IdleCrawler
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is IdleCrawler?
Idle Crawler claims to be a useful program for marketers, however at time of research we couldn’t find such functionality. When installed this application didn’t create any Start Menu shortcuts or Desktop icons. The developers of this software claim that it utilizes unused computer power and broadband connections to crawl the web.
While this functionality does not appear malicious, PC users should be aware that IdleCrawler is categorized as potentially unwanted program (according to Virustotal.com Idle Crawler is categorized as potentially unwanted program by more than 20 antivirus programs) .
According to the developers website this program is used to track various SERP information, thus the clients of IdleCrawler can get information about their competitors and create successful marketing campaigns. Internet users often install IdleCrawler without their consent when downloading or installing free software.
Developers of this program employ a software marketing method called 'bundling'. IdleCrawler adds no real value for computer users who accidentally install it when downloading free software. Note that this program is not a virus or malware, it's a research tool useful for Internet marketing specialists.
IdleCrawler is similar to other potentially unwanted programs, which install on users' computers using free software downloads. Examples include Consumer Input, MediaAds, and CrowdCores. To avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications, computer users should be attentive when downloading and installing free software.
Today, most freeware download websites (including download.com, softonic.com, and many others) use 'download clients' - small programs, which manage the download process of the chosen free program and monetize the website's free services by offering installation of advertised browser plug-ins.
To avoid adware infections, decline installation of advertised browser extensions. When installing downloaded free programs, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal installation of bundled adware. Computer users who have mistakenly installed IdleCrawler should use this removal guide to eliminate it from their operating systems.
Free software installers used in IdleCrawler (some download clients disclose it as "Hyper Brows") distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is IdleCrawler?
- STEP 1. Uninstall IdleCrawler application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove potentially unwanted plugins add-on from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove unwanted extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove potentially unwanted add-ons from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
IdleCrawler 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 "Idle Crawler", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling IdleCrawler, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Idle Crawler did not install any browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari however, installation of free software can cause various adware infections. 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 recently-installed potentially unwanted plug-ins, select them and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hyper brows, 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 on "Extensions". Locate recently-installed potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hyper brows, 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 plugins 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 recently-installed potentially unwanted browser add-ons.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with hyper brows 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 hyper brows, 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.
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