Web Companion Unwanted Application

What is a Web Companion?

Web Companion is an application developed by Adaware (previously called Lavasoft) designed to protect computer systems from malware infections and other privacy breaches. However, Ad-aware Web Companion is flagged as potentially unwanted software due to how developers distributed it.

Applications like this are often installed by users unknowingly or who don’t understand what they are doing.

In the installation process, the Adaware Web Companion software asks the user for permission to make changes to their browser. Most users don’t notice this and mindlessly click the ‘Next’ and ‘Accept’ buttons.

Additional Information About Lavasoft’s Web Companion

The installer for Web Companion asks for permission to modify the settings of your existing web installer for Web Companion asks for permission to alter the settings of your current web browser throughout the setup process.

Many consumers ignore the program installation process and agree to Web Companion’s EULA or their terms and conditions, oblivious to the dangers. The Yahoo, Bing, and Yandex search engines were observed to be advertised by Web Companion’s installer during the time of this writing.

As a result of granting permission to modify the default web browser settings, one of these sites on the internet will be made the default search engine, the default website for new tabs, and the homepage options. As mentioned earlier, this program is categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application since its creators use misleading marketing techniques such as “bundling” to advertise it. As a result, it is frequently installed unintentionally.

Although the program feature of Web Companion sounds good, we strongly suggest steering away from it because of its sketchy way of marketing associated programs.

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Ad-aware Web Companion’s installer promotes search engines like Bing, Yandex, and Yahoo. Once the software is installed, your browser’s default homepage and the search engine will be replaced with either one of these engines.

How Did Potentially Unwanted Applications Get Installed?

The Lavasoft Web Companion application can be downloaded on their official website. However, if Web Companion was installed unknowingly on your computer, it could have been bundled with other legitimate programs.

Usually, developers hide the other software on Custom or Advanced installation settings, which most users don’t mind checking.

How to Avoid Potentially Unwanted Software or Applications?

The best way to avoid PUS or potentially unwanted software is by being mindful of the applications you install. When installing a program, check the Advanced or Custom settings and remove any applications bundled on the program.

In addition, avoid using third-party downloaders, malicious sites, and links. Keep in mind that cybercriminals spend a lot of time and money to make advertisements and programs look legitimate to take advantage of your computer and data.

Protect your system from unwanted programs and other viruses by getting TotalAV below:

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Automatic Malware Removal Tool:

Removing malware and other malicious programs, such as the Adaware Web Companion, on your computer can be tedious. Thankfully, TotalAV is a third-party antivirus software that prevents adware, spyware, ransomware, and malware and their associated program files from entering your system.

Step 1: Install Malware Removal

After downloading TotalAV, install it on your system by running the .exe file you downloaded.

Step 2: Run the Malware Removal Tool

First, open TotalAV from your desktop and wait for it to startup.

Now, click on Scan Now to run a full system scan.

Lastly, follow the on-screen prompts to remove malware and other malicious files and programs on your system, such as the Lavasoft Web Companion and its associated program files.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Check your web browser for unwanted search engines and homepages associated with Adaware Web Companion. Observe if any unwanted applications would still get installed on your computer after running the malware removal tool.

Manually Uninstall Web Companion Viruses and Unwanted Programs Using the Control Panel

Step 1: Go to Programs and Features

First, open the Start Menu and look for the Control Panel.

Click on Open.

Now, click on Programs.

Lastly, click on Uninstall a Program.

Step 2: Uninstall Unwanted Programs

Locate the Adaware Web Companion program and other installed apps from the list you don’t recall installing.

Now, right-click on the installed Web Companion program or other PUA/potentially unwanted program.

Click on Uninstall to remove Web Companion software from your system.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Go back to your browser and check if all associated programs with Web Companion, your homepage, and your search engine are back to normal.

Remove Web Companion Unwanted Extensions on Your Browser

Refer to the guide below to remove extensions and add-ons from your browser.

For Google Chrome:

Step 1: Remove Unwanted Extensions

First, open Google Chrome and go to its setting.

Click on Extensions from the side menu on the current web browser.

Delete the Web Companion browser extensions you don’t use or recall installing.

Step 2: Reset Your Browser (Optional)

Go to Google Chrome’s settings page again.

Scroll down and click on Advanced.

Click on ‘Restore Settings to their Original Defaults.’

Click the Reset Settings button to proceed.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Go back to your browser and check if all changes made by Web Companion have been undone and your original homepage and search engine are restored.

For Mozilla Firefox:

Step 1: Remove the Web Companion Add-on and other Add-ons

First, open Firefox and click on the Menu button.

Select Add-ons and click the Extensions tab.

Locate the Web Companion add-on unwanted or malicious add-ons and delete them.

Step 2: Refresh Firefox

Open the Firefox menu and click on Help.

Now, open Troubleshooting Information.

Click on Refresh Firefox and follow the on-screen prompts.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Go back to Firefox’s main page and check if the settings changed by Ad-aware Web Companions, such as your default home and search engine, are restored.

For Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer:

Step 1: Remove the Ad-aware Web Companion Extension and Other Unwanted Extensions

First, open Edge/Internet Explorer and click on the Menu button.

Now, click on Extensions.

Delete the browser extensions you don’t recall installing or using.

Step 2: Reset Your Settings

Click on the Menu button on Microsoft Edge and open Settings.

Go to the Reset Settings tab.

Click on Restore Settings to their Default Values and follow the on-screen prompts to reset your browser settings.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Try using Microsoft Edge and observe if you would still be redirected to a random homepage and search engine.

For Safari:

Step 1: Disable Lavasoft Web Companion Browser Extensions

First, open Safari on your computer.

Now, click on Safari from the menu bar and open the Preferences tab.

Go to the Extensions tab and delete unwanted and malicious extensions.

Step 2: Clear Your Browsing Data

Click on Safari from the top navigation bar and select Clear History and Website Data.

Change the target range to All History.

Hit the Clear History button to proceed.

Step 3: Problem Solved

Go back to Safari and see if your browser would still redirect you to Bing, Yandex, or other search engines you don’t use.

Frequently Asked Questions