab.
   
3. Check the Show Develop menu in menu bar box.
   
4. Click on Develop on the menu bar and then on Empty Caches.

FreeCodecPack Virus deletion from Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Press the three dots at the top-right corner of the screen, and press Extensions.
   
3. Find and remove FreeCodecPack Virus, as well as any other unfamiliar extension.
4. Menu (the three dots) – Settings.
5. In the On startup tab, remove the homepage set by FreeCodecPack Virus and pick one of your preference.
   
6. Go to Privacy and services tab, modify your search engine.
   

If that did not solve your problems, your browser’s settings will have to be reset.

1. Open Microsoft Edge, open menu (the three dots), select Settings, click on the Reset settings tab.
2. Select Restore settings to their default values. Reset.