How to remove Torch Browser from PC

Simple guide to delete Torch Browser

Threat specification

Name: Torch Browser

Type: PUP, Browser hijacker

Symptoms: new tab URL, homepage and search engine, changes to Windows registry, searched query filled with sponsored links, lots of ads and popup.

Infiltration: fake software updates, spam emails, deceptive pop-up ads, fake Flash Player installers, software bundling and many more.

Damage: redirects to dubious websites, steal personal information (possibly privacy issues) or money loss.

Removal: You can uninstall the programs easily by following our instructions below.

Torch Browser is an internet browser based on the Chromium engine. The application has media downloading and sharing capabilities. It allow users to share photos, videos, sites and even search results on their social networking pages like Facebook and Twitter. This software can be downloaded from its official pages however, it also gets distributed via freeware and shareware bundles. This is the main reason why it is classified as PUP.

Moreover, after installation, such an app track internet browsing activity and might display ads as well as degrade computer’s performance. During the installation of Torch Browser, users are offered to install Ask toolbar and once done, such toolbar causes browser redirects to search.ask.com website. When using it, you will have to search the web with Ask search engine. Although, this engine is not untrustworthy, it will provide you with sponsored contents.

While Torch Browser doesn’t pose direct threats of user’s internet browsing safety, in fact this application is distributed using deceptive ads and comes bundled with other software and makes it similar to other PUPs. Recently, various companies started distributing potentially unwanted apps pretending to be legitimate Chromium based browsers to generate income from ads and browser redirects. Moreover, it can monitor your searching queries, browsing history, all the keyboard inputs you make in your web browser.

Later on, all the stolen information may be shared and misused by third parties (potentially cyber criminals) to generate revenue. Therefore, users who have their browsers hijacked by such apps could encounter various problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, financial losses or even becomes victim of identity theft. So, to fix all such troubles users are recommended to remove Torch Browser and all suspicious applications and browser extensions immediately from the system/browser.

How Torch Browser comes into your PC?

Torch Browser is a cunning system virus that comes into your computer using deceptive software marketing method called bundling. Bundling is the term used to describe as the stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications along with other programs. This happens when users do not pay much attention when downloading and installing applications. Most of the users skip installation procedure steps and often unintentionally install additional programs. The installation information about those programs is not disclose properly as it is hidden within custom or either advanced settings that are often skipped by the users. Besides, people should be more careful when installing free software from third party download websites.

Remove Torch Browser

There are two ways you can go about Torch Browser removal. You can uninstall it manually or automatically. Manual removal should not be too complicated, however it does not guarantee that you will eliminate PUPs completely. The only way to be sure of that is to delete Torch Browser automatically. Download and install antimalware tool and use it to scan your system. Once you do, you will be able to remove installed browser hijackers infections and other detected threats soon from the PC.

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 Torch Browser:

Remove the related items of Torch Browser 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 Torch Browser 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 (Torch Browser) 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 Torch Browser 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 Torch Browser 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 Torch Browser 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 Torch Browser 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 Torch Browser (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.

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