Wowstart.online is an online page redirect, which can hijack your browsers. The settings which this hijacker can switch are the start page, search engine and new tab of browsers you use. You will be redirected to Google’s Custom Search from the search queries you make. You will see advertisements and redirect links from the results page. To remove this browser hijacker, you should read the whole article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Wowstart.online |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Browser applications on your computer system can be affected. The hijacker redirects you and can show you advertisements and sponsored content. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, search engine and new tab setting will be changed. You will get redirected from the search results every time you do a search, use a search bar or open a new tab. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Wowstart.online. |
Wowstart.online – Distribution Ways
Wowstart.online can be distributed using several ways. One of those ways is through third-party installations of bundled apps and free software. Such installations might have default settings to place additional content on your personal computer. Without your knowledge, the hijacker will secretly modify specific setting until you notice a change. To avoid setups like that can be done easily, if you manage to find a Custom or an Advanced settings menu. From it, you can deselect components you do not want.
Another way of distribution might use a browser add-on, extension or a plug-in, set across your browsers. The distribution might happen via banners, pop-ups or other types of advertisements. The hijacker redirect could be spread by redirect links from other websites. Such websites might be partnered with Wowstart.online. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
Wowstart.online – Technical Analysis
Wowstart.online is the main website page of a search engine. The search provided on the site is presented as the fastest search engine. That is not true as the site uses Google’s Custom Search, but is actually slower than Google and other notable search engines. The site will set the Wowstart.online page as your starting page, new tab setting and default search service. You can see how the page looks like from the image shown right here:
The Wowstart.online page primarily consists of a pure white background picture, a search bar with a logo stating the name of the site and some buttons. The buttons are big and provide redirect links to popular websites – YouTube, Facebook, Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, AliExpress, Instagram, and Pinterest. There are no other redirects or links on that page whatsoever. That online page replaces the default homepage, search engine, and new tab setting of each browser found on your computer machine.
In the image placed right under the paragraph, you will see an example results page of a search query made on the Wowstart.online service. Evidently, Google’s Custom Search is utilized, but the URL address does not change. This search engine is not a reputable one, so it won’t be a surprise if it only uses the logo of Google’s Custom Search and a similar design. Advertisements and targeted content can appear among the search results.
Your search queries will be filtered by the Wowstart.online service. So, every bit of data going through the search bars will be duplicated and sent to servers tied to the website makers. Be on alert when using the search and preferably do not use it altogether. It will intrude your privacy and probably track you and your online activity.
Be very careful with what information you give out on this and similar sites. Do not provide any account information, credentials, banking details or personal data. Anything may be used by the site owners to access your accounts, or possibly be sold on the black market for some lousy cents. In-text links or additional redirecting links could be generated when you surf the net. Some information may be acquired from the website through the help of cookies and more related technologies. Read further to find out what the Wowstart.online site does to invade your private space.
The Privacy Policy of the Wowstart.online is nowhere to be found. That speaks volumes concerning legitimacy. It might be hidden somewhere, but it definitely not on the site. However, you can see something very peculiar in the following picture:
As you can see from the above image, the site is using one browser cookie to track visitors on the site, but the odd thing here is the expiration date. It expires more than two hundred years from now, so technically, if you don’t clear your cookies, it is going to stay forever on your computer device.
Usually, cookies found on such websites gather technical data, such as the search terms you enter on the site, the pages you visit, links you follow, ads you click on and the list might be quite long. In addition, a cookie might collect personally identifying information such as your geo location, IP address, unique identifier number and etc. So, be careful what you enter as information on the Wowstart.online site and any other website found through it for that matter.
Besides browser cookies, the site may use similar technologies, such as pixel tags, Web beacons, clear GIFs or more technologies for tracking. Thus, any interaction with the website may send some information to servers connected to the browser hijacker site. Furthermore, if you get redirected to other websites, they surely will have cookies or a privacy policy set in place. Be wary of your actions online and choose carefully what you do.
Remove Wowstart.online from Your PC
To remove Wowstart.online manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Wowstart.online from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Wowstart.online with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Wowstart.online and related software from Windows
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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online (Windows).
Get rid of Wowstart.online from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online. 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Wowstart.online, 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 Wowstart.online (Mac)
Remove Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online will be removed.
Eliminate Wowstart.online 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".
Wowstart.online-FAQ
What Is Wowstart.online?
The Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online?
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 Wowstart.online?
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 Wowstart.online Work?
Once installed, Wowstart.online 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.
Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Wowstart.online 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 Wowstart.online?
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 Wowstart.online threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.