What is Search.webalta.ru?
Search.webalta.ru may look like a regular search engine that can help you find something you need. However, our security experts say that this program is actually a browser hijacker, and it means that it has been created to make some easy money. Luckily, a browser hijacker is not sophisticated enough to ever steal your banking logins and passwords, so you do not need to worry about that. The thing you need to focus on is removing Search.webalta.ru from your computer and then protecting your system from other potential threats. The problem is that this browser hijacker may be just one of the many threats that are present on your system.
Where does Search.webalta.ru come from?
There is a webalta.ru homepage that looks like a news portal with lots of commercial ads. It would appear that users can add the search engine to their browsers from this website. But we do not think that this is something users would want to do willingly. Browser hijackers have many other ways to reach their targets, and it is a lot more likely that Search.webalta.ru entered your computer using the most common methods of freeware distribution.
That is to say, the browser hijacker must have entered your system in a software package. This program does not even need to trick you into installing it because users click the Install button themselves. Why does that happen? It is because users think they are installing some other program instead. When there are several applications included in the same installer, they often fail to notice the additional apps that are added to their systems at the same time. It also means that you could avoid adding this browser hijacker to your browser if you were more attentive when you install freeware on your computer. What’s more, it would be for the best to avoid downloading programs from third-party sources because you can never know what additional apps might come with them.
What does Search.webalta.ru do?
This browser hijacker may manifest itself differently depending on which browser you use. So far, it seems that the program affects the Internet Explorer browser the most because not only does it change your default homepage, it also adds a toolbar to that browser. While when the browser hijacker tries to do the same on Firefox, the browser blocks the new extension because of security reasons. This fact alone shows that there is nothing reliable about Search.webalta.ru, even though the browser hijacker may try to make you think that it can provide you with something useful.
Of course, if you are not used to battling such applications, you may think that Search.webalta.ru is just another upgrade to your search engine. Not to mention that there are a lot of additional links and shortcuts on its homepage. For instance, you can check the schedule for the most popular Russian TV programs, there is also a currency rate section, shortcuts to VK, YouTube, Facebook, and many other popular social websites. So it would seem that Search.webalta.ru offers you a full palette of online services, but this variety also overshadows the side effects of having a browser hijacker on your computer.
The problem is that Search.webalta.ru can collect information on your web browsing habits via tracking cookies. Consequently, it can, later on, be used to generate an online profile that will allow third parties to promote commercial content for you via this search engine. The advertisements below the search bar on the main page may change according to your web browsing history, your likes, and preferences. However, it goes without saying that you should never click anything that is promoted by this browser hijacker because you might be redirected to dangerous websites and other suspicious third parties.
How do I remove Search.webalta.ru?
It is not hard to remove this infection from your system, but it might get tricky when you focus on other potentially suspicious applications that you will definitely need to delete. Therefore, to ensure that your computer is completely safe and clean, you should invest in a licensed antispyware program. It will help you terminate all the malicious files associated with Search.webalta.ru, and it will also protect your PC from similar intruders in the future.
Manual Search.webalta.ru Removal
- Press Win+R and the Run prompt will open.
- Type %AppData% into the Open box and click OK.
- Delete the WebAlta folder and press Win+R again.
- Type %LocalAppData% and press OK.
- Remove Webalta Toolbar.
Restore Internet Explorer settings
- Press Win+R and type regedit. Click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
- On the right pane, right-click the Start Page value.
- Select Modify and change your homepage address.
- Click OK and exit Registry Editor.
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