How to remove Pureweb browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

Pureweb – What is it?

“Pureweb” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some certain details, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more safe, enable downloading of any video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “Pureweb” plugin is rather ineffective since all such functions are already built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even qualified users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific scenarios, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.

Pureweb Search Hijacker

How harmful is Pureweb hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Pureweb hijacker is likewise really unsafe for browser usage. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Setupprogressivegreatlythefile.vip, and likewise modifies your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned symptom).

In addition to visual transformations done by Pureweb hijacker, you may observe that many of your search queries are redirecting to the dubious websites, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting boosts if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are far more irritating than truly destructive. The major threat, particularly for individuals who have a great deal of confidential information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as various other activities are easily gathered by Pureweb hijacker.

How to remove Pureweb search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are usually very simple to deal with. Most of the times, they have an independent application that can be found in the list of installed software. Because of the particular marketing manner of Pureweb hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got Pureweb in the package with a free applications, your PC can be infected with a lot more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware tools to delete the Pureweb PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and eliminating various malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that may be present on your computer in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such situations, it is far better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted applications on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Pureweb hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender