Webwow – a browser hijacker that could pose a threat to privacy instead of providing it
Webwow is a PUP that is advertised to provide more security and privacy to internet users, but instead, such software is capable of collecting both browsing and private data, such as IP addresses, geolocation, search queries, visited sites, and so on. It is considered potentially unwanted or even dangerous because of these activities.
The program is categorized as a browser hijacker due to the fact that it changes various browser settings, such as the start page, new tab preference, the default search engine, etc. All this is done to promote a particular search engine by increasing its popularity and/or show advertisements from affiliated third-parties as the first search results.
Due to the risks of using Webwow virus as the main search engine browser hijacker, the way that it operates, and its spreading methods, this browser extension is deemed as a potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP).
| name | Webwow |
|---|---|
| type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program, deceptive ads |
| Distribution | Software bundles, official browser web stores |
| Symptoms | If Webwow extension is installed on your device, these alterations are made – changed default search provider, changed new tab and home page preferences |
| Risks | Browser hijackers are capable of gathering various browsing and personal data which might be sold to third-parties to present individually tailored ads or worse – to cybercriminals with ill intensions |
| Virus removal | We provide free detailed instructions at the bottom of this article on how to uninstall this browser hijacker from all devices |
| System fix | To restore any changes that the PUP might have done to system files and settings, use system repair tools like the FortectIntego or similar |
Like the Webwow browser intruder, potentially unwanted programs are spread using deceptive techniques. Usually, they end up on everyday computer users' devices without their direct consent or by tricking them into installing them. The most common distribution methods are:
- Deceptive advertisements;
- Software bundles;
- Fake updates;
- Browser official web stores.
As we've mentioned before, browser hijackers have the ability to gather various browsing and private data. This collected information might be shared or sold to third parties to bombard users with personally tailored ads. Some interested parties could have worse ideas on how to use the data, e.g., cyberattacks that could lead to privacy risks, including identity theft.
Browser hijackers could not only change various browser settings but also redirect users to affiliated third-party websites with malicious content, where users might get tricked into installing more PUPs or even some malware. So we recommend users to remove Webwow browser extension for their own safety.
At the bottom of this article, we're giving our readers a free guide on how to uninstall the PUP from their devices. Although to make sure that Webwow removal was successful and that no additional PUPs or malware were installed, we recommend performing a full system scan with dependable anti-malware tools such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.
Afterward, system tune-up should be done for users' peace of mind. Browser hijackers might alter various system settings resulting in unstable performance, crashing, severe lag, and other system irregularities. That's why experts[2] recommend using the FortectIntego tool for system repair.
Stay away from software bundles to avoid PUPs
Potentially unwanted programs, including adware and browser hijackers, can be installed on unaware user devices (computers and cell phones) in various ways, as we've mentioned before. But our research shows that the most prevalent distribution technique is software (or freeware) bundles.[3]
When such bundles are downloaded, users rarely take the time to read the Terms & Conditions or to choose the Advanced/Custom installation mode. And that's where they get tricked. All boxes opting in for the installation of all software within the bundle are pre-selected. So as soon as the user agrees with Quick or Standard installation, every app gets installed.
It's very easy to avoid PUPs. Either avoid software bundles altogether or the next time when installing software from it, choose the Advanced or Custom mode and deselect all the pre-ticked boxes for the applications that you don't want or that you didn't even know would be installed on your device.
Webwow virus removal instructions and tips for system improvements
As we've pointed out in the first chapter of this article, it's unsafe to keep using this search application. So whether you installed it willingly or the browser hijacker got into your device unknowingly, we recommend all users remove Webwow browser extension.
All users can do it effortlessly with our free guide provided at the bottom of this article, as no experience is needed for that. But to make sure that malware or additional PUPs weren't installed, we still recommend performing a full system scan with trustworthy anti-malware software.
Once the users are done with Webwow removal, we suggest taking care of their devices' overall health. The best way to do it is by using a system repair tool that would restore system registry values and fix any other issues that the browser hijacker could have caused.
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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