Wave-abstract.com Redirect

What is wave-abstract.com?

According to the developers, Wave Abstract is a legitimate application that supposedly allows users to change the design of their homepages. Judging on appearance alone, Wave Abstract may seem legitimate, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.

The main reasons for these negative associations are installation without users' consent, stealth modification of web browser options, and information tracking.

Research shows that Wave Abstract targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, Wave Abstract assigns the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage browser options to wave-abstract.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.

Wave Abstract reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, it becomes impossible to return browsers to their previous states and users continually encounter unwanted redirects to wave-abstract.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.

These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. As mentioned above, Wave Abstract (and wave-abstract.com) record various sensitive data that typically contains personal details. PUP developers sell the data to third parties who generate revenue by misusing users' personal details.

Thus, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, uninstall the Wave Abstract browser hijacker and never return to wave-abstract.com.

Threat Summary:

Name	Wave Abstract 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Wave Abstract is identical to Perlin Tab, Equal Tab, Solo-Bar, and many others. In fact, all browser-hijacking applications are virtually identical. By offering 'useful' features, PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. 

Claims to enable any useful functionality are false. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. Furthermore, fake search engines generate intrusive ads and/or misleading search results.

These ads and results typically redirect to malicious websites. In some cases, the ads execute scripts designed to download/install malware. Therefore, using fake search engines risks various computer infections.

How did wave-abstract.com install on my computer?

This browser hijacker has an official download website, however, as mentioned above, Wave Abstract typically infiltrates systems without permission. Developers proliferate browser hijackers using the aforementioned intrusive ads and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush the download/installation processes.

Therefore, "bundled" apps are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of the download/installation processes. By skipping download/installation steps and clicking various ads, users expose their systems to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUPs follow these guidelines. Firstly, be aware that the main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

Intrusive ads often look legitimate, however, they are distinguishable, since most lead to survey, gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites. These programs are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you experience such redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

Furthermore, select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since criminals employ them to proliferate rogue software (the "bundling" method). The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting Wave Abstract browser hijacker:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Wave Abstract 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.

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Quick menu:

• What is wave-abstract.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Wave Abstract application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove wave-abstract.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Wave Abstract browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove wave-abstract.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove wave-abstract.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Wave Abstract 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, "Wave Abstract"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the wave-abstract.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Wave Abstract 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://wave-abstract.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 "wave-abstract".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the wave abstract 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 "Wave Abstract - 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.wave-abstract.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 "wave-abstract", 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 wave abstract 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 "Wave Abstract", 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://wave-abstract.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: "wave-abstract.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with wave abstract 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 wave abstract 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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