Elite Web Tool virus (Removal Instructions) - Jul 2017 update
Elite Web Tool virus Removal Guide
What is Elite Web Tool virus?
Elite Web Tool virus tracks your web searches
Elite Web Tool virus is a deceptive browser extension that monitors your web searches. It is compatible with Google Chrome browser at the moment. It was added and updated quite recently, so it turns out to be a new add-on.
The extension will redirect all the searches you make via your browser's URL bar through several suspicious sites, such as hxxp://betteresults.net/. It addresses this site first, and then redirects to hxxp://blpsearch.com/. Finally, it leads you to search.yahoo.com results' page that might contain some sponsored search results.
You do not need extra knowledge to spot that it is a shady tool because of these aspects:
- Inappropriate official website;
- Unclear purpose;
- No privacy policy nor EULA.
If you visit the official website, quickmatch.club, you find yourself in a completely blank page that quickly launches an “Add Extension to Leave” pop-up. Such behavior surely does not present a trusted tool. Some users even describe the website as malicious as it prevents them from closing it immediately.
Since IT professionals have classified the extension as a potentially unwanted application, more specifically, a browser hijacker, you should get rid of it as soon as you can. If you are looking for a way to uninstall it, you may let FortectIntego to remove Elite Web Tool for you. In case you're looking for manual removal instructions, just scroll down to find them.
The suspicious extension that is advertised via quickmatch.club site is also available on the Google Chrome Web Store. Though Google constantly surveys the new content added to the store, there are still countless shady and useless applications. Recently, numerous similar tools similar to Elite Web Tool supplied the stock.
The domain name of this shady extension sounds like a dating site's name. However, if you expect to get a better insight, you fail to so as you run into a blank page.
On the other hand, such behavior might disguise more troublesome matters. There have been multiple cases when seemingly innocent websites facilitate or carry out exploit kits[1]. The latter hacking tools often deliver ransomware[2] or troublesome malware to users‘ devices.
On the final note, since the tool does not present any EULA or Terms of use, you can not be sure whether the application spies on your online activities/transmits your non-personal or personal information to third-parties or not. We believe that you should put Elite Web Tool removal at the top of your to-do list if you care about your privacy and want to search the Internet without encountering annoying redirections every now and then. 
More about “Add Extension to Leave” scam
Although the majority of suspicious programs travel in a bundle with freeware, Elite Web Tool hijacks computers in quite a unique way.
Typically, users who install it are already infected with some kind of spyware – usually adware that opens random web pages and causes web redirections. One of such redirects can point the user to quickmatch.club or similar site that prevents the user from closing the web page by demanding to add an unknown extension first.
You can quit such pages by clicking “Prevent this page from creating additional dialogues” and then closing the browser.
Potentially unwanted programs are also distributed in tandem with popular free applications via software bundling. In order not to install irrelevant applications, you should pay attention to the installation guides. Choose “Custom” settings rather than “Basic.” Carefully proceed to the installation steps to spot shady add-ons.
Click on the “Install” button only when you are sure that no unwanted add-ons are installed. Likewise, you will be able to evade Elite Web Tool or similar PUPs in the future.
Delete Elite Web Tool from Chrome now
You can get rid of this tool either manually or automatically. Elite Web Tool removal takes less time if you run a system scan with a PC security tool.
It is also possible to remove Elite Web Tool virus manually. Bear in mind that it is also compatible with Internet Explorer or MS Edge. Thus, you will need to proceed to each step manually.
You may combine these two methods if you are suspect that some elements have been left. Latvian users[3] should be especially wary as this tool might be highly promoted for them.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Elite Web Tool virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Despite what browser you use, make sure you attentively implement each step. Leaving some files might increase the overall vulnerability to browser malware.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Remove Elite Web Tool from Chrome. The given tutorial explains how to do it. If you cannot delete the suspicious extension, go to C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions folder and you will see folders named with long sets of characters.
These names match extension's ID on the Chrome store. Delete folders associated with shady extensions.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Elite Web Tool registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser plugins
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Catalin Cimpanu. Former Major Player Neutrino Exploit Kit Has Gone Dark. BleepingComputer. IT news, revoiews and tech support.
- ^ Sarah Coles. Ransomware attacks on the rise: could you be a victim?. AOL. Breaking News, Sport, Features and Video.
- ^ Kā novērst un noņemt datorvīrusus. IT ziņas, atsauksmes un vīrusu noņemšanas ceļveži.