Search.triplespiralwave.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.triplespiralwave.com?
3Spiral Wave presents itself as a legitimate and useful application that supposedly enhances users' Internet browsing experience by providing a unique homepage together with a number of 'useful features' (shortcuts to popular sites, weather forecasts, etc.).
These claims often trick users into believing that 3Spiral Wave is legitimate, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) information tracking, and; 3) modification of web browser settings.
3Spiral Wave targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, 3Spiral Wave assigns the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage browser options to a fake Internet search engine - search.triplespiralwave.com. These changes may seem insignificant, and yet, users are unable to revert them.
3Spiral Wave continues to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.triplespiralwave.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. These redirects significantly diminish users' Internet browsing experience.
In addition, as with most browser hijackers, 3Spiral Wave continually records various information that might include personal details. Be aware that developers share IP addresses, website URLs visited, search queries, and other collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
These people generate revenue by misusing users' personal details. Thus, the presence of a data-tracking app can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.triplespiralwave.com, immediately eliminate the 3Spiral Wave application and never return to this website.
Name | 3Spiral Wave browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Research reveals dozens of browser-hijacking applications similar to 3Spiral Wave. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) Photorito, Your Transit Info Now, Addicted To Movies, and MojoTab. These applications are developed by different parties and offer varying functionality, however, they have identical behavior.
Browser hijackers such as 3Spiral Wave are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Only a small percentage of PUPs provide the features promised - most deliver no real value for regular users. They pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
Furthermore, fake Internet search engines often feed users with various intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, etc.) and/or false search results.
These delivered ads/results typically lead to malicious websites. Furthermore, the ads might execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using fake Internet search engines might cause high-risk computer infections.
How did search.triplespiralwave.com install on my computer?
3Spiral Wave has an official download website, however, these programs are also proliferated using intrusive ads, and a deceptive marketing method "called" bundling (stealth installation of dubious programs together with regular software/apps). Therefore, 3Spiral Wave is likely to infiltrate systems without permission.
Developers hide "bundled" applications within various sections (most likely the "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes. Rushing these processes, skipping steps, and clicking various advertisements often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs such as 3Spiral Wave.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Be aware that that intrusive ads typically look legitimate, since criminals invest many resources into their design, however, these ads cause redirects to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and other dubious websites.
In most cases, intrusive ads are delivered by adware-type apps. If you encounter them, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Furthermore, carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. We strongly advise you to avoid using any third party downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize these tools using the "bundling" method (tools proliferate rogue programs).
Website promoting 3Spiral Wave browser hijacker:
IMPORTANT NOTE! 3Spiral Wave installs its Google Chrome extension as Administrator (read more here), thereby preventing removal. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Open the Command Prompt by clicking the start menu button and typing "command prompt". Right click the "Command Prompt" result and select "Run as Administrator":
2) Execute the following commands:
- rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
- rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
- gpupdate /force
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.triplespiralwave.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall 3Spiral Wave application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.triplespiralwave.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove 3Spiral Wave browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.triplespiralwave.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.triplespiralwave.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
3Spiral Wave browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "3Spiral Wave"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.triplespiralwave.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
3Spiral Wave browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.triplespiralwave.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "triplespiralwave".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 3spiral wave browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "3Spiral Wave - New Tab" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.triplespiralwave.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "3Spiral Wave Tab", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 3spiral wave browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "3Spiral Wave", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.triplespiralwave.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "search.triplespiralwave.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with 3spiral wave browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 3spiral wave browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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