Web-explore.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is web-explore.com?
The internet is full of fake search engines, including web-explore.com. This may seem to be a legitimate search engine (similar to Google, Bing, Yahoo etc), however, developers promote it using rogue download/installation set-ups (browser-hijacking set-ups).
Most fake search engines adjust browser settings. Furthermore, web-explore.com is categorized as a data tracking search engine that collects browsing-related information.
Rogue download/installation set-ups usually target popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. Typically, they adjust browser settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. In this case, all of the aforementioned settings are assigned to web-explore.com and cannot be undone/changed.
In summary, once a browser is infiltrated, users are forced to visit web-explore when a new tab/browser window is opened. Rogue set-ups usually install "helper objects" - these applications prevent users from reverting the changes. They reassign browser settings when attempts are made change them.
These modifications may seem insignificant, however, they can be annoying and diminish the browsing experience. Furthermore, helper objects and web-explore.com record browsing-related data (IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, URLs of visited websites, etc).
In many cases, these applications (and search engines) collect the aforementioned data in addition to personal details. The information is usually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
Therefore, using web-explore or having data-tracking apps installed might cause privacy issues and more serious problems such as identity theft. We advise against the use of this fake search engine. Uninstall any unwanted/unknown apps from browsers and operating systems.
| Name | web-explore.com 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. |
There are many fake search engines available that are very similar to web-explore.com. For example, navig-gg.com, maxsearch.live, and search-story.com. Developers promote them as 'useful search engines' that offer an enhanced browsing experience, improved search results, and so on, however, they are designed only to generate.
They deliver none of the functionality promised or any other real value. Due to risk of various privacy/browsing safety issues, or more serious problems, you should not used them.
How did web-explore.com install on my computer?
Since web-explore.com is promoted using rogue set-ups, users are often tricked into allowing changes to be made to browser settings. Developers achieve this via "bundling", a method used to trick people into unwanted installations by hiding information in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the download/installation procedures.
Typically, these permissions are granted when users do not check settings or skip download/installation steps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software using official sources and direct links only. Avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, and other similar channels. Handle software installations with care: study each step and check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options. Decline offers to install additional software before completing the installation.
Avoid clicking intrusive ads, even if they seem legitimate. Cyber criminals invest time and money into ad design, and thus it is difficult to determine which ads are legitimate or otherwise. The ads can be identified when they cause redirects to gambling, pornography, adult dating and other similar, untrustworthy websites.
If you encounter these ads and redirects, check your browser for suspicious entries (extensions, plug-ins, pop-ups) and programs on your computer. Uninstall them immediately. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
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Quick menu:
- What is web-explore.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove web-explore.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove web-explore.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove web-explore.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove web-explore.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
web-explore.com redirect 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 applications that cause browser redirects to the web-explore.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
web-explore.com redirect 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://web-explore.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 "web-explore.com".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web-explore.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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
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.web-explore.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on 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 "web-explore.com", 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 web-explore.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 on "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://web-explore.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: "web-explore.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with web-explore.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 web-explore.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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