Wyciwyg redirect virus bothers Mozilla Firefox users

Wyciwyg redirect virus is a version of Firefox redirect virus. The main sign of the virus is added “wyciwyg” in front of the URL address. It might go along with “http” protocol or replace it. Sometimes due to the changed address, users sometimes cannot access particular websites or have to deal with other browsing-related problems.
Wyciwyg is an abbreviation for What You Cache Is What You Get.[1] Firefox uses this protocol when the browser retrieves cached website information. However, users are not supposed to see it. Thus, if you have noticed this link, the problem might be related to cache. Thus, users should clean the cache and find out if it was the case.
However, seeing wyciwyg:// redirect might also be related to AdBlock extension bug. In this case, the problem is easily fixed by disabling and enabling the extension or updating it. However, if these simple tips do not work, the problem might be bigger.
Seeing link:wyciwyg in the address bar might also report about malware attack. Some users report that they also noticed new browser’s tabs opening automatically. It seems that Firefox forces them to visit various promotional websites, for instance, gaming or gambling sites.
Although Wyciwyg is a component related to Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer users also report seeing this link in the address bar. This situation is a clear symptom of the virus attack. Thus, Wyciwyg redirect removal must be completed immediately.
Users can also suspect that they got infected with Wyciwyg redirect malware if they update AdBlock, clear cookies, cache and uninstalled and reinstalled Mozilla Firefox, and these activities do not stop. If you found yourself in such situation, you should not hesitate and get rid of the problem.
If you suspect that these browser-related issues are related to the virus infection, you should scan your device with FortectIntego or another anti-malware tool and remove Wyciwyg redirect virus automatically.

Browser-related problems might begin after incorrect installation of freeware
If Wyciwyg redirect problems are not related to cache or AdBlock, it’s undoubtedly a virus attack. Usually, these cyber infections are related to adware, browser hijackers or other potentially unwanted programs that spread in software packages. Therefore, if you have agreed to use Quick/Advanced settings to install downloaded a free program, some potentially unwanted application may have sneaked in as well.
To avoid Firefox redirect problems and issues with other web browsers, you should always go for the Advanced/Custom installation method that allows adjusting installation agreements.[2] Thus, this setup allows seeing the list of optional downloads and allows rejecting installation of undesired apps.
Fixing Wyciwyg redirect problems
In the beginning, we have mentioned that Wyciwyg redirect issues might be fixed by cleaning cache or/and updating AdBlock. Therefore, first of all, you have to follow simplest methods and hope that they will work.
Update AdBlock
The issue mostly appears in Firefox web browser. Therefore, we have explained how to update the extension for this browser. If the same problem occurred on another web browser, you could find instructions for them here.
- Type about:addons in the URL bar.
- Click the gear icon at the top of the page and open the add-on tools menu.
- Check that Update Add-ons Automatically is selected.
- Choose Check for Updates option.
Clear cache
Deleting cache from Firefox might also help to remove Wyciwyg redirect problems. Thus, follow these steps:
- Click the menu button and go to Preferences.
- Go to Advanced.
- Open the Network tab.
- Under Cached Web content section, you should see “Clear Now” button. Click it.
- Close the about:preferences page.
Wyciwyg redirect removal
If you are dealing with a Wyciwyg redirect virus, you should scan your device with anti-malware software and let it identify the malicious program that causes these problems. However, if you do not want to use additional software, you can try to locate these entries manually by following the instructions below.
However, researchers from Norway[3] claim that the best way to get rid of unknown cyber infections is to employ professional software. Therefore, if you see unknown activities in your web browser, you should let reputable tools to take care of your device.
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.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment