What is GoWebSearch
GoWebSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is a type of software whose motive is to earn profit for its developer. It have different ways of earning by showing the ads forcibly to its victims. Adware can open popup windows, display unsolicited advertisements, change the victim’s internet browser settings, or reroute the victim’s browser to unwanted webpages. Aside from causing unwanted advertisements and browser redirects, it also can slow down the Apple Mac.
Unwanted ads
Another reason why you need to delete adware software is its online data-tracking activity. Adware be able to gather a wide variety of marketing-type data about you (your ip address, what is a webpage you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Net, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.
If you want to remove the GoWebSearch adware, you will not succeed, because it is very stubborn. But with the help of the following guide, you surely can get rid of GoWebSearch completely from your computer.
How does GoWebSearch get on your MAC
Many of the free software out there install undesired internet browser toolbars, hijacker infections, adware and potentially unwanted software along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing freeware in order to avoid accidentally installing third-party programs. It’s important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and choose the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation method as it will typically disclose what optional programs will also be installed.
Threat Summary
| Name | GoWebSearch, GoWebSearch app/extension |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popups, popup virus, popup ads |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | GoWebSearch removal guide |
How to Remove GoWebSearch adware
The answer is right here on this web-page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to free your MAC OS of GoWebSearch adware. Moreover, you can choose manual or automatic removal solution. If you are familiar with the machine then use manual removal, otherwise run the free anti-malware tool created specifically to remove adware software. Of course, you may combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your browser or restart your MAC OS.
To remove GoWebSearch, follow the steps below:
- How to get rid of GoWebSearch adware without any software
- Automatic Removal of GoWebSearch adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to get rid of GoWebSearch adware without any software
The most common adware software can be uninstalled manually, without the use of antivirus or other removal utilities. The manual steps below will guide you through how to remove GoWebSearch step by step. Although each of the steps is easy and does not require special knowledge, but you doubt that you can finish them, then use the free utilities, a list of which is given below.
Remove GoWebSearch related applications through the Finder
First, you should try to identify and remove the program that causes the appearance of undesired advertisements or web-browser redirect, using the ‘Applications’ list that located in the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most likely, one of them is the GoWebSearch adware or a related app. If you’ve many apps installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful apps by sort the list by date of installation.
Once you’ve found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and select “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Don’t forget, choose Finder -> “Empty Trash”.
Remove GoWebSearch adware from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings will allow you to completely reset your browser. The result of activating this function will bring Chrome settings back to its default values. This can remove GoWebSearch ads disable malicious add-ons. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
- First start the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this task is finished, your web-browser’s home page, newtab and search engine by default will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove GoWebSearch from Mozilla Firefox
This step will allow you remove GoWebSearch ads, third-party toolbars, disable harmful addons and restore your default start page, new tab and search provider settings.
Run the Mozilla Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web-browser screen. Next, click 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’re 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 shown below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Firefox will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the GoWebSearch adware software. Once, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Delete GoWebSearch adware from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your internet browser, which installed by an malware.
Run Safari browser. Next, choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will block some types of pop-ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for dubious extensions on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all dubious plugins from Safari.
Once complete, check your startpage and search engine settings. Click “General” icon. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search engine. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Automatic Removal of GoWebSearch adware
Using a malicious software removal utility to detect and remove adware hiding on your machine is probably the easiest way to get rid of the GoWebSearch adware. We recommends the MalwareBytes Free tool for Apple Mac Apple Macs. It is the antimalware application for Mac OS that offers a free malicious software removal.
How to automatically remove GoWebSearch with MalwareBytes Free
We recommend using the MalwareBytes Free which are completely clean your Apple Mac of the adware. This free utility is an advanced malware removal program created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It is able to help you delete GoWebSearch ads from your web-browsers, potentially unwanted software, malware, browser hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your MAC for free.
Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
20851 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the downloading process is finished, close all apps and windows on your computer. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the GoWebSearch adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
Once MalwareBytes Free has finished scanning, a list of all items found is prepared. Review the scan results and then press “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will remove GoWebSearch adware and move the selected threats to the Quarantine.
How to stay safe online
By installing an ad blocking application like AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious web sites, stop autoplaying video ads and remove a large amount of distracting and intrusive ads on web pages.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
When downloading is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you launch your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired pop-up ads, block harmful and misleading web-sites.
Finish words
Now your MAC should be free of the GoWebSearch adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up ads and intrusive malicious web-pages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adwares and other malicious software).
If you are still having problems while trying to remove GoWebSearch ads from the Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome, then ask for help here here.
