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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Sep 2019

How to remove Webcrawler.com

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Julie Splinters · Anti-malware specialist

Webcrawler.com is the browser hijacker that distributes various add-ons and PUPs via software bundles and freeware installations

Webcrawler.comWebcrawler.com is a website that appears as an in-browser search engine and shows altered results that should improve your time online. However, all those claims created for promotional purposes are not true. This potentially unwanted program is everything but useful and valuable. There is no need to use this search engine as your default tool because all the results get filled with advertisements and suspicious redirects. 

Constant commercial content delivered by Webcrawler.com virus can also offer installations of questionable programs, tools, extensions. All that content can also have direct downloads embedded on the pop-up or website, so when the user triggers particular script PUP automatically gets on the system and starts affecting the performance even more. This intruder is related to many other intrusive hijackers and adware programs like Weknow.ac that is mostly affecting macOS devices, so there is no one device that can be immune to potentially unwanted programs.[1]

Name Webcrawler.com
Type  Browser hijacker
Symptoms  Changes the homepage, new tab, default search engine to Webcrawler.com, modifies web browser settings, redirects all the search attempts and delivers tons of pop-ups with commercial content
Distribution Freeware installations, deceptive pages, other PUPs
Main danger Uses various data tracking techniques and can share the collected information with third-party advertisers for malvertising purposes
Known since 1994
Elimination Clean the machine fully with FortectIntego and remove Webcrawler.com completely

Webcrawler.com by InfoSpace Holdings LLC is an untrustworthy search engine that seeks to hijack Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, IE, Edge, Safari, and other less popular web browsers for the sake of affiliate marketing.[2] With the help of freeware bundling, its developers foist Webcrawler.com virus to unaware users, and they make people visit suspicious third-party websites or see intrusive advertisements.

While it's possible to skip the installation of Webcrawler.com extension unnoticed, it's hardly possible to take no notice of corrupted web browser's start page, search provider, new tab URL, as well as additional browser toolbars. Once this virus hijacks the web browser, all the customized settings are superseded without user's permission asked.

However, seeing https://www.webcrawler.com/serp?q= website as a default search engine or Web Crawler Toolbar injected without user's permission is not only irritating but should also be treated as potentially dangerous. The more programs like this you encounter, the more difficult it becomes to get rid of the PUP.

Webcrawler.com hijackWebcrawler.com is dubbed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP), and browser hijacker as it can compromise not only settings but also do the following:

  • Install tracking cookies and pixels. The small files dropped onto the web browser can monitor user's web browsing activities 24/7 and transmit collected information to third parties. Those who don't mind the leakage of browsing-related information should beware that IP address, email address, approx. Geographical location, most frequently visited websites go for the list of non-personal information, though it might be used for initiating malspam[3] and similar shady activities.
  • Return altered search results. Webcrawler.com malware displays a combination of Google and Yahoo-based search results. However, they should not be trusted equally because this browser hijacker might try to promote suspicious or even unsafe third-party websites. Based on previous practice with browser hijackers proved the fact that continuous web browser's redirects are not only irritating but can also redirect to phishing websites containing JavaScripts in pushing malware onto the system.
  • Generate intrusive browsing-related ads. Those who have already been infected with this unwanted program do not consider whether to remove Webcrawler.com or not. That's because some of the ads it displays are so intrusive that it gets difficult to browse the net. Random pop-ups, full-screen graphics, auto-playing videos or audio, brute-force subscription pop-ups, hyperlinks, etc. – that's how the routine of people with the infected browser will look like. There's only one way to prevent this scenario from materializing – initiating a complete Webcrawler.com removal.

If you don't know how to remove Webcrawler.com and browser hijackers in general, be free to use the instructions provided at the end of this article. The tool that may assist you in this process is FortectIntego. Besides, draw your attention to the fact that for removal to be complete, you will have to eliminate PUPs and the reset the hijacked web browser.Webcrawler.com virus

Potentially unwanted program installation risk

Browser hijacker does not have malicious traits, so don't fall for panic if your web browser's settings were compromised because it's not a virus. Besides, it's your fault. Indeed. Adware-type programs and browser hijackers are not injected into PCs stealthily, though sometimes it looks like that. Usually, they spread as optional downloads and are installed with users' permission.

Of course, the permission won't be required directly. Those who opt for Quick or Basic installation option probably won't see the windows of the installation wizard, which claim that by clicking “Next,” they agree with the installation of toolbars, extensions, add-ons, or other pretend-to-be useful tools.

Experts from NoVirus.uk[4] recommend to select the Advanced or Custom installation option and monitor the installation of free programs. That should be sufficient for keeping the system PUP-free, at least in most of the cases.

Terminate Webcrawler.com and other associated hijackers or PUPs

Although dubbed as a virus, Webcrawler.com URL cannot pose harm to your PC directly. However, the same cannot be said about the content that it may expose you to. This potentially dangerous search site can try to promote fake software updates, expensive products, or flood with scam alerts.

Manual Webcrawler.com removal is possible, so those who have enough time to analyze the system's content can follow the instructions given below. Nevertheless, it's much easier to remove Webcrawler.com with the help of a reputable anti-malware tool. Anyway, don't forget to reset your web browser's settings.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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