According to security researchers, WebAdvancedSearch is an adware program. Adware is something which created in order to provide third-party ads to the user without asking his permission. The WebAdvancedSearch adware takes control of web browsers and redirects them to unwanted web sites every time you browse the World Wide Web. Adware software can end up on your MAC in various ways. In most cases is when you install free applications and forget to uncheck the box for the bundled applications installation.
Unwanted ads
Does adware software steal your personal data? The WebAdvancedSearch adware has the ability to collect lots of user info about you (your ip address, what is a web-site you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the World Wide Web, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.
How does WebAdvancedSearch get on your computer
The majority of adware spreads along with free programs or even paid applications which Internet users can easily download online. The setup files of such apps, most often, clearly show that they will install additional apps. The option is given to users to stop the installation of any third-party apps. So, in order to avoid the installation of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, choose only Custom or Advanced installation method and uncheck all bundled apps in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
| Name | WebAdvancedSearch, Web Advanced Search 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-ups, popup virus, pop-up ads |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | WebAdvancedSearch removal guide |
How to remove WebAdvancedSearch adware
As with removing adware, malware or potentially unwanted software, there are few steps you may do. We advise trying them all. If you do only one part of the tutorial, then it should be use malware removal utility, because it should delete adware and block any further infection. But to completely remove WebAdvancedSearch adware you will have to at least reset your web browser settings such as default search provider, newtab page and homepage to default state, remove all unwanted and suspicious programs, and get rid of adware by malware removal utilities. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your browser or reboot your machine.
To remove WebAdvancedSearch, use the steps below:
- How to manually get rid of WebAdvancedSearch
- Automatic Removal of WebAdvancedSearch
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually get rid of WebAdvancedSearch
The most common adware can be uninstalled manually, without the use of antivirus or other removal utilities. The manual steps below will help you remove WebAdvancedSearch adware step by step. Although each of the steps is simple and does not require special knowledge, but you are not sure that you can finish them, then use the free utilities, a list of which is given below.
Removing the WebAdvancedSearch, check the list of installed software first
First method for manual adware software removal is to go into the Finder, then Applications. Take a look at the list of apps on your machine and see if there are any dubious and unknown apps. If you see any, you need to remove them. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Internet search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware software or malware, you will likely find information that says so.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will display a list of all applications installed on your MAC system. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown programs. Right click to dubious program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Delete WebAdvancedSearch from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings
If your Mozilla Firefox web-browser is hijacked by WebAdvancedSearch or an unknown search provider shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the browser reset. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First, run the Mozilla Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed in the following example.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove WebAdvancedSearch adware from Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings can allow you solve some problems caused by adware and get rid of WebAdvancedSearch ads from internet browser. This will also disable malicious extensions as well as clear cookies and site data. It will keep your personal information such as browsing history, bookmarks, passwords and web form auto-fill data.
- First, run the Google Chrome and press the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Google Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the internet browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove WebAdvancedSearch adware from Safari
If you find that Safari web-browser settings like start page, new tab and search engine by default having been replaced by the WebAdvancedSearch adware, then you may restore your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all unknown plugins from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Automatic Removal of WebAdvancedSearch
Using a malicious software removal tool to detect and get rid of adware hiding on your computer is probably the simplest solution to remove the WebAdvancedSearch adware. We suggests the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware tool for Apple Mac MACs. It is the anti malware program for Mac OS that offers a free malware removal.
Delete WebAdvancedSearch with MalwareBytes
Remove WebAdvancedSearch adware manually is difficult and often the adware is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to use the MalwareBytes which are completely clean your Apple Mac. Moreover, this free program will help you to delete malware, potentially unwanted apps, toolbars and hijacker infection that your computer may be infected too.
Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Free for Mac.
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
When downloading is done, close all software and windows on your machine. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed on the image below.
Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the WebAdvancedSearch adware software. This process can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
After MalwareBytes Anti Malware has finished scanning, the results are displayed in the scan report. In order to remove all threats, simply press “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will remove WebAdvancedSearch adware.
How to stay safe online/h2>
It is also critical to protect your web browsers from harmful web pages and advertisements by using an ad blocking program like AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
Click the link below to download AdGuard.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
When the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted pop ups, block harmful and misleading web sites.
To sum up
Once you have finished the steps outlined above, your machine should be clean from the WebAdvancedSearch adware and other malware. The Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari will no longer display any unwanted ads when you surf the Internet. Unfortunately, if the guide does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. 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 the WebAdvancedSearch adware.
