How to Remove iLivid

Some people wonder how they managed to acquire a mass of unwanted applications. Despite having an anti-virus protection, unwanted applications still get in somehow. Let's take for example iLivid.

What is iLivid?

In short, it's a download manager and video player. While it is not technically considered malware or virus, it can be fairly classified as potentially unwanted application. This uninvited guest, usually comes bundled with freeware or simply through the use of fake online ads claiming that you need to download and install iLivid download manager to get certain video files faster and for free. The problem is that it can also take control of your web browser as well as preferred search engines. Unwanted application often tags along as a software bundle when downloading a program. Using a variety of deceptive practices, the download process might try to add unwanted software to your package of installation. Normally, it takes the form of an already selected checkbox. Users who do not carefully read each sentence hastily click 'Next' or 'Continue', therefore accidentally allowing the installation of these cluttering applications. Other times, unclear buttons, "recommendations" or items cleverly disguised in the terms of service are tools that play a role. In rare cases, tag-along foistware is installed without any prompt or warning.

Is ilivid safe?

Well, it isn't malware which is a good news if you have already installed it on your computer. However, iLivid comes from an adware vendor Bandoo. I'm sure you know what adware means. Yes, it's an application that may and most likely will display advertisements while surfing the net. It's bundled with any number of freeware, to give the developer some affiliate revenue. What is more, this application will install Search-Results Toolbar (Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer) and iLivid New Tabs (Google Chrome). It will set your homepage to searchnu.com and change your default web search engine to search-results.com.

People assume that this problem comes from shady websites. However, most of these offenders are some of the most popular and trusted names in online software. If you attempt to update your Skype, Adobe Reader, Flash Player or the Foxit Reader, for instance, you will see that Adobe insists on the McAfee Security scan, a program which you most likely don’t need since you've already installed your own anti-virus program, the Foxit Reader pushes on the Ask.com toolbar, whereas, Skype pushes software extras such as Bing and MSN.

The internet is full of free browser add-ons promising better searches, convenient access to your preferred social networks, and other aids. While some of these are legit such as the Google Toolbar, most of them are spyware or adware. Installing these will give you overwhelming advertising pop-ups from adult content to fake security software. Some of these BHOs display numerous ads rapidly, which makes it impossible to navigate or close your browser normally. When this happens, the only option is to close the web browser using Task Manager.

Other browser helper objects are subtler. While they may not give pop-ups, they are secretly taking note of your web surfing activity. They log information about websites you visit and links clicked. Keys pressed are also collected and sent to spymasters. This data is potentially used to target ads of your interests, or may be used for hacking your password and usernames.

Removing iLivid and associated applications

Right-clicking the unwanted toolbar might bring a prompt to uninstall the said toolbar from the browser. Chances are you might have removed them visually but they still remain hidden. To remove ilivid, click Start, then go to Control Panel. Select Add/Remove Programs if you are using Windows XP. For Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click “Uninstall Program” which is also seen in the Control Panel. Locate the application in your list of programs installed in order to attempt to uninstall it. There are times when such potentially unwanted applications appear to be removed, but comes back later. This is especially true for web browser extensions and web search engines.

Some of them have a hidden registry key or program, which cannot be removed, by the uninstall file. Upon rebooting your computer, the hidden program installs by itself. Extra steps need to be taken in order to remove this malware. For example, you want to remove the remnant traces of iLivid, you will have to reset certain preferences manually.

• How to remove Searchnu
• How to remove Searchqu
• How to remove search-results.com
• How to remove PUP.Datamngr
• How to remove Bandoo

You should also scan your computer with an anti-malware program. At times, several anti-malware programs are needed to be installed since a program alone cannot recognize all potentially unwanted toolbars and harmful browser helper objects. To remove iLivid from your computer, please follow the removal instructions below.

Of course, prevention is better than cure. One of the best ways to avoid unwanted toolbars and applications is to be careful during installation of free software. Be sure to read the terms of use carefully in order to see if there are any cleverly hidden agreements on application installations. Instead of clicking next or continue hastily, be alert and uncheck third party applications that you do not want on your computer.

Do you have any additional information or questions on the iLivid? Post your comment or question below. Good luck and be safe online!

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iLivid removal instructions:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this browser hijacker. Hopefully you won't have to do that.

2. Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.



If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following entries:

• iLivid
• Search-Results Toolbar
• Bandoo

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Remove PUP.Datamngr (Uninstall Guide)

Potentially unwanted programs typically contain adware, install toolbars or browser helper objects usually without the conscious consent or knowledge of the user. Not only do they make your browser look extremely cluttered, but potentially unwanted applications also have other unclear and very often harmful or at least unethical objectives. For example, I get many questions about PUP.Datamngr. Users keep removing it through antivirus software but it keeps showing up.

What is PUP.Datamngr?

PUP stands for potentially unwanted program. Datamngr could be anything really, but my guess is that it's a data management module. This can be confirmed only by Bandoo media. This company develops iLivid and some other products. PUP.Datamngr is a part of pretty much all of their products. Do you need to worry?‎ Well, you may easily find articles and forum posts about this program created by users who can't remove it and probably because of that they say that PUP.Datamngr is a virus. Technically, it's not a virus but it doesn't mean you should leave it installed on your computer. Especially, if you don't know where it came from and what it does. Datamngr comes bundled with Bandoo media products, usually iLivid download manager which installs this browser helper object and changes your web search engine to search-results.com and homepage to searchnu.com/406. Bandoo media products are promoted in various ways, but normally you can download them via file hosting websites. File-hosting websites often do not notify software vendors or download recipients about these modifications made, and do not conveniently allow opting out of the modification. In this case however, they advertise products in rather misleading ways so that people don't actually know what they are installing.



As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Nowadays, most free software download bundles includes a number of unwanted toolbar in their software package. In most cases, software with bundled toolbars and BHOs offers its users the option to check the toolbars or potentially unwanted applications they want to be installed. Most of these PUPs or BHOs are already pre-checked. But with the tedious wall of text during installation, users sometimes grow impatient during this part and merely click "Next" in a hurry, without reading any of the statements seriously. After the installation is complete, they are then surprised at how they managed to end up with a variety of toolbars and search engine providers that they don't really need or want in the first place. This is one of the biggest mistakes during installation of any program, and many people are guilty of it.

While sometimes a toolbar can be useful or necessary, you have to ask yourself if this is what you really wanted. Most likely it isn't.

Physically, toolbars consume extra space in browsers, leaving you with less space to view webpage content. In terms of browser performance, a surplus of additional toolbars causes a longer start-up time and can slow down your web browser. Thus, it can interfere with some web pages you want to visit, and cause compatibility issues with your already installed toolbars or add-ons. Sometimes, this excess of unwanted toolbars can even crash your browser. Moreover, some of these toolbars give additional loading points such as service and run keys, causing your computer to slow down not just with internet browsing but in general. For example, PUP.Datamngr launches a process DATAMN~1.EXE which stays active in the background and runs automatically when Windows starts. Needless to say, such processes should be removed if you want to to avoid wasting system resources.



Take note that not all potentially unwanted applications and toolbars are harmless. Some of them can monitor the history of your browser activities. Do you want them redirecting your searches online? Do you want them to customize your start page and display targeted advertisements? If your answer is no, then you're better off getting rid of PUP.Datamngr and associated applications.

How to remove PUP.Datamngr?

First of all, use Windows built-in option called "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel. For Windows 7 and Windows Vista, this is under "Programs and Features." Check the list to see if it's listed there, and simply uninstall it. Normally, PUP.Datamngr isn't listed a standalone application because it's only a module. You should look for iLivid, Bandoo, Search-Results toolbar or Searchqu toolbar and uninstall them. Also think of recently installed applications, they may be bundled with this module as well.



Sometimes, users have to remove this application manually. Google Chrome users have to remove iLivid New Tabs and BrowserProtect extensions. Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer users have to remove Datamngr 1.0 and Search-Results toolbar 1.2.0.0 web browser extensions and add-ons. To remove PUP.Datamngr from your computer, please follow the removal instructions below.

Do you have any additional information or questions on the PUP.Datamngr? Post your comment or question below. Good luck and be safe online!

Related articles:

• Remove Searchnu (Uninstall Guide)
• Remove Search-results.com Redirect and Search-Results Toolbar
• How to Remove Searchqu (Uninstall Guide)

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PUP.Datamngr removal instructions:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this browser hijacker. Hopefully you won't have to do that.

2. Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.



If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following entries:

• iLivid
• Search-Results Toolbar
• Bandoo
• Searchqu Toolbar

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Remove PUP.Datamngr from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon. Go to Tools → Extensions.

2. Select iLivid New Tabs and BrowserProtect and click on the small recycle bin icon to remove the extension.

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Remove PUP.Datamngr from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Remove Search-Results toolbar and DataMngr. Close the window.



2. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.



Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.



In the search filter at the top, type: datamngr



Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed PUP.Datamngr. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!

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Remove PUP.Datamngr from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.



2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Select DataMngr by Bandoo Media and click Disable/Remove.



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Remove Search-results.com Redirect and Search-Results Toolbar

Have you ever experienced enjoying your lazy Sunday afternoon just browsing though your emails and talking to friends on the Internet when your web browser suddenly gets hijacked to search-results.com? First you would think that this might just be a coincidence, or maybe you just clicked on some random link accidentally, so you hit back or open a new tab. But then it happens again, and again, and again, until you suddenly notice that some settings on your computer weren't the way they were supposed to be. My friend, the most likely explanation for these events is that your browser has just been hijacked.

No, not hijacked in the literal sense; rather, it means that your Internet browser has been infected by a parasite. Not so many people are aware of this, but browser hijacking has now become a common occurrence these days, with more and more individuals learning how to use the Internet. The sad part is that almost anyone can get hijacked, young or old, computer-savvy or not; and this may either be the result of simply clicking an unwanted link accidentally, or just by being ignorant about these things.

What you need to know about the Search-results.com Browser Hijacker

First of all, browser hijackers are caused by unwanted application that can be acquired from installing malicious and free web content, say for example, browser toolbar options. In this case, it probably came with the Search Results toolbar. These kinds of applications take advantage of the latent imperfections of your computer's Internet browser and manipulate them in such a way that they can change the default home-page settings to whatever page the hijacker software was designed for. More often than not, these browser hijackers change your home page into advertising websites let's take for example MyWebSearch, and usually, direct you to shady or full of ads websites, sometimes even adult sites. These kinds of events may prove to be disturbing if for example, it was a child who has accessed information off the Internet. On the other hand, if this was an office setting and browser hijackers infected majority of the computers, work productivity could suffer greatly due to the time it takes to navigate the page away from all the advertising and ill-advised content.



Besides, when users search for something directly from omnibox in Google Chrome or directly from the address bar, the word or a phrase appears to be searched with www1.search-results.com. This happens because Search Results toolbar changes default web search engine to dts.search-results.com which basically takes the keyword and then returns search results through www1.search-results.com. There's nothing really surprising that users are not happy with such modifications and want to change it let's say Google or Bing.

Changing pre-set preferences on your Internet browser is the least of your worries when the search-results.com browser hijacker infects your computer. Some of the more advanced software out there has the capacity of studying your surfing patterns, like which sites you often visit at which time of day. This way, the software can flood you with more advertising websites during the time when you want to be left alone during Internet searches. Some hijackers have the capacity to remove some queries off your search engine, leaving you with bits and pieces of broken references, whereas the virus is blocking the useful pages from your search.

But the most dangerous kinds of browser hijackers are the ones that block your most visited sites, especially the ones where you get to input your username and password. This is because upon blockading these websites, the viruses often steal your personal information like credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords, and send them directly to the one who created the virus. Of course this wouldn't mean anything to a 17-year old computer genius who just wanted to fool around with the tech-wiz they have. But imagine if this sensitive personal information fell into syndicate groups who hired computer-savvy individuals to steal these data with malicious intent; these may lead to robbery, fraud, and even identity theft.

How to get rid of the search-results.com direct

You can imagine the kind of damage these simple viruses can inflict on an individual, what more if the infected computers were by a privately owned company, or worse, a government institution? First of all, once search-results.com hijacking is suspected, just simply close down your browser. If you still have another browser on your computer, make sure to download a real-time anti-malware program that can remove the browser hijacker. Once downloaded, sweep your entire system for any malware or spyware, and immediately delete/trash any scanned malicious software. Once the sweep is finished, check all the toolbars and add-ons (DataMngr and Search-Results toolbar) of the browser that were infected, and make sure to delete any add-on that you do not recall downloading. To remove search-results.com redirect and Search Results toolbar from your computer, please follow the removal instructions below.

With regards to the prevention of future virus infestations on your laptop, knowledge, and not ignorance, is always bliss. Always be aware of the sites you are visiting and which software you are downloading. Make sure that you are not installing any unnecessary or unfamiliar products on your computer, and do not be lured by "free" applications. These are the ones that usually bring the most harm to your browser.

Lastly, if you have the extra money, learn to invest in a good anti-virus. Originally licensed anti-viruses in the market today usually come equipped with malware and spyware protection, as well as regular system check-ups. That way, you will never be blindsided by hijackers ever again. These anti-virus installers may come at a steep price depending on the brand, but protecting your computer should be an investment everybody is willing to make.

Do you have any additional information or questions on the search-results.com? Post your comment or question below. Good luck and be safe online!

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Search-results.com removal instructions:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this browser hijacker. Hopefully you won't have to do that.

2. Remove Search-results.com Search Engine and Search-Results Toolbar and/or related programs from your computer using the Add/Remove Programs control panel (Windows XP) or Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7 and Windows 8).

Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.



If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following entries:

• Search-Results toolbar
• iLivid
• Bandoo

Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.

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Remove Search-results.com from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon. Go to Tools → Settings.



2. Click Manage search engines button under Search.



Select Google or any other search engine you like from the list and make it your default search engine provider.



Select Search Results (search-results.com) from the list and remove it by clicking the "X" mark as shown in the image below.



3. Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon. Go to Tools → Extensions.

4. Select iLivid New Tabs and click on the small recycle bin icon to remove the extension.



5. Finally, to remove searchnu.com from Google Chrome, please read Remove Searchnu (Uninstall Guide).

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Remove Search-results.com from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.



2. Select Extensions. Remove Search-Results toolbar and DataMngr. Close the window.



3. Click on the Search Results search icon as shown in the image below and select Manage Search Engines....



4. Choose Search Results from the list and click Remove to remove it. Click OK to save changes.



5. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.



Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.



In the search filter at the top, type: search-results



Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by Search Results toolbar and dts.search-results.com. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!




5. To remove searchnu.com from Mozilla Firefox, you may either reset your web browser or follow this removal guide: Remove Searchnu (Uninstall Guide).

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Remove Search-results.com from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.



2. Select Search Providers. First of all, choose Live Search search engine and make it your default web search provider (Set as default).



3. Select Search Results and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.



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What is Widgi Toolbar Platform and How To Remove It

In the constant search for the best programs out there (preferably free), many users are suddenly finding out that they have accumulated applications and toolbars which have been installed on their computers seemingly without their knowledge and permission.

What is Widgi Toolbar Platform?

Unless you don't already have a proper anti-virus program installed, it's most likely that Widgi Toolbar and associated applications were your own doing, however unintentional. The problem strikes when users don't pay enough attention to how a program's installer runs itself on the computer. Most freeware, even the trusted ones, bundle their installers with useless toolbars and software (which sometimes verge on, if not entirely have malicious functions) in order to generate income. A little education about the matter should go a long way in avoiding the problem of having too many unwanted toolbars and browser helper objects on your computer.



A definition of sorts is necessary here because you'll hear many tech savvy people drop these terms like they're common knowledge. What exactly are unwanted toolbars and potentially unwanted applications, in this case Widgi Toolbar Platform? First, unwanted toolbars are simply toolbars for your browser that got installed without your active agreement, knowledge or even permission using silent installers. Most of these toolbars are nothing more than annoying eyesores on your browser (like the Ask.com toolbar that comes bundled with a lot of freeware). Some, though, are more malicious in nature; these toolbars have the ability to collect information about your surfing activity without your knowledge and send it out to be used for other purpose. This is the reason why some antivirus programs detect this platform as Win32/Toolbar.Widgi or simply flag it as PUA. Though malicious browsers are something to worry about, it's good to know that they are a minority. It's still necessary to note that too many toolbars and BHOs installed can turn into a huge problem for your internet browsing experience, since they will slow down your browser or even crash it. For example, Widgi Toolbar by Spigot launches a process called SearchSettings.exe which runs in the background and works as a search settings protector. It runs automatically every time Windows starts and may even cause web browser crashes.



Potentially unwanted applications, on the other hand, are programs that you've deliberately installed. They have the potential to become either a nuisance or a piece of malware when they start functioning in ways that you haven't authorized them to as an administrator. These unwanted functions can take the form of key-logging information you have typed for a period of time, scanning ports, or altering files in your computer's registry.

How did you get hijacked by the Widgi Toolbar?

It has been mentioned before that unwanted toolbars and applications get installed by the very actions of users, except in a few cases. How does it happen? Well, most cases occur when users don't pay enough attention to what is written beside all those checked boxes that they see when installing a program. It can be because they don't know any better or are in too much of a hurry to read, instead opting to look for and click "Next" to get the program up and running in no time. If you start paying close attention to a program installer, you'll start noticing it a lot. One page of an installer usually has a pre-checked with a statement confirming that you want to install a toolbar or an application and give it default status for certain tasks. If you were reading through each step of the installer carefully all this time, you would have caught this and unchecked the box, saving a lot of trouble and headaches in the long run. On the other hand, software authors use silent installers to install Widgi Toolbar and similar adware. So, users can't always see what's exactly happening when they install downloaded software, for example PDF Forge toolbar or Dealio toolbar.

If you weren't paying that much attention before and you now have those unwanted toolbars and applications to show for it, there is no need to wallow in regret. If you've lucked out and most of the toolbars and applications you've unintentionally installed are of the harmless nuisance kind, you can go through these simple steps for removing them. The first option is to open up Control Panel and proceed to the programs list, where you are given the option to either uninstall or change a program. Once you can see all the programs listed on your computer, pick out the toolbars and applications that don't belong and uninstall them. If all the toolbars and applications you didn't want are gone after this stage, you may focus your efforts somewhere else.

How to remove Widgi Toolbar?

If uninstalling from Control Panel left some other pesky toolbars which is sadly a very common practice, open up your browser and go to its settings or tools page. Look for an extensions tab, which should list all the extensions that have been installed in the browser, and select all the unwanted toolbars on the list. Delete them, restart your browser, and continue your toolbar-free browsing experience.

If neither one of these options removes the toolbar or application you want to get rid of, what you have on your hands is a more malicious type of program. For these kinds of applications, you are going to need to run recommend anti-malware software. It should take care of the Widgi Toolbar and associated applications. To remove Widgi Toolbar from your computer, please follow the removal instructions below.

To avoid malicious software in the future, make it a habit to carefully read program installers. It's also good to read reviews on the programs you want to install to make sure that they aren't malware in disguise. Additionally, downloading from trusted sources makes a sensible safety measure.

Do you have any additional information or questions on the Widgi Toolbar? Post your comment or question below. Good luck and be safe online!

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Widgi Toolbar Platform removal instructions:

1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this browser hijacker. Hopefully you won't have to do that.

2. Widgi Toolbar Platform is rarely installed as a standalone application. Usually, it is bundled with software and web toolbars such as PDF Forge, Dealio and similar applications. So, the first think you should do is uninstall Widgi Toolbar Platform if exists and any associated application which you installed recently.

Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.



If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".



Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.



3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove Widgi Toolbar Platform, PDF Forge Toolbar, Dealio Toolbar and any other software that you installed recently.

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Remove Widgi Toolbar Platform from Google Chrome:

1. Click on Customize and control Google Chrome icon. Go to Tools → Extensions.

2. Select Widgi Toolbar Platform from the list of extensions, and click Uninstall.

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Remove Widgi Toolbar Platform from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.

2. Select Extensions. Remove Widgi Toolbar Platform extension. Close the window.

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Remove Widgi Toolbar Platform from Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.

2. Remove all Widgi Toolbar Platform components: PDF Forge, Dealio and similar. Close the window.

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