How to remove Omyweb browser hijacker

Delete Omyweb from the system

Omyweb is a rogue piece of software, categorized as browser hijacker. Typically, this type of applications alters browsers’ settings and promotes addresses of fake web searchers. This particular application promotes a fake search engine named keysearchs.com. But, it does not alter any browsers’ settings. Like other applications of this kind, this application can track data related to users’ web browsing activities. Since people install such applications unintentionally, these apps are deemed to be potentially unwanted applications.

More about Omyweb

Omyweb targets popular browsers with large users’ base. It alters browsers’ homepage, new tab page and default search engine options and sets keysearchs.com to these places. Due to such changes, each query entered and every new tab/ window opened redirects to the address of the promoted search engine. Typically, fake search engines are not able to generate their own search results. Therefore, they tend to redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo or other genuine ones. The keysearchs.com web searcher is not an exception to this. It simply redirect to Google or causes a chain consisting of my-search.com, search-checker.com and finally to the Bing (Bing.com).

The browser hijacker can reassign any changes made to the browsers and/or restrict / deny access to the browser’s settings. Therefore, it is not possible to return to the previous browser settings option without Omyweb removal. What is more, this PUA can track users’ browsing session and collect the data related to users’ web browsing activities. The list of the collected data includes:

• IP addresses,
• Search queries,
• Viewed pages,
• URLs visited,
• Geo-locations and etc.

The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to potent crooks. To sum up, presence of the data tracking app can result into serious privacy issue, financial loss and even identity theft. To prevent any such things from happening in future, remove Omyweb and all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/ plug-ins that are come together with it or are installed by it after the infection.

How did Omyweb intrude in?

Some PUAs have their official websites. These apps can also be downloaded/ installed together with other programs. The false marketing method used to spread the PUAs installation together with some other software is called software bundling. In this method, pre-packing of regular app is done with unwanted and malicious one. By rushing the download and skipping most of the installation sections, users increase the risk of inadvertent installation of unwanted applications. Once clicked on, intrusive ads can cause PUAs download/ installation by running certain scripts.

How to prevent PUAs intrusion?

It is strongly recommended you to research software prior to download/ install and/or purchase. All downloads should be done using official websites and direct links. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third party downloaders- commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content. During download/ installation, it is necessary to read all terms, study possible option, use Custom/Advanced settings and opt out from supplementary applications. Intrusive ads appear legit and ordinary. However, they often redirect to various unreliable pages such as gambling, adult dating and pornography and similar. If you encounter any such ads/ redirects, immediately check the system for suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/ plug-ins for their removal.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Omyweb:

Remove the related items of Omyweb using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Omyweb issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Omyweb) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Omyweb removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Omyweb still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Omyweb plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Omyweb removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Omyweb (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.