Wzscnet.com is a search engine and the main domain of a browser hijacker that redirects. The hijacker has got a logo on its main search page, resembling that of Google, as each of the letters is colored in a similar way. The hijacker also redirects to a Google Custom Search results page. Sponsored advertisements and targeted content could display if you use Wzscnet.com or have something related to it on your PC. The hijacker can modify the homepage, new tab, and search engine of your browsers.
To remove the hijacker, you should read the article in full.
Threat Summary
| Name | Wzscnet.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Every browser application on your computer could be affected. The hijacker can redirect you and show you various advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Browser settings which can be changed are the homepage, the search engine and the new tab. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Wzscnet.com. |
Wzscnet.com – Distribution Ways
Wzscnet.com may be distributed via various ways. One of these ways can be through third-party installation setups of bundled programs and freeware. The setups might have a setting for installing additional components to your computer, by default. You could have installed a free video converter or a similar program and find out that the hijacker came with it. You might avoid some of these unwanted installations. What you need to do is find Custom or Advanced settings in a setup to deselect unneeded components.
Wzscnet.com might have other ways of distributing itself to your computer machine and browser applications. An extension or an add-on could also be responsible for that outcome, if it is in your browser programs. Other distribution ways might involve advertisements, such as pop-ups and banners, or redirect links. Sponsored ads or targeted content on dubious websites is not excluded to further distribute the redirect. Websites like that could be partnered with Wzscnet.com. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
Wzscnet.com – Detailed Information
Wzscnet.com is the search engine and main domain of a browser hijacker redirect. Upon visiting the main domain, you will witness a page, which differentiates from the search page, called Free Avatar Maker. On there, you can upload images or resize them, but the website will not host them longer than a full day. You can view it down below:
The search redirect, which is on the same site, consists of a white page as a background, a logo, a search bar below it, and some advertisements. That search page can be visited from the https://Wzscnet.com/i/startm.html address. You can view it in the following screenshot:
Wzscnet.com tries to look like a legitimate search engine or a side project of Google, but it is not any of that. The hijacker will simply redirect you to the search results page of Google’s Custom search. Your searches will go via the initial online address. The page of the unwanted redirect that is shown in the above image can replace the homepage, new tab setting and the default search for nearly all browsers you have. A browser add-on related to the redirect could be in your browsers, as well.
In the screenshot under this paragraph, you will view an example for a search query that went through Wzscnet.com. You will get redirected to the search results page of Google’s Custom search. You might witness targeted content, sponsored advertisements and could get redirected more. The main page will certainly redirect you from its adverts hosted on the page. Beware, as this hijacker will filter your search queries, and all that data will be stored on servers connected to its developer. That could include information on how you interacted with the website, ads or search results.
Browser cookies are utilized in the acquisition of the information that the hijacker tries to obtain from about you. Various tracking technologies might be used in this situation, too. Be careful with the information you provide with your searches, especially if they go through pages of Wzscnet.com. Refrain from clicking on anything shown as adverts or links as they could be specifically targeting you.
Wzscnet.com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the Wzscnet.com site is rather short. It can be accessed from a link on the bottom of the main page of this browser hijacker. By reading the privacy policy, it becomes clear that the site could be closely connected to the Free Avatar Maker service. The policy does not mention anything specific about the gathering of information, but it is a fact that the site uses cookies, plus Google DART cookies, which can get information about your internet habits.
Here is how the Privacy Policy page looks:
Wzscnet.com can obtain information about you from the search queries you make or from the advertisements you interact with. All of this data, including personally identifiable information, can be disclosed to several third parties. So, be careful with what you enter in any search bars put by this browser hijacker.
The policy of Wzscnet.com doubtlessly states that you consent to it when you are on its site, no matter if you interact with its services or not. A huge part of the data collection is obtained with the help of specific browser cookies and similar tracking technologies.
Remove Wzscnet.com Completely
To remove Wzscnet.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of 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 Wzscnet.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Wzscnet.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Wzscnet.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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com (Windows).
Get rid of Wzscnet.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com (Mac)
Remove Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com will be removed.
Eliminate Wzscnet.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".
Wzscnet.com-FAQ
What Is Wzscnet.com?
The Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com Work?
Once installed, Wzscnet.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.
Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.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 Wzscnet.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.