Web Optimum might bombard your web browser with annoying ads

WebOptimum is an adware[1] program that is responsible for delivering tons of advertisements on the affected web browser and redirecting users to the promotional websites. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) usually sneaks inside the system bundled with various free applications.
The WebOptimum virus has been noticed spreading in the form of the browser extension. This add-on is not available in the official app stores, such as Chrome Web Store. However, it might arrive on the system in the software bundle. One of the first signs of the browser hijack is changed homepage to EZ Search.
If adware sneaks inside the system you can find one of these processes running too:
- WebOptimum.exe,
- WebOptimum-bg.exe,
- WebOptimum-bho64.dll,
- WebOptimum-nova.exe.
If you see one of these processes running on your PC, you should scan the system with FortectIntego or another anti-malware to remove WebOptimum from the device until it hasn’t flooded your browser’s with ads. This adware might cause havoc when you browse the web using Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and other web browsers.
The Web Optimum adware might compromise DNS settings[2] and enables its extension by force. Right after that, seeking to generate advertising revenue boost traffic to affiliate websites, it starts generating targeting advertisements. “Web Optimum Ads” are indeed intrusive. They show up on random websites and in very irritating forms (pop-up ads, banner ads, in-text links, interstitials, video ads, new tab ads, etc.) and can be excluded into two main categories:
- Sponsored advertisements. Web Optimum redirects typically make people visit affiliate websites that need to increase page rank or boost sales. Such advertisements are annoying because due to their intrusiveness you may click on them accidentally and be redirected to unwanted websites quite frequently. Security experts from Les Virus[3] note, that ad-supported program might redirect to potentially dangerous websites too.
- Fake advertisements. In some of the occasions, Web Optimum virus may generate third-party ads that may be used for spreading malware/PUP or even virus.[4] Such pop-ups may or may not be marked as “Ads by WebOptimum.” Anyway, such ads typically urge people to upgrade Java, Media Player, Flash Player, VLC Player, web browser, download manager, and so on. Thus, clicking on “Download” or “Update now” buttons can lead to other computer-related issues.
Potentially dangerous WebOptimum redirect tendencies are not the only problem related to this cyber threat. This PUP might also use tracking cookies to collect various information about users, including search queries, pages viewed, data that attract people's attention, and collection of PC's IP address, approximate geolocation, email address, and similar non-personal information.
However, no one can assure that adware cannot collect and share with third-parties personal details as well. Thus, in order to avoid privacy-related issues,[5] you should focus on WebOptimum removal as soon as you found suspicious ads on your browser.

Adware distribution methods
We have already mentioned that the WebOptimum hijack might occur when users download various free programs from the Internet. The adware might sneak inside when users choose Quick/Standard installation settings which do not openly disclose about third-party software.
In order to avoid unintentional installation of PUPs, you should always opt for Advanced/Custom settings and carefully follow each of the steps. If you encounter the list of “optional downloads,” remove ticks from pre-selected entries and stop their installation.
Getting rid of the WebOptimum ads
The annoying ads are delivered by adware program. Thus, to get rid of them, you have to remove WebOptimum from the computer. You can follow the instructions below and delete virus-related programs and files from the system.
For complete WebOptimum removal, you should also reset each of the web browsers installed on your PC. This helps to delete tracking cookies and get rid of other invisible adware-related components.
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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