What is DataQuest?
DataQuest is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the Adware family. Adware presents unwanted advertisements on the web-browser. Some of these advertisements are scams or fake ads designed to trick you. Even the harmless ads can become really irritating.
Unwanted ads
Even worse, adware can be used to collect lots of privacy data about you to get profit. Adware software can analyze your browsing, and gain access to your privacy information and, later, can transfer it to third parties. Thus, there are more than enough reasons to remove adware software from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | DataQuest |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-ups, pop-up virus, popup ads |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | DataQuest removal guide |
How does Adware get on your computer
Adware can be installed unintentionally and without you knowing about it, when you open email attachments. But usually, adware gets into your computer as part of a bundle with free software, sharing files and other unsafe programs which you downloaded from the World Wide Web. The authors of adware pays software developers for distributing adware within their programs. So, additional applications is often included as part of the installation package. In order to avoid the installation of any adware: select only Manual, Custom or Advanced setup method and disable all third-party programs in which you are unsure.
Thus, DataQuest is quite dangerous. So, we suggest you remove it from your personal computer as quickly as possible. Follow the guidance presented below to remove DataQuest ads from the Firefox, IE, Google Chrome and MS Edge.
Remove DataQuest adware
The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to clean your MAC OS of DataQuest adware. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal solution. If you’re familiar with the MAC then use manual removal, otherwise use the free antimalware utility made specifically to get rid of adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Some of the steps below will require you to close this webpage. So, please read the steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove DataQuest, execute the steps below:
- How to remove DataQuest adware without any software
- Automatic Removal of DataQuest adware
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to remove DataQuest adware without any software
In most cases, it is possible to manually remove DataQuest adware. This method does not involve the use of any tricks or removal utilities. You just need to restore the normal settings of the MAC and internet browser. This can be done by following a few simple steps below. If you want to quickly remove DataQuest adware, as well as perform a full scan of your MAC, we recommend that you run adware removal tools, which are listed below.
Uninstall potentially unwanted apps using the Finder
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your machine installed programs screen and look for undesired and dubious applications. If there are any programs you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should uninstall them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run adware removal tool such as MalwareBytes Free.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will display a list of all programs installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and delete any questionable and unknown apps. Right click to suspicious program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove DataQuest adware software from Google Chrome
Another method to get rid of DataQuest ads from Google Chrome is Reset Chrome settings. This will disable harmful add-ons and reset Chrome settings to original state. It will save your personal information like saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
- First start the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will show the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will display the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is done, your web browser’s newtab, home page and search provider will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove DataQuest from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your internet browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your web-browser, which installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious add-ons on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown add-ons from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Delete DataQuest adware from Mozilla Firefox
Resetting Firefox browser will reset all the settings to their default state and will remove DataQuest adware software, malicious add-ons and extensions. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
Launch the Mozilla Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web browser screen. Next, press the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed on the image below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the DataQuest adware software. When, it is finished, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of DataQuest adware
Is your Mac OS MAC OS infected by adware? Then don’t worry, in the following instructions, we are sharing best malicious software removal utilities which can remove DataQuest adware from the Firefox, Chrome and Safari and your machine.
How to get rid of DataQuest with MalwareBytes Free
We recommend using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) that are fully clean your MAC OS of the adware. This free utility is an advanced malicious software removal application made by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It is able to help you delete unwanted DataQuest from your web-browsers, potentially unwanted apps, malware, browser hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your MAC for free.
Click the link below to download MalwareBytes.
20992 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After the download is finished, close all windows on your machine. Further, open the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will automatically launch and you can see its main window as displayed below.
Next, click the “Scan Now” button to start checking your computer for the DataQuest adware software. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is finished.
Once finished, MalwareBytes will show you the results. All found threats will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes Free will remove DataQuest adware and add items to the Quarantine.
How to stay safe online
We suggest to install an ad blocking application. The adblocker utility such as AdGuard is a program that basically removes advertising from the World Wide Web and blocks access to malicious web-sites. Moreover, security experts says that using ad blocking apps is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Internet.
- Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.
AdGuard for Mac download
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- After downloading is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful or misleading webpages.
To sum up
After completing the instructions above, your Apple Mac should be clean from DataQuest adware and other malware. The Safari, Firefox and Chrome will no longer show unwanted DataQuest ads when you browse the Internet. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step guide does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with DataQuest .
