Have you been trying to uninstall a program called WirelessNetView? The program is advertised as an application to monitor the activity of wireless networks in the user’s vicinity. However, there are reports that indicate the program may display unwanted behavior.
In addition, several of VirusTotal’s anti-virus engines have detected WirelessNetView as suspicious. Some of the detections include terms such as “generic malware,” “riskware,” and “trojan”. Even though the program may not literally fit the description of malware, these detections should serve as a red flag. According to 22 out of the 68 VT’s security engines, the program is not safe to use.
What Is WirelessNetView?
As already mentioned, it is advertised as a useful utility that can acquire specific information about nearby wireless networks, such as SSID, signal quality, authentication and cipher algorithms, RSSI, etc. However, since the application is most likely distributed in unclear ways, including bundled software installers where it may be included as an additional download, it may fit the description of a potentially unwanted program. In addition, PUPs are often advertised as useful utilities, whereas in truth they may fail to provide all of the promised activities and may expose the OS to further damage.
If you don’t recall downloading WirelessNetView by yourself or are disappointed with its performance, finding it difficult to remove it, you can read this article. Its last paragraph provides removal instructions for software classified as potentially unwanted.
Note. Other potentially unwanted programs recently detected in the wild include BitCoinGold , CoreGeygen, and MacInformer. Keep in mind that both Windows and macOS users are targeted by the developers of potentially unwanted apps, shortly known as PUAs.
WirelessNetView Summary
| Name | WirelessNetView also known as Trojan.IGENERIC, Malware@#u3lbmrb1dtrb, Riskware/WirelessNetView, Trojan.Win32.Kryptik.ns. (full list of detections available on VirusTotal. |
| Type | PUP (potentialy unwanted program) |
| Short Description | A program advertised as a useful utility that may fail to provide its promised functionalities. |
| Symptoms | Your operating system’s performance may be impacted. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Poorly Secured Websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss WirelessNetView. |
WirelessNetView Distribution Techniques – Why Do I Have the Program Installed?
Potentially unwanted programs can have official websites where they are advertised and offered for download. That being said, these programs are often available for download on third-party download platforms.
However, in most cases, unwanted programs are included in the installers of other applications. This method is known as bundling.
What Is Bundling?
Thanks to bundling, shady companies can promote potentially unwanted applications as additional downloads in freeware installers. These apps may not be malicious but they can be very irritating and difficult to remove. Furthermore, the longer an unwanted app is running on your system, the more vulnerable it becomes to other, more severe threats.
Bundling is not illegal but it often causes unwanted, additional downloads, even of legitimate products. To avoid it from happening, you should be more careful during the installation steps of freeware applications. Once a PUP is installed, it is highly likely to start generating unwanted ads. Another side effect is the browser redirects to numerous suspicious pages employed for scams and fake downloads.
N.B. Keep in mind that the WirelessNetView program may not be removed by just moving it to the Trash bin. Its files may be hidden in system repositories, access to which demands specific technical knowledge and skills. In other words, you need to consider a thorough removal process, and eventually rely on the help of an anti-malware tool to detect potentially harmful files and remove them completely from the system. Since the app may be designed to affect installed browsers as well, we recommend that you check them for any present unwanted extensions.
How to Remove WirelessNetView
To get rid of WirelessNetView along with any associated files, you should complete several removal steps. If you want to make sure that no undesired and potentially harmful files are running on your system, we recommend that you follow the guide to the end. Keep in mind that some of the installed files may be named in a way not related to the PUPs’a name, so that they can be hard to find, and therefore, hard to remove.
If you have further questions, drop us a comment.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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How to Remove WirelessNetView from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for WirelessNetView with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall WirelessNetView 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView (Windows).
Get rid of WirelessNetView from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView. 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as WirelessNetView, 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 WirelessNetView (Mac)
Remove WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView will be removed.
Eliminate WirelessNetView 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".
WirelessNetView-FAQ
What Is WirelessNetView?
The WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView?
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 WirelessNetView?
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 WirelessNetView Work?
Once installed, WirelessNetView 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.
WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this WirelessNetView 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 WirelessNetView?
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 WirelessNetView threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.