Webcrawler.com Redirect

What is webcrawler.com?

webcrawler.com is a high-quality Internet search engine very similar to sites such as Yahoo, Bing, Google, etc. The website itself is legitimate, however, it is used by browser-hijacking websites/applications that modify browser options and cause unwanted redirects.

Research shows that developers promote fake search engines to generate revenue. They employ various scripts and apps to modify browser options (typically, the homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine) by assigning them to a specific URL (a fake web search engine).

These sites claim to significantly enhance the browsing experience, but in fact deliver no real value for regular users. Rather than generating improved results, sites such as chumsearch.com simply redirect users to webcrawler.com together with a pre-entered search query.

These sites are promoted together with a number of third party applications/browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects"). These apps/add-ons are used to prevent users from reverting the aforementioned changes - they reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit various sites (that redirect to webcrawler.com) when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. Another important issue is data tracking.

Browser-hijacking sites/applications are typically designed to record user-system information (IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, geo-locations, etc.) that includes personal information. Developers later share this information with third parties who generate revenue by misusing private details.

Therefore, data tracking might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to suspicious websites (that lead to webcrawler.com), immediately check the list of installed applications/browser plug-ins and eliminate any suspicious entries.

Remember that webcrawler.com is legitimate, but visiting this site through other rogue sites is not recommended - if you want to use webcrawler.com as your web search engine, assign this URL directly, rather than using another website as a "gate".

The Internet is full of fake search engines and browser-hijacking applications. These sites/apps often claim to provide "useful features", but these false promises are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Fake search engines and browser hijackers are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, these apps/sites cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information, thereby posing a threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did webcrawler.com install on my computer?

Some fake search engines are promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers set-ups that modify browser options while downloading/installing software. In addition, some are promoted via browser-hijacking applications that infiltrate systems without consent.

These apps are proliferated using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Intrusive ads redirect to malicious sites and execute scripts that stealthily download/install potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or even malware. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party apps with regular software.

Many developers are not honest enough to disclose PUP installations properly. They hide them within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users are likely to skip download/installation steps and click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive ads often seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to dubious websites (such as adult dating, gambling, survey, and similar).

They are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. Therefore, if you experience suspicious redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.

Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Never use third party download/installation tools, since developers monetize them by promoting PUPs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

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Quick menu:

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

webcrawler.com 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

webcrawler.com 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://webcrawler.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 "webcrawler".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the webcrawler.com 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently installed suspicious 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, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://webcrawler.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

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" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "webcrawler.com" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the webcrawler.com 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 all 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://webcrawler.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: "webcrawler.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with webcrawler.com 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 webcrawler.com 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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