How to remove Wave Browser?

Wave Browser – What is it?

“Wave Browser” is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some particular info, for example, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more secure, enable downloading of any type of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “Wave Browser” is quite useless because all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific instances, this hijacker is spread along with free programs.

Wave Browser

How harmful is Wave Browser?

Besides its uselessness, Wave Browser is additionally pretty hazardous for browser usage. It changes your search engine to its particular – Mywavehome.net, and also alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the specified sign).

Aside from visual transformations done by Wave Browser, you might notice that some of your search questions are redirecting to the dubious websites, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you try to launch Google search page by force.

But all these activities are far more annoying than truly destructive. The greatest danger, particularly for individuals who have a huge amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are simply gathered by Wave Browser.

How to remove Wave Browser?

• 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 typically pretty simple to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be found in the list of installed software. As a result of the specific distribution method of Wave Browser, it can be conveniently tracked and removed by hand. Nonetheless, if you got Wave Browser in the package with a free program, your system may be infected with much more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware programs to remove the Wave Browser PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and eliminating a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that may be present on your PC in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all malicious programs on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose 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 each spotted virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Wave Browser 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