WebDiscover Adware

What is WebDiscover?

WebDiscover (also known as WebDiscover Browser) is a browser that supposedly allows users to surf the Internet directly from the desktop and enables various features such as VPN, music streaming, media play, weather forecasts, etc. - "The WebDiscover browser seamlessly integrates your favorite Chrome features and settings into one convenient tool to search the web... all from the comfort of your desktop."

Since this app is based on Google Chrome, and has the same User Interface, it may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). WebDiscover often installs on systems without users’ consent (one of the reasons for these negative associations). Furthermore, this app monitors Internet browsing activity, displays ads, and may cause unwanted browser redirects.

Once installed, WebDiscover positions a URL bar on the top of the screen that opens the browser once a website address is entered. If the user attempts to search the Internet, WebDiscover firstly redirects to searchingnews.com or trovi.com websites, and then to the Bing search engine.

In addition, the bar at the top of the screen cannot be closed. WebDiscover may display various intrusive online advertisements including, for example, in-text links, and coupons. These commonly redirect to e-commerce websites such as online stores, however, they may also redirect to bogus websites, thereby causing high-risk computer infections.

Furthermore, this application collects various Internet browsing-related information including websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar details that can contain personally identifiable information. This gathered information is later shared with third parties and could be misused.

Therefore, having an information-tracking app installed on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall WebDiscover from your system.

Threat Summary:

Name	WebDiscover PUP
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Supposed Functionality	Safer web browsing, enhanced web browsing experience, faster website load time
Detection Names	Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.WebDiscover), Dr.Web (Program.Unwanted.3860), QiHoo-360 (HEUR/QVM06.1.3F8B.Malware.Gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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.

There are hundreds of PUPs similar to WebDiscover - all adware-type apps offer features to significantly improve the Internet browsing experience. These claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimate and useful software.

In fact, apps such as SpeedGuard, Best Price Ninja, and Kellystoys are designed to generate revenue for the developers by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information. Adware-type apps provide none of the features promised.

How did WebDiscover install on my computer?

WebDiscover has an official download website, however, it is also 'bundled' as a third party application with regular software. Many users rush the download and installation procedures and skip most steps, not realizing that bogus apps are usually hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By skipping these options, users often inadvertently install bogus apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Pay close attention when downloading and installing software. Follow each step of the software download procedure and ensure that only the chosen app is downloaded. Furthermore, when installing software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled software listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installers used in WebDiscover Browser adware distribution:

WebDiscover adware installer set-up:

Screenshot of WebDiscover desktop URL bar (redirecting to trovi.com):

Screenshot of WebDiscover Chromium based browser:

Updated variant of WebDiscover Chromium browser:

Fake Adobe Photoshop CC cracking tool used to promote WebDiscover Chromium browser:

Update October 20, 2020 - The latest version of WebDiscover adware is promoting Bing search engine by causing a chain redirect through safestsearches.com.

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 WebDiscover?
• STEP 1. Uninstall WebDiscover application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove unwanted add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove malicious extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

WebDiscover 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 "WebDiscover Browser 1.219.2", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove WebDiscover adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WebDiscover 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 webdiscover pup, 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 browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the webdiscover pup, 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", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with webdiscover pup 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 webdiscover pup, 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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