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Web Watch Adware

Also Known As: Ads by Web Watch
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Web Watch?

Created by Surf Island Solutions, Web Watch is a rogue browser plug-in claiming to allow users to monitor parties who may be tracking their Internet browsing activity.

Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Web Watch is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware, since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Web Watch delivers intrusive online advertisements such as banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, interstitial, and text ads. There is a high probability that clicking advertisements generated by Web Watch will lead to further high-risk adware or malware infections.

Web Watch adware

Furthermore, Web Watch continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, operating systems, device identifiers, browser types and data (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, cookies, and browsing history), geographic locations, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

This behavior can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. There are many rogue applications similar to Web Watch. 

Safe Web, Email Tracker, and SensePlus are just some examples. Neither Web Watch, nor any of these other applications, provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall Web Watch from your system.

Close examination of Web Watch reveals that it is mostly distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, etc.

Download managers are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware frequently results in adware or malware infections.

To prevent installation of Web Watch, or other additional programs, be attentive when downloading free software and never accept installation of any additional programs offered. Additionally, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.

If you have installed Web Watch, and you observe intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, read the removal instructions provided and eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

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Quick menu:

Web Watch adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Web Watch adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Web Watch", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Web Watch ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Web Watch adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logo Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Web Watch ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Web Watch", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Web Watch ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by web watch, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Web Watch ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Web Watch", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing Web Watch ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by web watch, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Web Watch ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add- ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Web Watch".

Removing Web Watch ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by web watch removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by web watch, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Web Watch QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Web Watch on your mobile device.
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