This removal guide provides detailed instructions how to get rid of Mywebsearch.com redirect. You will find help how to remove Mywebsearch.com from all affected browsers and the PC.
Mywebsearch.com redirect invades commonly used browsers so it can appear while you are browsing online. It may set its domain as a homepage, new tab page and its search engine as a default one. All operations run through Mywebsearch.com services expose you and your system to further security-related issues. The company that owns this dubious search engine is famous for the creation of numerous browser hijackers. Mindspark distributes its services via shady methods so it can collect personal and non-personal information from online users and make money in exchange for its disclosure.
Threat Summary
Name | Mywebsearch.com |
Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
Short Description | All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker will redirect you and filter your search queries. |
Symptoms | Mywebsearch.com redirect alters the homepage, search engine, and new tab settings. A browser extension and a toolbar can be added, as well. You can see targeted advertisement content. |
Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Mywebsearch.com. |
Mywebsearch.com – Ways of Delivery
One of the main ways for Mywebsearch.com redirect distribution is via compromised setups of free apps. The freeware offered in various torrent pages, stores and web pages often come with bundled setups that enable the installation of potentially unwanted programs by default. Thus if you pass through the installation process without paying attention to its additional components you grant access to such PUPs to your system. Then the suspicious Mywebsearch.com website starts to appear each time you launch a new browser session. That’s why Mywebsearch.com can be classified as a typical browser hijacker that sneaks into the system so it can force you to use its services.
It is likely that Mywebsearch.com can affect commonly used browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and other.
Mywebsearch.com – In Detail
Once Mywebsearch.com redirect grants its access to the system it can initiate a sequence of modifications that affect essential browser settings and Windows registry keys. As a result, you start noticing its suspicious domain during online browsing sessions. It usually sets the homepage and the new tab page to display its website that is showed below:
In addition, it replaces the default search engine with its own one forcing you to use its services so it can record certain data about you and your online habits. Even though its search engine is “enhanced by Google” as stated next to the search field, the Mindspark company is likely to modify the service so its owners can generate money revenue from their product. Thus the presented results may be flooded with a lot of hardly unnoticeable advertisements of third-party providers or company partners.
The plain design of Mywebsearch.com redirect may mislead you that its services are useful and secure but then you may notice frequent slowdowns and a lot of annoying advertisements of all kinds. Actually, the presence of Mywebsearch.com in your browser can diminish significantly your browsing experience.
Furthermore, the hijacker may install and enable a browser add-on so it can ensure a persistent presence on your system.
Mywebsearch.com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of Mywebsearch.com can be accessed by the bottom navigation bar on its homepage. It reveals that the company owner and most probable developer of Mywebsearch.com redirect is Mindspark. Actually the same company is known for the ownership of plenty other browser hijackers like SmartEasyMaps, GifaPalooza, VideoConvert and many others.
According to this Policy, the company obtains this information from you:
- Your name
- Your address
- Email address
- Number of your page views
- What links you clicked
- Telephone number
- Your login times
The following quote from the Privacy Policy reveals that the Mindspark company allows third-parties to collect information and use it for behavioral advertising:
We may allow third-parties, including our authorized service providers, IAC affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks, to display advertisements or place ad tags or beacons on or via MS Services. These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with their advertisements.
The policy states that if you used any service associated with Mywebsearch.com and Mindspark, including toolbars and applications, will automatically be considered as your approval for personal data collection. In case you want to regain your online privacy and security you should remove the unwanted software as soon as possible.
Remove Mywebsearch.com Totally from Affected System
If your browser and system are infected with Mywebsearch.com redirect you should remove all files and objects associated with it to regain online security and privacy. For the purpose below you can find removal instructions that will help you to remove Mywebsearch.com from all affected browsers and the system. The help of an advanced anti-malware tool is recommended for maximum effectiveness. Such program will identify all leftovers, remove them efficiently and keep the computer safe in future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Mywebsearch.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Mywebsearch.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Mywebsearch.com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Mywebsearch.com on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Mywebsearch.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Mywebsearch.com (Windows).
Get rid of Mywebsearch.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Mywebsearch.com and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Mywebsearch.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Mywebsearch.com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Mywebsearch.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Mywebsearch.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Mywebsearch.com (Mac)
Remove Mywebsearch.com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Mywebsearch.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Mywebsearch.com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Mywebsearch.com from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Mywebsearch.com will be removed.
Eliminate Mywebsearch.com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Mywebsearch.com-FAQ
What Is Mywebsearch.com?
The Mywebsearch.com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Mywebsearch.com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Mywebsearch.com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Mywebsearch.com Work?
Once installed, Mywebsearch.com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Mywebsearch.com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Mywebsearch.com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Mywebsearch.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mywebsearch.com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Mywebsearch.com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Mywebsearch.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.