Remove WebFox adware

Effective methods to delete WebFox

WebFox is identified as dubious browser which is based on an open source project called Chromium. It endorsed as a browser that offers faster and safer browsing. Additionally, it has a feature that allows users to access certain browser functions directly from the desktop. However, it has been classified as an adware. Adware is a type of malicious programs that deliver various misleading and possibly malicious ads. Moreover, due to its improper infiltration methods, such an app is also considered to be potentially unwanted application.

Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking abilities which are used to spy users browsing habits. This type of browser creates virtual layer that enables third party graphical content on any visited website. Continually, this adware delivers intrusive adverts including banners, surveys, pop-ups, full page and other similar advertisements. Such ads limit the browsing speed and visibility of pages visited. Once clicked on, those ads redirect users to variety of malicious and harmful websites. What’s more, some of the ads could be stealthily download or install software by running scripts.

Despite this, unwanted apps cause redirects or hijack browsers. Furthermore, adware have data tracking ability as we discussed above. They can track users browsing session and collect information related to their browsing activities. Such details could be shared to potent cyber criminals who misuse them to generate illicit revenue. To sum up, the adware infection can cause system damage, inject other unknown apps, cause identity theft, great monetary loss and huge risk of privacy. So, to fix all such issues, it is recommended to remove WebFox as early as possible.

Threat specification

Name: WebFox

Type: PUP, PUA

Functionality: access to certain browser features from the desktop.  

Symptoms: A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased internet browsing speed.  

Distribution methods: Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications, torrent file downloads and many more.

Damage: Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, possible malware infections, slow system performance, unwanted warning pop-ups.

Removal: Use reliable antivirus removal tool to remove WebFox and all PUPs soon from the system.  

How did PUAs install on my computer?

PUAs like WebFox have its own official download pages through which they can be downloaded or installed. Developers behind this distribute these applications via software bundling method. In this method, pre-packing of ordinary products takes place together with unwanted software. They hide the information about additional attached apps behind custom/advanced option of the downloading/installation setups in order to deceive users.

During installation, when users leave those available settings unchecked or unchanged  and skip available installation procedures, they often allow unwanted apps to be downloaded along with wanted software which users download/install intentionally. It also spread through attachment of spam email, pirated software, unsafe file sharing platform, infected USB drives, harmful links, malicious websites and many more.

How to avoid installation of unwanted programs?

To avoid infiltration of unwanted programs and other harmful threats, it is recommended to research products before downloading or installing it. All programs must be downloaded by using official and verified sources and via direct download links. Other untrustworthy channels like unofficial pages, free file hosting sites, third party installers etc should not be used because those sources commonly offer deceptive content.

Further, do not finish installation processes without checking custom/advanced options or other settings. This option provides a list of attached apps with the chosen software as an option to deselect unwanted apps during the download/installation moment. Moreover, ads that appear on shady pages should not be clicked as they redirect users to unreliable pages relating to adult-dating and so on.

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 WebFox:

Remove the related items of WebFox 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 WebFox 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 (WebFox) 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 WebFox 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 WebFox 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 WebFox 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 WebFox 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 WebFox (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.