NetAssistant – mistype correction app with a few unwanted features

NetAssistant is a legitimate application, which was created by Freeze.com. However, no matter that it is legitimate, you should know that it may cause some issues while installed on the system. It has been reported about redirects to unknown websites, annoying ads that interrupt each of browsing sessions, slowdowns, and similar unwanted activities.
Also, beware that it has already been included in adware and a potentially unwanted program spread in a bundle with free downloads. That's why it has also been categorized as an adware-type program.
Similarly to other adware, it is compatible with all web browsers that are installed on the system, including:
- Internet Explorer
- Google Chrome
- MS Edge
- Mozilla Firefox, and a few other browsers.
That means a very simple thing – if this app infiltrates the system, it may settle down on each of your browsers and may start interrupting each of your search sessions. No matter which browser you decide to use, NetAssistant ads may follow you. You may think that this program is useful because it offers alternative suggestions for websites after you misspell or mistype their name.
However, as you may have already understood, it may also trick you into visiting its affiliate websites against your will. Besides, just like any other adware-type application, this program may start tracking your browsing on the web and may collect such data as your search terms or most visited websites.
Quite often, users who are infected with this PUP would see the following at the top of their web browser:
Breaking News Headlines. MyFreeze News. Get up to Date!
If you have been annoyed by its continuous pop-up notifications, browser redirects, and similar issues, you should remove NetAssistant from the system. You can get rid of adware with the help of a guide that is given at the end of this post or anti-malware software. FortectIntego can offer assistance in clearing up the mess that PUPs or malware might leave after they are gone.
Adware is spread via software bundles downloaded from third-parties
NetAssistant can be installed from its official website as a useful application that can improve user's browsing on the Internet. However, it may also show up on your machine without your permission asked. That's because it is spread in a bundle with freeware and shareware, which is always packed with:
- add-ons
- extensions
- plugins
- system optimizers, etc.
Developers of these free applications have clearly noticed that people don't pay appropriate attention to the installation process of such programs as download managers, PDF creators, video streaming software, etc.
That's why they started tricking these users into downloading more programs than they expect. To prevent the installation of additional downloads, you should always choose the Custom or Advanced installation method.
We also recommend reading each sentence during the installation process of the freeware and unchecking all check boxes that typically agree with NetAssistant's and similar programs' installation. If a PUP hijacked your browsers and started causing annoying activity on your computer, you should follow the guide below and fix your computer.
Delete NetAssistant adware
Adware has affected thousands of PCs worldwide, all while using ads for monetization purposes. In the meantime, end-users have to endure constant ads and potentially endanger their privacy and online security. Therefore, it is best to remove NetAssistant, as well as other potentially dangerous programs from your device as soon as possible.
There are two methods you can use for NetAssistant removal – manual and automatic. If you prefer to deal with unpleasant apps yourself, you can choose to follow our manual guide to assist you with this process. However, you can also employ anti-malware software that would clean the device for you and would do it quickly as well.
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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