WebShield Adware

What is WebShield?

According to the developers, the WebShield browser offers a privacy-enhanced browsing experience. This browser is based on Chromium project, a legitimate open-source project, however, in many cases, this project is misused as a platform for potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) including adware browsers such as WebShield.

WebShield is categorized as a potentially unwanted application, since most users install it inadvertently without direct permission. Furthermore, when installed, it deploys intrusive advertisements (in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, and so on). These lead to untrustworthy websites or execute scripts that download other PUAs.

They are also annoying and often displayed through tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Another downside of these PUAs is information tracking. They gather user-system data such as keystrokes, search queries, visited websites, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, and so on.

The data might contain personal and sensitive details that PUA developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue. These actions can lead to problems relating to privacy and browsing safety. Even worse, some users might have their identities stolen. Uninstall these PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WebShield
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
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.

In summary, most adware-type apps are similar or even identical. Developers promote them as 'useful' but they deliver none of the functionality promised. Typically, PUAs are designed only to generate revenue by delivering ads, causing unwanted redirects, and gathering data.

How did WebShield install on my computer?

WebShield browser can be downloaded from its official website, however, most users install it unintentionally. This happens when software developers use "bundling", a deceptive marketing method used to trick users into installing PUAs with regular software. PUAs are often hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" or other similar settings of the installation dialogs.

Information regarding the presence of PUAs is often not properly disclosed. In most cases, these apps are installed when users skip installation steps without checking the settings or when additional software options go unnoticed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

When choosing a source for downloading software, use trustworthy and official sources only. Avoid using third party installers/downloaders, torrents, and other similar channels. It is also important to check the "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings for potentially unwanted applications.

Find and deselect all additional offers (bundled apps) and only then finish the installation process. Remember that not all ads are legitimate. Many (especially intrusive ads) redirect users to untrustworthy/potentially malicious websites such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on.

If you encounter ads or websites that cause these redirects, check your browser for unwanted/unknown applications (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) and remove them immediately. Also check the list of installed programs and uninstall unwanted or unknown programs.

If your computer is already infected with WebShield, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of a website promoting WebShield adware:

Screenshot of official WebShield installer:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.

Quick menu:

• What is WebShield?
• STEP 1. Uninstall WebShield application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove WebShield adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove WebShield ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by WebShield' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove WebShield extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

WebShield adware 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 "WebShield", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes WebShield ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove WebShield adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WebShield did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

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 browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by webshield, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by webshield, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by webshield 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by webshield, 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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