How to remove Webshields ‘Search Engine’

If you’re reading this article, it means that you are seeing the Webshields unknown site instead of your homepage or when you open a new tab or perform an internet search you are automatically directed to the annoying page. All of these problems with your computer caused by hijacker, which is often installs on the PC with the free programs. You probably want to know how to get rid of this hijacker and remove Webshields homepage as well as to restore your browser’s home page, newtab page and search provider by default. In the instructions below we will tell you about how to solve your problems.

As mentioned above, the Webshields browser hijacker also changes the web-browser’s search engine. So, your internet browser, when searching something, will open a hodgepodge of ads, links to malicious and misleading sites and search results of a big search engines such as Google or Bing. As a result, actual use of a browser’s search becomes impossible. Moreover, it may also lead to slowing or even freeze your browser.

Often, the system, that has been infected with Webshields browser hijacker infection, will be also infected with adware, which will display a huge number of various advertisements. This may be pop-ups, text links in the web pages, banners where they never had. What is more, the adware may replace the legitimate advertising links with malicious ads that will offer to download and install malware and unwanted software or visit the various dangerous and misleading web-sites.

How to Webshields hijacker infection get installed onto computer

Most commonly, the Webshields hijacker is bundled within the installation packages from a free hosting and file sharing web sites. So, install a free programs is a a good chance that you will find some bundled browser hijacker. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the installation, choose the Custom or Advanced installation option. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install an unknown program. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any software or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your system such as this browser hijacker.

How to manually remove Webshields

This guide will help you remove Webshields . These Webshields removal steps work for the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge, as well as every version of Windows operating system. Some of the steps may require you to close the browser or reboot your system. So, bookmark or print it for later reference.

1. Remove Webshields associated software by using Windows Control Panel
2. Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to remove Webshields search
3. Delete Webshields redirect from Firefox
4. Get rid of Webshields homepage in Google Chrome
5. Get rid of Webshields startpage in Microsoft Internet Explorer

Remove Webshields associated software by using Windows Control Panel

We recommend that you begin the personal computer cleaning process by checking the list of installed software and remove all unknown or suspicious applications. This is a very important step, as mentioned above, very often the malicious software such as adware and browser hijackers may be bundled with free applications. Uninstall the unwanted programs can delete the unwanted advertising links or browser redirect.

It will open the Windows Control Panel as shown in the figure below.

Next, click “Uninstall a program” It will show a list of all applications installed on your PC system. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed programs, we recommend sort software by date in the Control panel.

Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to remove Webshields search

Once installed, this browser hijacker may add an argument into the Target property of the desktop shortcut for the Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge. Due to this, every time you launch the browser, it will display an annoying home page.

Right click on the web-browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text like “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe. To save changes, press OK . You need to clean all internet browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Delete Webshields redirect from Firefox

If the Firefox settings such as start page and search provider by default have been changed by the hijacker, then resetting it to the default state can help.

First, start the Firefox and press button to display the Tools menu. It shows the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web-browser. Further, click the Help button (). In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type about:support in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. It will open the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the Webshields hijacker. Once, it is finished, click the “Finish” button.

Get rid of Webshields homepage in Google Chrome

Like other modern browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thus restore the homepage, new tab page and search engine by default that have been changed by the Webshields browser hijacker.

First launch the Chrome. Next click on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will appear the main menu. Click on the option named “Settings”. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the browser adress bar and press Enter. The internet browser will open the settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset settings” section is visible, as shown below and click the “Reset settings” button. The Google Chrome will open the confirmation dialog box. You need to confirm your action. Press the “Reset” button. The browser will start the process of cleaning and when it’s finished, the internet browser’s settings including homepage and search engine by default back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your computer.

Get rid of Webshields startpage in Microsoft Internet Explorer

First, launch the Internet Explorer, click ). Click “Internet Options” as shown below. In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The Internet Explorer will open the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button. You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. It will remove Webshields hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s homepage to default state.

Get rid of Webshields startpage with MalwareBytes Anti-malware.

Remove Webshields manually is difficult and often the browser hijacker infection is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to use the MalwareBytes Anti-malware Free that are completely clean your PC. Moreover, the free application will help you to remove ad supported software and toolbars that your computer may be infected too.

Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM) from the link below.

Once downloaded, close all software and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that named mbam-setup as shown on the image below.

When the installation begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will help you install MalwareBytes Anti-malware on your PC.

Once installation is finished, you will see window as shown in the figure below.

Now press the “Scan Now” button to start scanning your system for the browser hijacker infection that cause a redirect to Webshields. This process can take some time, so please be patient.

When the scan is finished, make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Remove Selected” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-malware will start removing Webshields browser hijacker infection related files, folders, registry keys. Once disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to Restart.

The following video offers a instructions on how to get rid of browser hijacker with Malwarebytes Anti-malware.

How to block Webshields redirect

To increase your security and protect your system against new unwanted advertising and malicious web-pages, you need to use program that blocks access to dangerous advertising banners and web sites. Moreover, the software can block the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Download AdGuard using the following link.
   
   

   Adguard download
   26627 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. After the download is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the installation is complete, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and block pop-up ads, sites such Webshields, as well as other malicious or misleading pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, which is located on your desktop.

If the problem with Webshields is still remained

If MalwareBytes Anti-malware cannot get rid of this infection, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for browser hijackers, adware, PUPs, toolbars. Also you can ask for help our Myantispyware team below.

 

1. Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
   

   AdwCleaner download
   225262 downloads
   Version: 8.4.1
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: October 5, 2024
   
2. Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is started, click “Scan” button to perform a system scan for Webshields browser hijacker.
3. Once the scan is done, the AdwCleaner will display a scan report. Review the report and then click “Cleaning” button. It will show a prompt, click “OK”.

How to ask for help the Myantispyware team

If you are seeking a help for Webshields removal then follow these steps.

1. Download HijackThis from the link below and save it to your Desktop.
   

   HijackThis download
   4692 downloads
   Version: 2.0.5
   Author: OpenSource
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 7, 2015
   
2. Double-click on the HijackThis icon, and click the button labeled “Do a system scan only”.
3. Once the scan is complete, the scan button will read “Save log”, click it. Save this log to your desktop

Create a Myantispyware account here. Once you’ve registered, check your e-mail for a confirmation link, and confirm your account. After that, login.

• Copy and paste the contents of the HijackThis log into your post. If you are posting for the first time, please start a new thread by using the “New Topic” button in the Spyware Removal forum. When posting your HJT log, try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately.
• Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with Webshields removal.