Q: Can malware infect a smartphone?

Yes, malware can infect a smartphone. Android phones are susceptible to malicious apps containing viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. iOS phones are at less risk than Android, but you can still visit websites that steal your data, including your financial information and passwords. That’s why it’s important to have a good antivirus app running. Norton is a great choice — it has tons of features for iOS and Android that can keep your device protected in 2023.

Q: Can malware be installed on Android?

Yes, hackers can install malware on your Android device, which can cause various problems, such as slowing your device down, compromising your data, and even stopping your device from working. Most of this malware is accidentally installed when you download malicious .APK files from outside the Google Play Store, but you can also download compromised files from your email or by visiting dangerous websites. You should never open any emails you don’t trust or download apps from outside the Google Play Store. However, if you’re tech-savvy and want to download third-party apps, remember to always have a good antivirus app , such as Norton , running in the background.

Q: Does changing my password stop hackers?

Changing your password can stop hackers, but it’s crucial to change your password to a strong and unique password. Simply altering a weak or easily guessable password or creating another easily guessable password won’t provide effective protection. By utilizing a secure password manager like 1Password , however, you can generate complex passwords that are resistant to brute-force attacks. These password managers also offer the convenience of securely storing and auto-filling your passwords across various platforms. Regularly changing passwords, coupled with strong password practices and multi-factor authentication, significantly strengthens your defenses against hacking attempts and enhances your overall online security.

Q: Why are strong passwords important?

Strong passwords are important for several reasons. Firstly, they help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts and protect your sensitive information. With a strong password, it becomes significantly harder for hackers to crack or guess your password through brute-force attacks. Secondly, strong passwords can mitigate the impact of data breaches. If your password is weak, it can be easily compromised, putting your personal data at risk. By using a strong and unique password for each account, you reduce the likelihood of multiple accounts being compromised. Lastly, strong passwords are a crucial part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, alongside measures like two-factor authentication, to enhance overall online security.

Q: How does malware infect Windows computers?

There are several different forms of malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and rootkits, but they all have one thing in common: the majority of malware can’t run on your computer without your permission. Malware tries to trick you with deceptive downloads, pop-up windows, and malicious web scripts, but if you don’t download and run malware, it’s very hard to hack your computer. If you see a pop-up notification, look closely — does Windows really need you to download an update, or is this a deceptive pop-up trying to put malware on your device? Fake updates and software notifications are commonly used by hackers to invade unsuspecting Windows users. In general, you need to be very careful about what content you’re accessing online .

Question 1

Can malware infect a smartphone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, malware can infect a smartphone. Android phones are susceptible to malicious apps containing viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. iOS phones are at less risk than Android, but you can still visit websites that steal your data, including your financial information and passwords.

That’s why it’s important to have a good antivirus app running. Norton is a great choice — it has tons of features for iOS and Android that can keep your device protected in 2023.

Question 2

Can malware be installed on Android?

Accepted Answer

Yes, hackers can install malware on your Android device, which can cause various problems, such as slowing your device down, compromising your data, and even stopping your device from working. Most of this malware is accidentally installed when you download malicious .APK files from outside the Google Play Store, but you can also download compromised files from your email or by visiting dangerous websites.

You should never open any emails you don’t trust or download apps from outside the Google Play Store. However, if you’re tech-savvy and want to download third-party apps, remember to always have a good antivirus app, such as Norton, running in the background.

Question 3

Can malware be installed on iOS?

Accepted Answer

You can’t get malware on iOS, but that doesn’t mean iOS users are completely safe. You can still visit dangerous websites, be victim to network attacks, have your data stolen, or have your online accounts breached.

Since iOS devices can’t get malware and Apple doesn’t allow security apps to perform virus scans, iOS antiviruses don’t include a malware scanner. However, antivirus apps on iOS come with various other features that protect your device from security threats. For example, Norton Mobile Security comes with excellent web protections and dark web monitoring, which alerts you if it finds any of your personal information on the dark web.

Question 4

What happens if you get malware on your phone?

Accepted Answer

If you get malware on your phone, various things can happen. Your phone may run more slowly than usual, you may be issued annoying ads, or you may have apps you don’t recognize appear on your home screen. Cybercriminals may also be stealing your data — which can include your financial information, social insurance number, and more.

Therefore, if you get malware on your smartphone, you should remove it immediately. Follow our above steps which will take you through how to remove malware from smartphones using an antivirus program such as Norton.

Question 5

How do you prevent mobile malware?

Accepted Answer

To prevent mobile malware, you need to adopt proactive security measures. For example, install a reputable antivirus application and only download apps from trusted sources. Additionally, exercise caution when clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders, and keep your device’s operating system and applications up to date. You can follow our above steps for a more in-depth guide on how to do this — but honestly, it comes down to just being vigilant and careful online once you’ve got a good antivirus program installed.

Question 6

How many times has my password been hacked?

Accepted Answer

To determine how many times your password has been compromised, use a dark web scanner like the one included in Norton’s security suite. These scanners search the dark web for leaked databases and breached accounts, providing valuable insights into the security of your passwords. By inputting your email address into the scanner, it cross-references it against known breaches and informs you if your password has been compromised in any of those incidents (and sometimes how many times it’s been compromised). This proactive approach allows you to assess the vulnerability of your passwords and take necessary actions such as changing compromised passwords and adopting stronger security measures to protect your online accounts.

Question 7

Does changing my password stop hackers?

Accepted Answer

Changing your password can stop hackers, but it’s crucial to change your password to a strong and unique password. Simply altering a weak or easily guessable password or creating another easily guessable password won’t provide effective protection. By utilizing a secure password manager like 1Password, however, you can generate complex passwords that are resistant to brute-force attacks. These password managers also offer the convenience of securely storing and auto-filling your passwords across various platforms.

Regularly changing passwords, coupled with strong password practices and multi-factor authentication, significantly strengthens your defenses against hacking attempts and enhances your overall online security.

Question 8

What is the least common password?

Accepted Answer

The least common password is one generated by a password manager like Dashlane, incorporating a mix of numbers, letters, symbols, and special characters.

These password managers generate highly unique and random passwords that are rarely used by individuals. By avoiding commonly used words or patterns, password managers create robust and secure passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess or crack. These passwords typically consist of a long string of characters, making them significantly more resilient against brute-force attacks or dictionary-based hacking attempts. Embracing the strength of password managers helps ensure stronger and more secure online accounts.

Question 9

Why are strong passwords important?

Accepted Answer

Strong passwords are important for several reasons. Firstly, they help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts and protect your sensitive information. With a strong password, it becomes significantly harder for hackers to crack or guess your password through brute-force attacks.

Secondly, strong passwords can mitigate the impact of data breaches. If your password is weak, it can be easily compromised, putting your personal data at risk. By using a strong and unique password for each account, you reduce the likelihood of multiple accounts being compromised.

Lastly, strong passwords are a crucial part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, alongside measures like two-factor authentication, to enhance overall online security.

Question 10

How does malware infect Windows computers?

Accepted Answer

There are several different forms of malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and rootkits, but they all have one thing in common: the majority of malware can’t run on your computer without your permission.

Malware tries to trick you with deceptive downloads, pop-up windows, and malicious web scripts, but if you don’t download and run malware, it’s very hard to hack your computer.

If you see a pop-up notification, look closely — does Windows really need you to download an update, or is this a deceptive pop-up trying to put malware on your device? Fake updates and software notifications are commonly used by hackers to invade unsuspecting Windows users.

In general, you need to be very careful about what content you’re accessing online.

Question 11

Does Windows 10 include every security feature I need?

Accepted Answer

Windows 10 has better security features than any of its predecessors — but it’s far from perfect.

While Microsoft’s Bitlocker feature is a really good device encryption tool, Windows Defender doesn’t rank as high in malware detection as most premium Windows 10 antivirus programs.

Plus, antivirus suites include other essential security protections that Windows doesn’t provide — encrypted VPNs, 2FA-enabled password managers, disk drive optimization tools, and high-performance parental controls. Windows Defender only scans for malware.

I use Norton 360 on my PC — it includes all of the above-mentioned features and a substantially better anti-malware engine than Windows Defender.

Question 12

Will security add-ons slow my computer down?

Accepted Answer

There is always a tradeoff between security and performance, but if you’re smart about what kind of security tools you use, you won’t need to sacrifice performance to get high-quality security.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The best VPNs will only slow down your internet connection between 10-30%. You’ll still be able to stream HD video, download and upload files, and make video calls.
Antivirus software. Cloud-based scanners like Avira won’t slow down your system during scans, and most antivirus programs are designed to have a minimal CPU impact. “Quiet modes” keep your antivirus from interrupting gaming, movies, and other full-screen apps.
Device encryption. Device encryption may create a small amount of slowdown, but you won’t notice it. Most computers have AES encryption built into the hardware, which saves a lot of CPU strain.
Password manager. Password managers are lightweight programs and don’t use a lot of processing power. Most password managers use encrypted cloud storage to store your passwords and data, which keeps them from taking up disk space.
Firewall. Firewalls are 100% essential for anybody using the internet, and they have a negligible effect on connection speed.
Ad blockers. Ad blockers actually increase your browsing speed because they save your computer the hassle of loading and playing advertisements.

Question 13

How much does this cybersecurity stuff cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends. If you’re on a budget, you can get decent protection for free, but if you’re serious about keeping your computer safe, there are a lot of low-cost, high performance cybersecurity tools out there:

Antivirus software. Norton 360 is my favorite antivirus for Windows. It comes with perfect malware detection rates, a secure password manager, a fast VPN, and many other things.
Password manager. 1Password is the most secure and efficient password manager on the market, and it also comes with some pretty unique features like a cool travel mode.
VPN. Antivirus packages like Norton include a VPN, but there are plenty of standalone VPNs that offer unique features that antivirus-bundled VPNs simply don’t provide.

Some people think cybersecurity add-ons aren’t worth the money — until they get hacked. Protect your PC before that happens! It’s not a lot of money!

Question 14

Can you donate to the Ukrainian military?

Accepted Answer

It’s not possible to donate directly to the Ukrainian military, but there are various organizations and initiatives that provide support to the military and its personnel. These organizations focus on delivering humanitarian aid, medical assistance, equipment, and other resources to help Ukraine’s armed forces. By donating to these organizations, you can indirectly contribute to the support and well-being of Ukraine’s military and its personnel.

However, it is crucial to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy and transparency of any organization before making a donation. Look for well-established organizations that have a proven track record of supporting Ukraine’s military and have transparent financial practices. Additionally, consider reaching out to local Ukrainian embassies or government offices to inquire about specific ways to contribute or support the military efforts.

Question 15

Are Ukraine donations tax deductible?

Accepted Answer

Whether Ukraine donations are tax deductible or not varies depending on your location. For instance, if you’re living in the USA, tax-deductible charitable contributions are generally limited to donations made to the U.S.-based charitable organizations. Direct donations to individuals or non-U.S.-based charities are usually not eligible for tax deductions. That said, if you’re not sure, it’s worth checking with your financial institution or local tax service.

Question 16

Which Ukraine charity should I donate to?

Accepted Answer

When donating to Ukraine, there are various charities to support to make a meaningful donation. You can contribute to Ukrainian businesses, which play a crucial role in the country’s economy. Donations to the military can help provide resources and support for their efforts. NGOs in Ukraine work tirelessly to address social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. Supporting animal welfare organizations in Ukraine can make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. Lastly, worldwide organizations involved in Ukraine offer broad-reaching assistance and aid to the country.

Question 17

Is IDP.Alexa.51 a virus?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, IDP.Alexa.51 is a false positive shown in Avira, Avast, and AVG and not a virus. It commonly appears as a warning after installing flash games (such as Plants vs. Zombies). However, you should still be careful — some generic virus detection notifications like IDP.Alexa.51 pop up because you have malware on your device.

If IDP.Alexa.51 appears on your system; you should take precautions and follow our steps to scan your system for malware.

Question 18

What does IDP.Alexa.51 do?

Accepted Answer

IDP.Alexa.51 is a generic threat name given to a process acting similar to malware — so its effects on your PC can vary. If it’s a false positive, the only noticeable symptom will be your antivirus blocking the associated application until you whitelist it.

However, if IDP.Alexa.51 is a genuine malware infection, you may notice a slowdown on your PC. You’re also at risk of having your personal files stolen and modified. But you shouldn’t wait until you see these symptoms. If you suspect you have a malware infection, you should get a second opinion using a comprehensive malware scanner such as Norton or Bitdefender and take action.

Question 19

How to remove IDP.Alexa.51?

Accepted Answer

To remove the IDP.Alexa.51 threat notification, you need to first determine if it’s a false positive or not. The best way to determine if IDP.Alexa.51 is a false positive or a virus is to use a reliable antivirus to get a second opinion — I recommend Norton or Bitdefender. First, uninstall the antivirus (Avast, AVG, or Avira) giving the IDP.Alexa.51 warning so it doesn’t interfere with Norton or Bitdefender’s scanner. Then, install Norton or Bitdefender and initiate a full disk scan. If the antivirus registers the file showing the IDP.Alexa.51 warning, you have a malware infection and you need to remove it.

However, if the second opinion antivirus doesn’t detect malware with its scan, then it’s safe to say that your first antivirus scanner detected a false positive, so you can reinstall your original antivirus and whitelist the false positive (or get a different antivirus program).

Question 20

How bad is the Chromium Virus?

Accepted Answer

The Chromium virus can steal your data, and it can also redirect you to sites that contain dangerous downloads — such as trojans, rootkits, computer worms, ransomware, and more. If you need help detecting malware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) in real-time, you should install a decent antivirus with real-time protection, like Norton or Intego.

Question 21

Why Is Chromium installed by itself?

Accepted Answer

If Chromium has installed by itself, chances are you’ve downloaded a potentially unwanted program with a malicious version of Chromium attached to it. If this is the case, it’s likely your computer has been infected with the Chromium virus and other, more dangerous types of malware.

You should follow our steps to safely uninstall Chromium and run a full disk scan on your computer using a comprehensive antivirus scanner (Norton is the best Windows antivirus, whereas Intego is the best antivirus for Mac).

Question 22

How to uninstall the Chromium virus?

Accepted Answer

While the Chromium virus can be pretty dangerous, it’s pretty easy to remove it from your computer. However, uninstalling the Chromium virus is different on different operating systems. Click here to learn how to uninstall it from Windows (10, 8, and 7) and macOS.

Also, once you’ve uninstalled Chromium from your device, you need to run a full system scan of your computer to make sure it’s not infected with other types of malware. My favorite Windows antivirus is Norton, whereas I recommend Intego for Mac users.

Question 23

Is the WebDiscover Browser a virus?

Accepted Answer

The WebDiscover Browser isn’t a virus and won’t damage your PC, but it is a privacy-violating and potentially dangerous piece of spyware. Not only does the WebDiscover Browser clutter your desktop with pop-ups and annoying toolbars, but it also collects and shares all of your browsing data with anonymous third parties — if it’s on your system, you need to get rid of it.

The WebDiscover Browser is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is usually bundled with free downloads (or forced onto your computer by sketchy websites). If you have the WebDiscover Browser on your device, it’s very likely that your system has other malware files on it as well — you should run a full disk scan on your PC using a comprehensive anti-malware scanner such as Norton. Follow our steps above to learn how to do this.

Question 24

Is the WebDiscover Browser safe?

Accepted Answer

No, the WebDiscover Browser collects and sells your browsing data, installs spyware on your device, and its search engine can link you to sketchy websites.

You should uninstall the WebDiscover browser if it appears on your system and scan your PC for malware with a good antivirus program like Norton. If you’re looking for a top-quality web browser, check out our top 10 list of 2023’s most secure web browsers.

Question 25

How did the WebDiscover Browser get on my computer?

Accepted Answer

If the WebDiscover Browser has mysteriously appeared on your computer, it was probably bundled with pirated files or downloads from an unsafe source. Unethical websites get paid to bundle spyware and adware files like the WebDiscover Browser with files that users want, like movie torrents, pirated software, and other free/illegal downloads. Fortunately, it’s usually pretty easy to uninstall WebDiscover Browser from your PC.

A good way to stay secure online and stop PUPs like the WebDiscover Browser from installing onto your computer without your knowledge is to use a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton or Bitdefender — these programs include real-time malware scanners that flag and block malware files and PUPs from running on your device as well as a wide range of other internet security tools, like anti-phishing protection, a virtual private network (VPN), and much more.

Question 26

What is ByteFence Secure Browsing?

Accepted Answer

ByteFence Secure Browsing is a PUP that will steal your data and change your default search settings. It sells itself as a safe search engine, but you shouldn’t trust it. Instead of providing extra security while you browse the web, ByteFence Secure Browsing redirects you to suspicious websites and profits from your search history by tracking your data and sending you targeted ads. If you want a secure browser extension, I recommend using Norton’s Safe Web browser extension.

Question 27

Is ByteFence Secure Browsing safe to use?

Accepted Answer

No, ByteFence Secure Browsing steals your data and uses this information to spam you with annoying ads and pop-ups. You should never download ByteFence Secure Browsing, but if you do (or add it by accident), follow these steps to remove it from your device.

Question 28

Why is ByteFence Secure Browsing not uninstalling?

Accepted Answer

ByteFence Secure Browsing can’t be uninstalled through the Windows 10 control panel. Since ByteFence utilizes a web browser extension, you will have to uninstall it through your web browser following our steps that are outlined above.

Once you’ve uninstalled ByteFence Secure Browsing, you need to run a full-disk virus scan with a comprehensive antivirus like Norton 360 to make sure you don’t have any further infections. You can purchase Norton 360, run the full scan, delete any malware files the scan detects, and then request a full refund with Norton’s 60-day money-back guarantee.

Question 29

What is Mindspark toolbar?

Accepted Answer

Mindspark toolbar is an adware application and browser extension that changes your search results, alters your homepage and search engine, and steals your browsing data. Mindspark toolbar can also inject sponsored results into search engine results and show annoying advertisements while you browse the web.

If you’ve downloaded Mindspark toolbar by accident, chances are you have more malware infections on your computer that you must remove. First, you should uninstall the Mindspark toolbar. Then, run a full system scan using a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton.

Question 30

Is Mindspark toolbar a virus?

Accepted Answer

Mindspark toolbar isn’t a virus. However, it can be classified as both a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. Mindspark toolbar won’t damage your computer, but it will steal your browsing data, change your search results, clutter your computer with pop-ups, and redirect you to unsafe websites.

If you’ve been infected with an adware file like Mindspark, chances are you have more PUPs and malware files on your system — like trojans, rootkits, or computer worms. So, you should follow our steps to secure your computer from future threats. The most important way to keep your browser and desktop free from malware infection is to download a high-quality antivirus program like Norton 360, which can detect and remove every type of malware in real-time with its advanced antivirus scanner.

Question 31

How does Mindspark get installed?

Accepted Answer

PUPS such as Mindspark toolbar are often bundled alongside other freeware applications, pirated content, and malicious programs. Mindspark victims are usually tricked into installing the toolbar themselves when they think they’re getting cool free programs and pirated media. Fortunately, once you realize you’ve been compromised, it’s pretty easy to uninstall Mindspark.

To avoid installing adware like Mindspark toolbar and other malware in the future, never download any files or click on links from untrustworthy sites. To be honest, you should never download anything on your computer without having a trustworthy antivirus package (such as Norton). Norton’s real-time protection tool can intercept dangerous downloads containing PUPs such as Mindspark toolbar and stop you from installing them on your computer.

Question 32

Is SlimCleaner Plus a Microsoft product?

Accepted Answer

No, SlimCleaner Plus is not a Microsoft product, nor is it affiliated with Microsoft. It is a well-known PUP (potentially unwanted program) and it is best avoided. If you are looking for a quality PC optimization tool, there are plenty of other reputable products on the market, such as TotalAV.

If SlimCleaner Plus has suddenly appeared on your PC, it likely came bundled with another freeware application you downloaded. You should follow our steps to uninstall it and then use a secure antivirus program like Norton to check if your PC is free from any further malware.

Question 33

Is SlimCleaner Plus safe?

Accepted Answer

SlimCleaner Plus is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) designed to harvest user data and trick users into paying a costly subscription. Although it won’t cause damage to your PC, it won’t do it any good either, and it’s usually bundled with other PUPs.

If you’ve installed it without realizing, you may have been infected by more dangerous malware too. You should follow our steps to uninstall SlimCleaner Plus and check whether your PC has any infections. If you don’t yet have an antivirus, you should consider a product that also comes bundled with quality system cleanup tools, like Norton, TotalAV, or Avira.

Question 34

Is SlimCleaner Plus malware?

Accepted Answer

SlimCleaner Plus is classified as a PUP (potentially unwanted program), so it’s not exactly malware. PUPs often come bundled with freeware downloads and pirated content, meaning they usually download onto your computer without your knowledge or express approval.

Usually, PUPs claim to have a legitimate function. For example, SlimCleaner Plus claims to optimize your PC — but in reality, it just runs fake scans that generate fake results, and then tries to persuade you to pay a subscription to fix the issues. Essentially, PUPs are little more than malicious downloads that steal your data and attempt to scam you into paying money.

Click here to learn more about what to do if you suspect your PC has been infected with SlimCleaner Plus.

Question 35

How to remove SlimCleaner Plus?

Accepted Answer

Removing SlimCleaner Plus is easy. All you have to do is uninstall it via your Windows control panel. We have outlined the steps on how to do this above — depending on what version of Windows you’re using:

Uninstall SlimCleaner Plus on Windows 11.
Uninstall SlimCleaner Plus on Windows 10.
Uninstall SlimCleaner Plus on Windows 8.
Uninstall SlimCleaner Plus on Windows 7.

However, once you’ve finished uninstalling SlimCleaner Plus, you should also run a full disk scan with a reliable antivirus like Norton 360. This is because PUPs like SlimCleaner Plus usually come packaged with other malware. So if you have SlimCleaner Plus on your PC, there’s a good chance your PC is infected with other more dangerous malware threats too.

Question 36

What is Advanced Mac Cleaner and is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Advanced Mac Cleaner is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that targets macOS. Advanced Mac Cleaner is not safe, and you should uninstall it if it appears on your device. While it won’t damage your Mac, it’s not a good system cleanup tool. It’s designed to steal your data and try to scam you into buying a subscription.

To uninstall Advanced Mac Cleaner, you should follow our steps. We also recommend scanning your computer using a secure antivirus like Intego. If you have PUPs on your system, you could also be infected with more dangerous malware.

Question 37

Is Advanced Mac Cleaner an Apple product?

Accepted Answer

Advanced Mac Cleaner is not an Apple product. It’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that usually comes attached to freeware or pirated content. If Advanced Mac Cleaner appears on your Mac, you need to uninstall it, then scan your computer using a secure, Mac-based antivirus — we recommend Intego.

Question 38

How do you remove Advanced Mac Cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Removing Advanced Mac Cleaner is easy — just uninstall it through your Finder menu. You can follow our steps above for uninstalling Advanced Mac Cleaner. However, even with Advanced Mac Cleaner uninstalled, it’s likely you have other PUPs infecting your Mac. We recommend installing a secure antivirus like Intego and scanning your computer for further malware.

Question 39

How do I know if a URL is malicious?

Accepted Answer

It’s difficult to check whether a URL is malicious just by looking at it. The lock icon in the address bar of browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge tells you whether a site is using a secure HTTPS connection. However, there are tons of legitimate sites that haven’t upgraded to HTTPS yet.

Therefore, you need an internet security suite with good web protections that will stop you from accessing malicious URLs entirely. Failing that, you can check if a website is safe using trusted services such as Norton’s Safe Web. These services allow you to enter a URL and find out whether it’s been used in malware or phishing attacks.

Question 40

What is URL malware?

Accepted Answer

URL malware isn’t malware itself — it’s usually a malicious link that contains exploit attacks, malware, or other unwanted files. A good antivirus with web protections can protect you from malicious links. However, you should also regularly scan your PC following our steps above to ensure malware files on your device aren’t connecting to unsafe URLs.

Question 41

What do I do if I click a malicious link?

Accepted Answer

If you clicked on a malicious link and it wasn’t blocked by your antivirus provider, consider using one of our top 10 solutions instead. If you don’t use an antivirus, you need to download one with decent web protection that will keep you safe from clicking malicious links in future. You should then scan your PC using our steps above to ensure you haven’t received any virus infections from clicking on the malicious link.

Question 42

What is Spigot on my Mac?

Accepted Answer

Spigot is adware that usually disguises itself as a trustworthy app. Adware can insert unwanted results into your search engine, redirect your browser, and monitor your browsing details to profit from your data. Spigot’s fake apps frequently use recognizable names like Amazon Shopping Assistant to deceive users.

If your antivirus detects macOS:Spigot-AY, or you notice Amazon Shopping Assistant (or another unusual browser extension) suddenly appear, download a secure antivirus program and scan your PC. Intego detected 100% of the adware and spyware in our rigorous antivirus stress testing, scoring our highest rating for 2023 among all Mac antivirus programs.

Question 43

Is Spigot malware?

Accepted Answer

Spigot is a form of malware known as adware. While it’s unlikely to damage your Mac, Spigot can still cause slowdown, steal your data, and redirect your browsing traffic to unsafe websites. If your antivirus detects a threat classified as macOS:Spigot-AY, you should follow our steps to run a full system scan and remove it.

If you’re using Avast or AVG, we recommend switching to Intego, which is a more reliable antivirus for Mac.

Question 44

How do I get rid of Spigot?

Accepted Answer

Use an antivirus like Intego to remove malware from your system. Removing malware manually can have disastrous consequences for your system files, and you probably won’t be able to remove all the malware anyway.

If an app associated with macOS:Spigot-AY is on your Mac, then you likely have other adware threats installed too. To get rid of Spigot the safe way, you should follow our steps to run a full system scan using a secure antivirus program.

Question 45

What is searching.com malware?

Accepted Answer

Searching.com (or www-searching.com) is an unsafe search engine that steals user data and redirects searches to unsafe sites — the Search Engine Plus browser hijacker will alter your browser’s settings to make searching.com your homepage.

Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) like Search Engine Plus are usually downloaded with freeware or pirated content. If your internet searches are redirecting through www-searching.com, you should follow our steps to uninstall the potentially unwanted program (PUP) causing this to happen, then scan your PC using a secure antivirus suite like Norton.

Question 46

How can I remove www-searching.com?

Accepted Answer

The best way to remove www-searching.com is to find and uninstall the app that’s redirecting your search results in your internet browser. This app is most likely Search Module Plus (but there are other browser hijackers that can redirect your search results, too). Follow our steps to safely remove these apps.

Note: Once you’ve uninstalled the PUP redirecting your search, you should run a virus scan using a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton to make sure you have no other malware.

Question 47

Is www-searching.com safe?

Accepted Answer

www-searching.com isn’t safe. If your web browser is redirecting your searches through it, you have a potentially unwanted program (PUP) on your PC that’s likely stealing your data and browsing history. In most cases, this PUP is Search Module Plus, but you should check for other PUPs on your PC using a secure antivirus once you’ve uninstalled Search Module Plus.

Sam Boyd

Published With SafetyDetectives

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How to Remove the WebDiscover Browser in 2023

How to Remove ByteFence Secure Browsing in 4 Simple Steps

How to Remove Mindspark Toolbar in 2023

How to Remove SlimCleaner Plus in 4 Simple Steps

How to Remove Advanced Mac Cleaner in 3 Simple Steps

How to Remove URL:MAL Virus in 3 Steps (Updated 2023)

How to Remove macOS:Spigot-AY in 3 Steps (Updated 2023)

How to Remove www-searching.com Redirect in 4 Simple Steps