The Web Companion application is marketed as antivirus software that protects computers from malware infections and data breaches. It is also added as an extension to web browsers.
This installation occurs without your permission and interferes with the operation of other installed apps. It distributes advertising and displays coupons, ads, and links to sponsored websites.
Web Companion Software & Should It Be Removed
This article will cover how the Adaware web companion got on your computer, if it is safe, how to avoid installing it, and how to uninstall it if you already have it.
But first off, let’s take a look at the company responsible for Web Companion – Adaware
Adaware
Adaware, originally Lavasoft, is a software development business that creates spyware and malware detection software like Adaware Web Companion.
They’ve also developed Adaware Ad Block, Lavasoft File Shredder, Lavasoft Digital Lock, Lavasoft Privacy Toolbox, and Lavasoft Registry Tuner.
Solaria Fund purchased the company Lavasoft in January 2011. However, it was eventually revealed that the Fund was really a front for entrepreneurs involved in selling “Free/Open–Source” software to consumers by duping them with a deceitful promise of “Premium Support.”
They were also accused of selling a free version of Lavasoft’s Security Program before ultimately purchasing the company.
Furthermore, In 2013, security consultant Dancho Danchev reported that Lavasoft hides difficult-to-uninstall programs (bundled software) in third-party software settings to trick users into installing them.
Examples included the K-Lite Codec Pack and the Lavasoft Web Companion, which change browser settings without the user’s permission.
Although the corporation defends the legality of bundled software and argues that their software is only used to combat malware, experts have labeled their goods as malware.
How True Are These Claims?
If you’re looking for the application on the internet, there’s a good chance it was installed on your computer without your knowledge.
This is because the “Web Companion” program installs itself on your computer without your knowledge and comes packed with other software that you may have unknowingly acquired.
It is stated that the companion protects against spyware and malware, although, in actual fact, there isn’t much that distinguishes it from malware. The application provides no clear advantage to the computer’s health and modifies certain browser settings without the user’s knowledge.
Because of the manner in which developers distribute it, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Clients frequently install programs of this type unwittingly, allowing the software to modify browser settings.
How Did Adaware Web Companion Get Installed On My Computer?
Web Companion can be downloaded from the official website. However, it is usually installed accidentally by users. This is because software makers utilize the “bundling” method.
Bundling is a deceptive marketing technique that involves tricking customers into installing potentially undesirable apps alongside other software.
These programs are usually hidden by developers in “Custom,” “Advanced,” and other comparable settings/options of download or installation setups. Information about the incorporation of these PUPs into setups is not fully revealed.
They are readily overlooked, particularly if the installation/download procedures are omitted and all settings are kept unchanged.
How Do You Know It’s Installed?
Once installed, Adaware Web Companion can be highly aggravating and cause a real menace.
The application will show pop-ups that claim to protect against the following threats:
- Invasive ads
- Rogue websites
- Phishing scams
- Data tracking
These warnings do not have an expiry date, so you may be bombarded with alerts every time you turn on your computer. It substantially harms clients’ perusing experience since it keeps popping up all the time.
Unfortunately, the application’s infection check reports and supplementary advertising are untrustworthy.
Engineers want to make money by convincing people that their computers are infected so that they will continue to use these untrustworthy services.
Users are even persuaded to purchase the superior form or install additional security technologies at times.
Also Read: Difference Between Firewall & Antivirus
Is Adaware Web Companion Safe?
Adaware Web Companion is dangerous for a couple of reasons.
1. The official website of Web Companion, an online security program, employs the older HTTP extension. It has no HTTPS certificates to its name.
Most browsers, including Google Chrome, flag this ancient extension as “not secure.” As a free utility, the software is unlikely to have the resources to invest in more secure encryption algorithms.
2. Another issue that Web Companion users confront is browser hijacking. After you install it, Bing will become your default web browser.
If you are successful in replacing your old browser the first time, the web companion will continue to prompt you to adjust the settings until it stops after the third attempt.
Previously, Lavasoft was known to use Komodia SSL Digester in the operation of Web Companion — the feature blamed for the Superfish affair.
According to experts, Komodia SSL Digestor undermines your browser’s security. Its purpose is to read encrypted web pages and inject advertising into them.
3. The most concerning topic associated with Web Companion is that its policy specifies that Lavasoft has the right to disclose ‘non-personal’ data of users to third parties.
As a result, anything you post on public platforms cannot be certified as secure or secret after Web Companion is installed on your browser.
As previously stated, your personal information may be shared with the program’s parent and affiliate firms, as well as other parties.
The End-User License Agreement for Web Companion also indicates that Lavasoft may gather data about your operating system (release, bit architecture, version, etc.).
It may interfere with your installed applications (install source, location, display name, version, etc.). Furthermore, it has the ability to have a negative impact on your Windows’ IP and services.
4. The most significant warning is (that if you are already utilizing a dependable security instrument, for example, Malwarebytes), it will rapidly recognize the application. There are numerous different security devices that recognize it as follows:
- Program.Unwanted.3914
- PUA: Win32/Puasson.A!ml
- A Variant Of MSIL/WebCompanion.C Potentially
- Generic PUA CJ (PUA)
- PUFF.WebCompanion!8.9E98
- Riskware/WebCompanion
As a result, it’s recommended that you obtain dependable software to maintain the security of your PC. That way, you can effectively fish out counterfeit programs like this.
Explore: Difference Between Anti-malware & Antivirus
How To Avoid Installation Of Web Companion
When installing or downloading software, check all “Advanced,” “Custom,” and other similar settings/options, deselect (opt-out of) unwanted apps, and then complete the download/installation operation.
Avoid using third-party software downloaders, torrents or other peer-to-peer networks, and unofficial or/and untrustworthy sources when downloading software.
Use only official outlets (websites) and direct links. Remember that cyber thieves invest time and money on ad design, so even the most obnoxious advertisements will appear genuine.
When they are clicked, however, they typically redirect to unsavory/untrustworthy websites such as pornography, gambling, adult dating, and so on.
Check your browser for any unwanted extensions, add-ons, or plug-ins if you are experiencing these redirects or the advertising that causes them.
Examine the list of programs that are installed on your computer as well. Entries that are unwanted or suspicious should be removed.
But if your device is already infected with PUPs, the next part offers the steps you can use to remove them.
How To Uninstall Web Companion
Manual Method
To start the uninstallation process, do the following:
For Windows
Step 1: In the Search bar, near the Start button, search for the Control Panel and select the first result.
Step 2: In the Control Panel box, select the “Uninstall a program” option from the Programs category.
Step 3: When the Programs and Features box opens, go through the list of installed software until you find the Web Companion application.
Step 4: To remove the Web Companion software from your Windows PC, right-click on the entry and select the Uninstall button.
Step 5: On the next screen, choose the option to restore your web browser and click the Remove button (if you do not want to restore your browser).
Step 6: Wait and let the uninstallation process finish.
Restart your computer to ensure that it has been successfully deleted.
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For Mac
To uninstall Adaware Web Companion on a Mac, launch “Finder.” To do so, go to your desktop and click the “Finder” icon in the Dock. Select “Applications” from the window that displays.
PS: “Applications” will be added to your “Favorites” menu by default.
This will provide a list of all the apps that are currently installed on your Mac. Scroll down until you see Web Companion. Drag Web Companion over the trash symbol in the Dock and drop it once you see it. Next, hold down the trash symbol until the phrase “Empty Trash” displays, and then click “Empty Trash.”
Web Companion has been uninstalled from your computer. Even if you’re not infected with Web Companion, you may have other malware infections on your computer, especially if you’ve been downloading strange files from dubious sources.
For Chrome
In order to make sure that there is nothing still being tampered with, it’s best to reset the Chrome web browser. It’ll restore Chrome settings to defaults.
1. To begin, open Google Chrome and press the Menu button (a small button in the form of three dots). It will display the main menu of Google Chrome.
2. Choose More Tools, then Extensions.
You’ll see a list of extensions that have been installed. If the plugin is tagged “Installed by corporate policy” or “Installed by your administrator” in the list, proceed to number three.
3. Remove any Chrome extensions that were installed as part of an enterprise policy.
4. Now, enter the Google Chrome menu again and select the “Settings” option.
5. You will be taken to the Google Chrome settings page. Scroll down and select the “Advanced” option.
6. Scroll down and you will see Chrome display the reset profile settings page.
7. Then click the “Reset” button.
After completing this procedure, your browser’s search provider, start page, and new tab page will be reset to their default settings.
Check Out: CCleaner vs Malwarebytes
For Firefox
1. To begin, launch Mozilla Firefox and press the Firefox menu button. It will open the drop-down menu on the browser’s right side.
2. Click the Help button (Firefox help button).
3. Select “Troubleshooting Information” from the Help menu.
Another approach to accessing the “Troubleshooting Information” panel is to type “about:support” into the address bar of your internet browser and press Enter.
It will also bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
4. Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of this screen. The confirmation dialog box will appear. Then, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
Firefox will begin a procedure to resolve any issues caused by PUPs. When you’re done, click the “Finish” button.
Problem solved!
Running a comprehensive system scan as soon as apps you don’t recognize arrive on your PC is recommended.
You can do that through a more convenient automatic process.
Also Read: Bleachbit vs CCleaner
Automatic Process
In this case, you can use a dedicated Windows Uninstaller to remove programs in bulk, together with their associated files and remnants.
This assures that no traces of the Web Companion Application remain on your computer.
To free your system from browser hijackers and adware, install and run an antivirus to find and destroy all kinds of viruses, malware, spyware, trojan horse, and other threats that most of the other security utilities tend to miss.
Some popular ones are Norton, Systweak, IObit, Max Uninstaller, Zemana, etc. Choose the one most compatible with your computer. The steps are pretty much generic and usually follow this pattern.
To clean up an infected device, Systweak Antivirus has always been a recommended choice to fight against existing and new kinds of threats.
STEP 1- Download, install, and launch your preferred Antivirus on our computer.
STEP 2- From the main dashboard, click on the desired scanning modes – Quick Scan, Deep Scan, or Custom Scan!
STEP 3- The Antivirus offers a robust scanning engine that scans the entire nook and cranny of your hard drive to list all the potential issues that may harm your computer.
Hit “Protect Now” or “Clean Now” or whatever button your preferred Antivirus has to effectively remove all the threats in one go!
Conclusion
If you are still wondering whether you should remove Web Companion from the system, the answer is “absolutely, you should.”
With the aid of the steps we’ll offer soon, you can remove the application from your computer.
Manual ejection does not take long. In any event, run our recommended instruments to guarantee that there are no extra records on the framework.
Remember that such apps will typically modify the PC’s library and initiate further changes in order to begin working with each framework’s startup.
