Torch Browser - 2021 update
Torch Browser Removal Guide
What is Torch Browser?
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 SpyHunter 5Combo 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).
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 Torch Browser. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If you want to uninstall Torch Browser from Windows, you can proceed with the following instructions:
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
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 Torch Browser 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 system tools
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.