WSearch - updated Jan 2021
WSearch Removal Guide
What is WSearch?
Wsearch – a fake search tool that constantly inserts ads into your searches
WSearch is a potentially unwanted application that belongs to the category of ‘browser hijackers.’ Such programs are capable of modifying the part of the system’s settings and then interrupting PC users with their misleading pop-up ads, redirects, slowdowns, and similar unwanted activities.
Beware that these activities may interrupt you whenever you start your browsing sessions on the following browsers:
- Google Chrome;
- Mozilla Firefox;
- Internet Explorer;
- MS Edge.
One of the main WSearch hijack signs is that the homepage and new tab address is set to wisersearch.com. Each time users attempt to search via the appended search tool; they will quickly notice that the results are filled with sponsored links and ads. This disruptive activity is also accompanied by user tracking for marketing purposes, so privacy risks might occur.
Name | WSearch |
---|---|
Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
Related process | wsearch.exe runs in the background |
Distribution | Software bundles, fake updates, third-party websites |
Associated URLs | wisersearch.com |
Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks, financial losses |
Removal | To delete potentially unwanted programs, you can follow the manual guide below or use security software to perform the elimination procedure automatically |
Optional steps | Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings. To revert these changes and remediate the OS, perform a full system scan with FortectIntego repair software |
Such sites may lead you to the infiltration of other potentially unwanted applications, such as adware and browser hijackers. Also, not everyone knows that browser hijackers may start tracking PC users and may collect information, which is related to their browsing habits.
In most cases, they collect people's search terms, mostly visited websites, data that they enter when visiting them, etc. Please, do not ignore such facts!
No matter that such information is considered to be personally non-identifiable, its loss may lead you to an increased amount of spam and similar issues.
To sum up, you should avoid all programs that belong to ‘adware,’ 'browser hijacker,' and similar categories. They may try to infiltrate computers in a bundle with freeware and shareware, so you may discover them on your computer even if you don't think about their installation.
After infiltrating their target PC system, these programs may start causing continuous pop-up advertisements that may be filled with commercial links and similar content. However, they may also start initiating redirections on each of your web browsers and track you for getting more data about your browsing habits.
If you noticed its annoying pop-up ads when browsing on the web, you should scan your PC with updated anti-spyware and remove WSearch. For that, we recommend using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or other security software. After that, a scan with FortectIntego would ensure your system runs smoothly and does not crash, lag, or delivers errors.
Avoid browser hijackers, adware, scareware, and other PUPs
WSearch is distributed using quite unfair distribution techniques. In most cases, you can unnoticeably download it in a bundle with free software and shareware. This is done for the only reason – monetization.
If you want to prevent infiltration of WSearch or other freeware, you must carefully monitor the installation process of the software you need to download and also read every sentence, which is displayed on installation windows. Also, eliminate all unknown entries and conditions that may show up. If
This program gets inside the system; it leaves its own BHO that affects Internet Explorer’s work. It starts showing its commercial pop-up ads every time you reboot your computer. If you see pop-up ads that belong to WSearch, you should check your PC for this application. Security experts recommend eliminating WSearch from the system without any delay.
WSearch removal should not be a difficult task with this guide
While browser hijackers are generally not considered to be malicious, unexpected web browser changes should never be ignored. As already explained, such apps might prevent you from finding relevant information easily, fill your searches with ads, and cause privacy issues due to information tracking practices. Thus, you should remove WSearch virus from your system immediately, and you have two options for that:
- manual
- automatic.
Manual WSearch removal should not be complicated as long as you follow the steps we provide below. Don't forget to access your web browser settings, uninstall suspicious extensions, and then clean web data and cookies. Alternatively, PUps can also be removed with anti-malware programs, so you can try that instead if you do not want to proceed with the manual option.
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 WSearch. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
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 WSearch 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 browser hijacker
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.