How to remove Google WebHP virus

WebHP – a term used to describe a suspicious Chrome redirect activity

WebHP virus is a term that many users adapted after they saw a suspicious behavior when using their Google Chrome web browser. According to users, each time when they load their homepage or search for something online, they are instead redirected^[1] to google.com/webhp. In most cases, the activity is only prevalent when searching through the omnibar.

This activity is difficult for many users to explain, as they seek to find the root causes of such redirects. While the term “WebHP virus” sounds dangerous, in reality, it is not likely to be a virus. First of all, suspicious homepage and new tab address changes can be related to a browser hijacker – a type of a potentially unwanted program that modifies web browser settings to insert ads into users' searchers.

This is especially true if any attempt to search online using the assigned engine results in the list filled with advertisements, redirects, banners, and in-text links the lead to suspicious material online with the purpose of rerouting to sponsored pages. Experts report that computer users that experience continuous redirects to http://google.com/webhp should also check their computers for the Conduit virus. These are the computer intruders that focus on forcing users to visit low-quality websites, possible advertising platforms, so the revenue can get easily made from all the page visits and clicks on pop-ups ads. 

However, this activity also might be related to internal Google processes, namely ones related to how the company handles search results and implements security certificates, known as SSL. Therefore, users might also encounter similar behavior with https //www.google.com/ gws_rd=ssl redirect.

Google also uses different scripts that are based on users' location. Therefore, some users might also encounter https //www.google.es/ gws_rd=ssl if they are coming from Spain, for example.

HTTP redirects are usually considered suspicious, as they might indicate an infection of a browser hijacker or another potentially unwanted program. These apps are typically installed unintentionally by users due to a well-known, deceptive distribution technique known as software bundling. Alternatively, they might also be tricked by misleading advertisements, or fake update prompts. However, some might also install PUPs on their systems when believing that it could be a good addition to web browsing activities.

The so-called Chrome WebHP virus infiltrates the computer system silently and adds a hazardous browser extension^[2] to an affected web browser. It can also change the browser’s homepage to google.com/webhp or google.co.uk/webhp.

Google WebHP can also display misleading ads pushing users into installing fake updates and useless programs. Promotional ads can have direct download scripts and lead to other related intruder installations like Searchou. This redirect issue occurs on Firefox, Chrome, Safari browsers, and can lead to serious problems with performance, speed, security, or privacy issues. 

These websites look exactly like the real Google search engine. Unfortunately, due to its resemblance to the real Google search, it can deceive the computer user and trick him/her into using it, thinking that it is a safe search engine.

Unfortunately, the fake search engine that is provided by this virus is dangerous to use because it can trigger redirects to various third-party websites, which can be malicious or provide misleading content. Please, do not use this search engine if you see the webhp appended to the URL.

The hijacker can compromise your search settings despite the country you live in, so for example, French PC users might start experiencing redirects to google.fr/webhp.^[3] In this case, make sure you initiate Google WebHP redirect removal. For that, you can either uninstall all suspicious third-party software and reset your web browsers or scan your computer with FortectIntego for the further function repair.

Reportedly, this hijacker slithers into the computer system along with the infamous Conduit Toolbar, so make sure you remove it as well. Beware that sometimes the hijacker doesn't even change the homepage address in the browser, causing additional problems while trying to eliminate it. In this case, check Chrome's Omnibox which should deliver you altered search results each time you attempt to search via URL box.

If you cannot remember installing Conduit or similar third-party software, you need to remove it together with other suspicious files from your computer. This should fix the issue with the Google WebHP virus. The best way to do so would be running a scan with anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.

Potentially unwanted programs might appear on your system without permission

The most of redirect viruses manage to enter computer systems in a rather subtle way. They typically pretend to be safe-to-use programs and even present themselves as “recommended” software. However, they do not reveal themselves in a direct way. They spread along with other free applications and get installed in one software bundle. 

As you have understood, the browser hijacker is distributed in software packs, so in order to avoid installing it, you need to decompose such software packs. When you launch the installer of software you have just downloaded, do not rush!

Please read absolutely all information the installer provides, including Terms of Use/Privacy Policy documents. After that, proceed to the next step. Once you reach installation “settings,” choose either Advanced or Custom option (NOT Default/Standard ones!). Then simply deselect all suspicious-looking components.

Google WebHP removal instructions

To remove Google WebHP, you need to carefully review the list of programs that were recently installed on your computer, and also all browser extensions that were added without your knowledge. You have to delete all programs and extensions that you cannot remember installing.

WebHP virus can be related to potentially unwanted programs and you should not ignore its existence because it can pose a threat to your computer. The sooner you run the anti-malware program the better because you can clear threats properly from the machine and avoid further damage.

Please follow the Google Webhp removal instructions provided under this article and you will easily banish the malware from your computer. No matter what, we strongly recommend you to scan your computer with our recommended computer security software to see if there are no other dangerous programs silently diminishing your computer’s performance or posing a threat to it.

It is also important to note that you will most likely be unable to remove the so-called https //www.google.com/ gws_rd=ssl virus from your system, as it is not related to malicious activity but used by Google itself.