Removal instructions for the News-Wave browser hijacker

What kind of software is News-Wave?

News-Wave is a browser hijacker that our research team discovered while inspecting questionable websites. It operates by making changes to the browser settings in order to endorse (through redirects) the news-wave.net fake search engine. The News-Wave extension might also spy on users' browsing activity.

News-Wave browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software makes modifications to browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tabs/windows. Hence, with this software installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the promoted webpage. In case of News-Wave, the redirects land on news-wave.net.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as blocking access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate their removal.

Fake search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they lead to legitimate Internet search websites. This also applies to news-wave.net; it redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is worth mentioning that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of News-Wave. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This vulnerable information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like News-Wave on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	News-Wave
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	News-Wave
Promoted URL	news-wave.net
Detection Names (news-wave.net)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (news-wave.net)	104.21.8.32
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

Browser hijacker examples

I LOVE ME, Scenic Tab, Findmovie, MyWorldClock, and Thai Wallpaper are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

Software within this classification typically appears legitimate and innocuous. It can also offer a broad range of "useful" functionalities. However, these features are rarely operational. Keep in mind that even if a browser extension or an app works as indicated by its promotional material – that does not guarantee legitimacy or safety.

How did News-Wave install on my computer?

News-Wave has an "official" promotional webpage. Browser hijackers are also endorsed on deceptive/scam websites. Users primarily enter these pages through redirects caused by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Additionally, this software can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installations (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look legitimate and innocuous – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

If you keep encountering advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with News-Wave, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of news-wave.net redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by News-Wave browser hijacker:

Website promoting News-Wave browser hijacker:

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 News-Wave?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove News-Wave browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove news-wave.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove news-wave.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

News-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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

News-Wave browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove News-Wave browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "News-Wave" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "News-Wave", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.news-wave.net) 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 "news-wave.net", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the news-wave.net redirect, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "News-Wave", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "News-Wave", remove hxxp://news-wave.net 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with news-wave.net redirect 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 news-wave.net redirect, 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.

Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit news-wave.net website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to webpages like news-wave.net.

Is visiting news-wave.net a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like news-wave.net tend to collect information about their visitors. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove News-Wave browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, access to removal-related settings might be restricted with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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