Wave-abstract.com. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Wave-abstract.com is not worth your trust
Wave Abstract functions as a fake search engine which can take over regular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc. Likewise, it is classified as a browser hijacker by many IT specialists[1]. Despite how attractive this potentially unwanted program looks, you should never trust it.
If you encounter Wave-abstract.com hijack, you should notice that it has changed your new tab URL, homepage and default search engine to force you using its services on a daily basis. The worst part is that an inexperienced computer user cannot simply reset the modifications.
Furthermore, despite how insignificant the alterations might look, Wave Abstract does not deliver accurate search results — they are filled with sponsored ads to promote affiliate websites and generate pay-per-click revenue for its developers[2]. If that is not enough, some of the advertisements might be dangerous as well.
According to DieViren.de[3] specialists, Wave-abstract.com redirect tendency might lead you to shady websites where is a high risk of getting infected with other potentially unwanted programs or even malware. Therefore, you should neither click on the delivered ads nor continue using this unreliable application.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
Therefore, we recommend you to remove Wave-abstract.com from your system as soon as possible. The quickest way to do that is to employ a professional antivirus tool. Our top pick would be Reimage since it is designed to help people easily terminate various computer threats within seconds.
Besides, be aware that Wave Abstract might collect browsing-related information. Despite the fact that it usually is personally non-identifiable, this rogue software might ask you to complete surveys where personal details are required. Thus, you can unconsciously submit your name, email address and put your privacy at risk.
In spite of all the reasons mentioned above, we encourage you to perform Wave-abstract.com removal right after you notice its presence. You can use the manual elimination instructions which are attached at the end of this article.
PUPs enter your system without permission
Since developers employ a popular marketing technique to distribute potentially unwanted programs, it becomes even harder to detect them for an inexperienced computer user. They bundle browser hijackers together with freeware and hide the information about it.
You can protect your computer from PUPs by following a 4-step guide:
- Use a robust antivirus software and make sure to update it regularly;
- Download applications only from authorized developers;
- Always choose Custom/Advanced settings of the installer and closely monitor the procedure;
- De-select all marks which have been selected without your permission.
Wave Abstract removal process
You can get rid of Wave Abstract virus and its components automatically. This is the easiest way to clean both Mac and Windows computers from potentially unwanted programs. You only need to download it and run a full system scan. For that feel free to use any of the security tools listed below.
However, note that Wave-abstract.com removal requires uninstalling all its elements. Some of them might hide under different names and be hard to identify. Thus, we do not recommend people without specific IT skills to eliminate the browser hijacker manually.
Yet, those who feel confident enough can remove Wave-abstract.com with the help of the instructions below. They will also explain to you how to reset most popular browsers and get rid of the annoying redirects, ads and browser modifications.
You can remove Wave-abstract.com automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareNorton Internet Security. We recommend these applications because they can easily delete potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Wave-abstract.com, follow these steps:
Erase Wave-abstract.com from Windows systems
To completely eliminate Wave-abstract.com from Windows, you should follow the given instructions:
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Wave-abstract.com and related programs
Here, look for Wave-abstract.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Wave-abstract.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariRemove Wave-abstract.com from Mac OS X system
Mac users can clean their systems from the hijack by eliminating all suspicious entries.
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Wave-abstract.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Wave-abstract.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Wave-abstract.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Wave-abstract.com removal.
Get rid of Wave-abstract.com from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Wave-abstract.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariEliminate Wave-abstract.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Wave-abstract.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Wave-abstract.com removal.
Delete Wave-abstract.com from Google Chrome
You can bring Chrome to the primary state by uninstalling hijacker-related extensions and other unreliable entries.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Wave-abstract.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Wave-abstract.com removal.
Erase Wave-abstract.com from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Wave-abstract.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Wave-abstract.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Wave-abstract.com removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Margaret Rouse. browser hijacker (browser hijacking). TechTarget. Computer Glossary, Computer Terms.
- ^ Pay-Per-Click. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ DieViren. DieViren. Security and Spyware News.