WebDiscover Browser / Virus Removal Guide - 2021 update

WebDiscover Browser Removal Guide

What is WebDiscover Browser?

WebDiscover is a browser based on Chromium functions but called a PUP due to intrusive activities

Fake browserThe fake browser collects information about its users, including your online browsing habits

WebDiscover is a Chromium virus that is promoted as a replacement for a famous Chrome browser. However, detailed research revealed that, next to its promises to provide VPN connection, weather forecasts, and similar help, it also has such capability as affecting the performance of users' browsing, tracking their time online and so on. Due to stealthy distribution methods and removal problems, it has been classified as a browser hijacker.

This application is designed to use Bing as a default search provider, which has been actively misused by scammers. Unfortunately, no matter that Bing is a legitimate search engine, the virus fills its search results with sponsored links to redirect its victims to websites which are paying for such traffic.

Name WebDiscover Browser
Classified as Potentially unwanted program (PUP)
Symptoms
  • Clicking on any link by default opens the WebDiscover browser
  • The PUP displays an excessive amount of ads on most of the websites
  • The most of search results are sponsored
  • You cannot get rid of the intruder completely as it keeps resetting itself as a default browser
The main danger The browser can be used to promote suspicious third parties and redirect its victims to potentially dangerous websites
Distribution Bundling, misleading download websites, owner's site
The easiest way to get rid of unwanted software is to run a scan with an anti-malware tool. This way, the system will be successfully cleaned from malware. Do NOT install uninstall helper utility offered by the developer!

The PUP is not a severe cyber infection. Some people may even find it useful and can use it as much as they like. However, we feel a responsibility to warn people that it can be used for the implementation of shady marketing campaigns. It means that it may be filled with commercial content.

Additionally, to leave the system, the app is offering downloading the uninstall helper utility (WebDiscoverHelper_net40.exe or WebDiscoverHelper_net35.exe). If you don't want to end up with more unwanted activities on the system, follow the guide given at the end of this post instead of downloading related components.

The main functionality of the intruder

The developers of this PUP have been trying to introduce this program as an alternative web browser which supposedly improves users’ browsing experience by providing useful features. These alleged features include quick links to social media and news sites as well as an integrated search bar which gets pinned to the top of the desktop for convenient access.

In reality, this toolbar can become annoying right after it starts staying on top of every application and prevents you from using them properly. Unfortunately, that’s not the only undesirable feature that this alternative web browser trigger when installed on the PC. The main problems are associated with the constant redirects and never-ending pop-up ads that are caused by the browser while you surf the net. To eliminate them, you need to remove the browser itself.

Usually, these ads are intended to grasp the internet user’s attention. Some specific keywords may be hyperlinked; you may also be offered coupons for your visited sites, etc. These ads can get really intrusive and, perhaps, this is the reason why so many users begin looking for the proper virus removal tips just after a couple of days after its installation.

According to people's reports, it starts displaying intrusive advertisements once installed. It is capable of generating all kinds of ads, including pop-ups, full-page, and in-text. All of them are, indeed, intrusive and should not be ignored. Therefore, if you keep seeing “Ads by WebDiscover,” “Powered by WebDiscover” or similar pop-ups as well as experiencing redirects to Safestsearches.com, take corresponding actions to delete the virus[1] from the system.

Default search providerThe PUP automatically assigns itself as a default search provider. It adds a search bar on top of the desktop and inserts shortcuts into the lower toolbar

Why does this browser look so legit and useful

Looking at the design, the Web Discover browser appears to be almost identical to Google Chrome. This is not a coincidence since this browser is based on the open-source Google Chromium custom builder.[2] Nevertheless, there are a few things that differ.

First of all, when trying to use your browser, it causes redirects to shady search engines, including safestsearches.com. This way, you will inevitably notice the already mentioned search bar attached to the top section of your desktop. If you tried searching anything through it, you will eventually land on the Bing search engine. You should be very careful with this redirect tendency[3].

In addition to that, you may also notice ads constantly popping up here and there, and sometimes even covering the original website’s content. These ads are not only annoying but can also slow down the loading speed and performance of your favorite sites. As a result, the program can also cause some further contamination of your computer since they usually promote some untrusted third-party web pages, software, toolbars, and other products.

Related malwareThe proper virus removal requires eliminating entries related to the PUP

With the help of such aggressive advertising, only generates revenue[4] for its developers instead of offering any legitimately useful information. Malware creators often go as far as collecting data about users and their browsing habits. There is a high chance that this application has some tracking technology[5] integrated as well.

Like various other websites and PUAs, WebDiscover collects and tracks information about your online habits, preferences, searches.[6] This information is stated in the Privacy Policy section of the official website:

To make the Site and the Browser more useful to you, our servers (which may be hosted by a third-party service provider) may collect Anonymous Data from you such as web browser type, operating system type and version, domain name, Browser version, Browser usage and statistics, and/or a date/time stamp of your visit. We may use cookies and navigational data like Uniform Resource Locators (URL) and referring URLs to gather information regarding the date and time of your visit. We may use Anonymous Data and Application Data for market research purposes and to improve our products and services, the Site and the Browser.

The second version of this infamous Web engine is based on Chromium builder, and, unfortunately, also gets installed on the computers against their owners’ will. The ad-based browser runs on the computer as a Media application and modifies the computer's settings to launch it as a default browser.

A problematic thing about this browser is that antivirus utilities find it difficult to detect and eliminate, so the malware may continue making your Internet browsing experience miserable by overflowing your visited websites with numerous ads and sponsored links.

If you notice ads and banners on your visited pages or some random text on the web pages get turned into hyperlinks, and if you keep receiving recommendations to update or download some suspicious software, it may indicate that you have been infected with some virus.

So, if you want to browse safely and uninterrupted, we recommend you remove WebDiscover from your computer. To do that, you can simply scan your system with some reputable anti-malware system, like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and the professional antivirus tool will take care of the problem for you.

WebDiscover virusThe browser hijacker has been spreading around as a reliable way to search the web. In reality, you should remove this PUP from the system

You can install the browser hijacker unknowingly, along with freeware

The hijack is initiated by employing various methods. The most frequent one, however, is called “bundling.” In such a scenario, the user must download free software which is bundled with some potentially unwanted programs, such as add-ons, toolbars, extensions, and similar.

These PUPs are hidden in “Advanced” and “Custom” options frequently omitted by users who skip most of the steps in the installation process. This, however, should not be done. It will save you a lot of time and nerves as detecting and deselecting programs hidden here guarantee the installation of the sole program you intended to download.

Another important thing to remember is that you should avoid using all sorts of download managers and installers which are infamous for distributing bundled software for users who want to install some PDF converters or other free software. Therefore, if possible, you should always download programs from official websites.

Main ways to remove unwanted intruders from the system

Web Discover browser won't uninstall simply by removing it from the Add/remove programs list. As we have already mentioned in the previous sections of the article, the adware should be deleted by using some reputable and trustworthy anti-spyware which becomes very handy for the inspection of your system and checking if it has been infected.

However, since the virus is good at obfuscating itself, it might be necessary to remove it manually. In such a case, you should be ready to use some of your time and apply technical skills.

If you do not feel overwhelmed by a longer and more complex procedure and instead of leaving the adware removal for the automatic antivirus utilities would like to delete it yourself, you can check out the detailed removal instructions presented below.

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.

Offer
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of WebDiscover Browser. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

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 on Uninstall at the bottom. 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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

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

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

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. 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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 WebDiscover 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 adware

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.

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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References
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