Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Web Searcher and other threats.
Threats such as Web Searcher may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Web Searcher is yet another potentially unwanted program that installs via bundling and introduces pop-up advertisements on your computer while you are browsing. The program is considered risky primarily because it may collect user information and transfer users to dangerous third-party websites. This is why In case you are seeing ad “by Web Searcher” it is advisable to take steps towards removing it from your computer fully.
Name
Web Searcher
Type
Adware
Short Description
The software may collect user information and display advertisements during web browsing.
Symptoms
The user may witness various online advertisements. His PC may significanly slow down in terms of performance.
Similar to other riskware, Web Searcher is distributed via several different installers of useful software. Examples may be your favorite media player or other programs downloaded from a website that offers various free apps for your PC. As a marketing tool some software providing sites “mix” the installers of their programs using different third-party tools to profit from their aggressive advertising. You may encounter them in the End User Agreement or during one of the installation steps in the “Add as free extra” opt windows.
Web Searcher Ads – How Does It Work
Once it has been installed on the computer the program immediately situates all of the modules that it requires to run and display advertisements successfully on your Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer. Symantec researchers have analyzed this riskware and reported the following files to be associated with Web Searcher:
When the program is executed, it creates the following files:
Files Created by Web Searcher
→ “In Program Files\WebSearcher\bin: config.json fiddler-root.cer FiddlerCore.dll FiddlerCoreWrapper.dll makecert.exe script.js Service.exe Sniffer.exe uninstall.exe In the directory SystemDrive\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\ Applications\Windows\Projects\SystemIndex\Indexer\CiFiles\: 00010002.ci 00010002.dir 00010002.wid In SystemDrive\ProgramData\: Ntuser.pol In UserProfile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5: J84{random}VEY\update10[1].exe JMC{random}GJ1\track[1].htm In UserProfiler\AppData\Local\Temp\: au-descriptor-1.8.0_71-b15.xml nsoA43C.tmp In UserProfile\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\Content: 05EC48341C2{random}91377DC_F4D89EB1FD4{random}F169F9D4E2D 49514950C9{random}6312597DFF49_33A0493B375{random}782457685E27 In UserProfile\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\MetaData: 05EC48341C277F{random}FAA91377DC_F4D89EB{random}FB0D09F169F9D4E2D 49514950C94E{random}6312597DFF49_33A0493B37{random}B52782457685E27 In UserProfile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA: S-1-5-21-188{random}0949-263{random}39-197{random}958-1000\7b90a71bfc56f2582e916a51aed6df9a_01fe238d-4489-4e80-b4a4-eada96f32bd5 In UserProfile\AppData\Roaming: Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\Keys\0565E3{random}C2E8DF090F0D45124771C81 Video Codex\Codex.exe In AllUsersProfile\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Projects\SystemIndex\Indexer\CiFiles: 00010002.ci 00010002.dir 00010002.wid AllUsersProfile\ntuser.pol Windir\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\~FontCache-S-1-5-21-188{random}0949-2634{random}639-1978{random}958-1000.dat In \System: GroupPolicy\GPT.INI GroupPolicy\Machine\Registry.pol LogFiles\Scm\405918c0-6502-43a2-8735-d423{random}12c0 winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-RemoteAssistance%4Admin.evtx winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-RemoteAssistance%4Operational.evtx In \Windir: SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\counters.dat SysWOW64\GroupPolicy\gpt.ini”
After the program has created its necessary files, it creates registry entries with specific values to enable it to be harder to get rid of, run on startup and give priorities to its executables:
After all of these modules have been created, the software then may begin to display different advertisements on the user’s browser. Ads may be from various forms:
Pop-ups.
Banners.
Ad-supported search results.
Browser Redirects.
In addition to that, this program is also capable of tracking different user information in order to display ads based on the interests:
IP address.
Location.
Language.
Browsing history.
Online clicks.
Online searches.
All of those make a perfect recipe to serve the cyber-criminal’s interests. They may boost the traffic of third-party websites by advertising them to your or directly redirecting them, they may collect your information via proxies and other tracking technologies and share it for profit. Furthermore, they may redirect you to harmful sites that may either be scams or infect your PC with malware.All of those make Web Searcher a risky program that should be terminated.
Remove Web Searcher Ads from Your PC
There are many methods to remove this software. You can use delete assistant, such as Delete Doctor to remove the above mentioned files manually and use a registry deleting script we suggested. But it is a costly process and it does not guarantee you safety since your system may already be compromised indirectly via Web Searcher. This is why you may want to follow the step-by-step manual below to successfully be rid of this application from your computer.
Delete Web Searcher from Windows and Your Browser
1.Remove or Uninstall Web Searcher in Windows
Remove or Uninstall Web Searcher in Windows.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Web Searcher in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program.No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).
In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).
This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Web Searcher.
2.Remove Web Searcher from Your Browser
Remove Web Searcher from Your Browser.
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla FirefoxRemove a toolbar from Google Chrome Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer Remove a toolbar from Safari
Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Web Searcher and click “Remove”
After Web Searcher is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu
Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
From the opened “Extensions” menu locate Web Searcher and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.
After Web Searcher is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Start Internet Explorer:
Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’
In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’
Select Web Searcher to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After Web Searcher has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Start Safari
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’ In the new window select ‘Extensions’ Click once on Web Searcher Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Web Searcher. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Web Searcher will be removed.
Remove Web Searcher automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
1. Remove Web Searcher with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Remove Web Searcher with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Web Searcher.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Web Searcher.
Step 1:Click here to go to SpyHunter’s download instruction page. Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser. Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.
Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button. Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Web Searcher files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently. Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.
2. Back up your data to secure it against attacks related to Web Searcher in the future
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup.
1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)
1-Click on Windows Start Menu 2-Type Backup And Restore 3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup 4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next. 5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next. 6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by Web Searcher.
1-Press Windows button + R 2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter 3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’ 4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup. 5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from Web Searcher.
1- Press Windows button + R keys. 2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run. 3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection. 5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection. 6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from Web Searcher is on. Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature: 1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties. 2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file. 3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by Web Searcher should be restored.
Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools
Remove Web Searcher Using Other Alternative Tools
STOPZilla Anti Malware
1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Web Searcher. Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here. Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards. Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it. Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button. Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again. Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button. Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.
2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Web Searcher associated files completely. Step 1:Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install. Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button. Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.
NOTE! Substantial notification about the Web Searcher threat: Manual removal of Web Searcher requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Web Searcher is yet another potentially unwanted program that installs via bundling and introduces pop-up advertisements on your computer while you are browsing. The program is considered risky primarily because it may collect user information and transfer users to dangerous third-party websites. This is why In case you are seeing ad “by Web Searcher” it is advisable to take steps towards removing it from your computer fully.
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Web Searcher.
1. For Windows 7 and earlier
STOPZilla Anti Malware
