Torch Browser is a Chromium-based browser that might lead to unwanted ads

Torch Browser (developed by Torch Media Inc.) is a web browser that is being used by thousands of Internet users. It's a Chromium-based web browser with a built-in media grabber, torrent, player, music, games, facelift, and similar utilities.
| Name | Torch Browser |
| Type | Web browser |
| Developer | Torch Media Inc. |
| Issues | Might be bundled with other software and promote advertisements during web browsing sessions |
| Removal | You can uninstall the program easily by following our instructions below |
| Optional steps | If you frequently download apps from third-party sources, you might be infected with adware or even malware. Thus, scan your device with anti-malware and then repair any damage done by a virus with FortectIntego |
Unfortunately, Torch Browser aroused various doubts among Internet users who even claim that:
It comes 'bundled' with a lot of questionable toolbars and programs. Some that are considered outright malware, have Torch bundled. In my malware testing, I have had torch installed with malware.
Many security-related websites also consider Torch Browser to be quite untrustworthy. It is blamed for catching the users and spreading adware. Despite all of these accusations, this web browser is not a dangerous piece of software.
Nevertheless, it's considered a potentially unwanted program and is equalized to adware due to several reasons. Commonly it is promoted via free software, which is why many people found it as a new default browser out of nowhere.
Besides, it is accused of using a computer's resources and slowing it down. It may even block users' attempts to use another web browser and will certainly not allow resetting the default browser. Besides, it may enable tracking cookies and start collecting related to a user's browsing habits, including:
- search terms
- websites visited
- links clikced
- timestamps, etc.
Moreover, Torch Browser is blamed for spreading the Ask toolbar, which is offered and set by default during the installation. Consequently, if you do not analyze the installation of this web browser or another freeware, you may find search.tb.ask.com set as your default search provider or may continuously experience redirects to this domain.
Besides, once installed, Torch Browser may start displaying tons of commercial ads during your browsing. It's not very likely they will be generated by this tool itself. It is more likely that adware-type programs, such as AlgoChord, AppSave, SaveOn, etc. will enter your PC in one pack with Torch and start initiating advertising.
Therefore, if you have just interfered with software that you haven't downloaded manually, we highly recommend you to check the machine with a reputable anti-spyware, such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or another tool. Besides, if a full system scan showed you some malware hidden within your system, use FortectIntego after eliminating it to fix any possible system damage to ensure the computer's well-being.

Potentially unwanted applications are included as optional components within freeware packages
Torch Browser is usually distributed via software packages. In some of the cases, it has been found spreading via software updates (Java, Flash Player, etc.), but that's a relatively rare case. Usually, it's installer is bundled with other free programs.
People must start paying more attention to the installation of freeware and shareware because third parties have started misusing this gap for making people install unwanted tools without even realizing that. It's a big mistake not to read terms given on the installation wizard because 'additional components' may be skipped and installed by default.
To prevent this from happening, we highly recommend people to select Advanced or Custom installation options all the time and monitor the entire installation step-by-step. Besides, people should be more careful when installing free software from third-party download websites, including:
- Softonic
- Cnet
- Softpedia
- Download.com
- Soft32, among many others.
Remove Torch Browser if you don't like it
As previously mentioned, one of the main reasons for Torch Browser removal might be due to its sneaky infiltration. Users simply find it set as a default browser seemingly out of nowhere, and they notice that links are being rerouted through it. It is an issue to fix, and all you have to do is uninstall the app from your computer, as explained below.
After you remove Torch Browser, it is highly recommended you run a full system scan with reputable security software. This is especially important if you often download software from various third-party sources and could have installed something much more perilous than this browser (which is technically harmless).
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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