Webdigger.net

Webdigger.net is a browser hijacker that can affect browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. The main reason our researchers recommend staying away from it is that the tool's presented search engine could show both annoying and unreliable advertisements from unknown third parties. To our knowledge, the application might be distributed with bundled setup files, which means some users may add it on their browsers accidentally. Further, in the text, we will present more information about the application, so if you would like to get to know it better, we invite you to read the rest of this text. At the end of the article, you should find our provided deletion instructions too. They will explain how to get rid of Webdigger.net manually, so if you think you can handle this task, we invite you to follow the mentioned steps.

Besides the possibility the application might be spread with bundled software installers; it is also possible Webdigger.net might be traveling with suspicious pop-up advertisements. One way or the other its appearance could mean the user was too careless since to download bundled software installers or see malicious pop-ups one should visit unreliable file-sharing web pages or other doubtful sites. Therefore, to protect your computer from threats alike, our researchers recommend being more cautious while surfing the Internet. Additionally, we would advise keeping a reliable antimalware tool installed on the system that could stay on guard and warn you about possible threats. However, it is important to remember that it is essential to update your antimalware tool from time to time or else it may not be able to recognize newest malicious programs.

What happens if Webdigger.net manages to enter the system? As mentioned earlier the application is compatible with all major browsers. Our researchers say after the installation the browser hijacker may replace the browser’s default search engine, start page, or even new tab page. Apparently, the application could do so by modifying the data belonging to the affected browser. To give you an example, if the hijacked browser is Internet Explorer the tool would target a value name called Start Page accessible through the specific path (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main) on Registry Editor. To be more precise the mentioned file’s value data would be replaced with Webdigger.net and so the affected browser would start loading this search engine every time it is launched. Similar modifications could be made to other browsers the application is compatible with, and you can see them if you take a look at the deletion instructions located a bit below the article.

The worst part is Webdigger.net might gather results with a modified google.com version. It means besides the results matching your submitted keyword, you could also find additional advertising content coming from unknown third parties. We do not say such content may necessarily endanger the system, but there is a possibility some of it might. For instance, the third-party ads could lead to web pages distributing malware or threats similar to this browser hijacker. Moreover, there might be suspicious advertisements that could endanger your privacy, for example, they may ask you to submit information on fake surveys or lotteries. Because of these described risks, we would recommend being extra cautious if you encounter any unreliable advertisements.

Naturally, the best way to avoid unreliable advertising that could appear with Webdigger.net presented results would be to remove the browser hijacker. Our researchers say there are two ways to delete it so if you decide you do not want to keep this threat on your system anymore we encourage you to use one of our suggested solutions. The first way to get rid of the browser hijacker is to erase its modified data the way it is explained in the instructions located a bit below the article. As for the second option, we would advise installing a reliable antimalware tool and scanning the system with it. After the scan, there should be a removal button; just click it, and all detections should be eliminated at once.

Delete Webdigger.net

Internet Explorer

1. Press Win+R.
2. Type Regedit and click OK.
3. Search for the following path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Search for value name titled Start Page.
5. Right-Click Start Page and select Modify.
6. Replace value data (http://webdigger.net), for example, with google.com.
7. Click OK.
8. Exit Registry Entry.
9. Empty Recycle bin.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Win+E.
2. Get to: C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla ID}
3. Locate file Prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
4. Identify this line: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://webdigger.net").
5. Replace the browser hijacker’s link.
6. Save the changes (Ctrl+S).
7. Close Prefs.js.

Google Chrome

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Locate the following path: C:\Users\{Username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
3. Find and erase these listed files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
4. Close the Explorer.