If you have Wave Browser installed on your device, we recommend uninstalling the software by following the steps we highlight in the article below. Here’s a brief overview of what you have to do on a Windows 11 device: You can also use an antivirus scanner like BitDefender to remove the program from your device. BitDefender is available for both Windows and macOS devices. Visit BitDefender In this article, we look into what Wave Browser is, how it affects your system, and how you can permanently remove it from your device.
What is Wave Browser?
At first glance, Wave Browser looks like an innocuous web browser. But in truth, Wave Browser is potentially malicious software. The software was released in 2015 by Wavesor Software, which appears to be a subsidiary of another company with links to Genimous Technology Co. Ltd. in China. It has since become known as a subpar browser that keeps relentlessly installing itself on your device. There are a few things that make this browser terrifying. The most pressing is that Wave Browser does not require administrative rights to execute changes to your device. What’s more, it regularly deposits scheduled tasks to reinstall itself after a basic uninstall. And, as recently as 2021, only a few antivirus software were flagging Wave Browser as a threat despite its suspicious behavior.
Is Wave Browser safe?
No, Wave Browser is not safe. However, Wave Browser is not exactly a virus, either. Strictly speaking, it actually is a run-of-the-mill internet browser. You can still use it to browse the web, just like any other internet browser. However, Wave Browser is invasive and insecure. As such, we strongly advise against using it. Below, we discuss the reasons why you shouldn’t use Wave Browser.
Why Should I Remove Wave Browser?
Let’s take a more detailed look at why you should uninstall Wave Browser and switch to a better browser that has stronger privacy features.
It’s stuffed with advertising
Wave will routinely serve you with advertisements, discount offers, and more. Some of those ads may have links in them. If you click on one of those, you may be opening the door for more malware, identity theft, phishing, and even remote takeover of your device.
It’s considered to be a browser hijacker
Many consider Wave Browser to be both a search hijacker and a browser hijacker. The software can take control of your search queries, your default homepage, and more. Recent independent user research into the company behind Wave Browser, Genimous Technology Co. Ltd, claimed that they were using multiple other software products in a similar way. These browser extensions were designed to hijack and redirect people’s online searches, sending them to websites infested with malware or tools to gather and resell user data. They included extensions with names like Search Encrypt, Hide My Searches, and Encrypted Search.
Your personal data could be at risk
According to its privacy policy, Wave Browser may collect:
Cookies stored on your device Third-party tracking information Server logs (records of websites you’ve visited) Demographic information, including your age, gender, household income, political affiliation, race, and religion The type of device you’re using Your IP address (which can be tied to your location)
This is a pretty extensive list and includes information you ideally shouldn’t be sharing, such as your IP address. Your IP can be tied to your location, which can give malicious actors a way to track you. What’s more, the company doesn’t specify a data retention length. Instead, they’ll keep your data for “the length of time your personal information remains relevant.”
Wave Browser can make system-level changes to your computer
Wave Browser’s permissions let it make system-level changes to your computer. As a result, you could find your browser homepage and other settings changed without your permission. In the worst-case scenario, such software could feasibly install other malware onto your computer.
As you can see from the installer, Wave Browser wants a whole bunch of permissions upon installation. If you accept those checkboxes:
Any task that launches an internet browser will start using Wave Browser instead of your usual browser. Wave Browser will inherit browsing history and other stored data from your usual browser. You’ll give Wave Browser permission to run at startup.
That last permission is particularly worrisome. Once Wave gets onto your machine, it’ll dig its claws into your computer like a tick and assimilate into startup tasks that set up each computer session. This makes it so that, as you’re about to discover, uninstalling Wave is no walk in the park.
How to Uninstall Wave Browser
Since this software penetrates the System Registry and establishes itself there permanently, Windows users need to use the below guides to completely remove Wave Browser for good. Otherwise, it’ll keep coming back when that embedded scheduled task runs.
How to remove Wave Browser on Windows 10
There are several steps to uninstalling Wave Browser from your Windows computer. We’ve set these out in separate stages below to help you work through them.
1. Uninstall Wave Browser
2. Close lingering Wave Browser tasks
Next, you’ll need to check that the software doesn’t have any tasks running on your machine.
3. Disable Wave Browser startup tasks
This is where you could well find lingering Wave Browser tasks. Startup tasks literally run when your machine is starting up. Essentially, by depositing a task into the startup routine, Wave can reinstall itself if left unchecked.
4. Delete Wave Browser from Registry
The Windows Registry contains many of the settings for your operating system, software, and more. Since Wave Browser can embed itself in your Registry, it can make system-level changes and even repopulate itself when you think you’ve uninstalled it. So, the next step is to cleanse your Windows Registry:
Congratulations! Now, you know how to delete the Wave Browser on a Windows computer. If you need to use another browser in the meantime, we’ve covered this in more detail further down in the article. However, we advise against Microsoft Edge, one of the least privacy-friendly, big-name browsers around.
How to Remove Wave Browser on Mac
If you’re wondering how to uninstall the Wave Browser app on a Mac, it’s similar to Windows. However, as the software differs, you’ll need to follow the steps below.
1. Move Wave to the Trash
2. Remove browser plugins and extensions
It’s worth noting that you should only use trusted browser extensions. If you’re not sure which to avoid, check out our guide on the privacy risks of browser extensions. This guide also contains information on removing browser extensions on other browsers.
How to Protect Yourself Against Wave Browser
The best way to protect yourself against any PUP is to stick to the beaten path. Use the tried-and-tested, well-reviewed software products chosen by millions around the world and reviewed by experts. There are also specific, concrete steps you can take to protect yourself from Wave Browser and other potentially unwanted programs. Let’s take a look at them below.
1. Be careful what you click
Much of the advice for avoiding Wave and similar PUPs is the same as with any dangerous software. Avoid clicking on pop-up adverts, links within spam emails, and other unrecognized messages.
2. Avoid suspicious or unofficial software downloads
Refrain from downloading software from anywhere but official websites and verified marketplaces (like Google Play Store and Apple App Store). iOS users are automatically a little safer than Android users as Apple has stringent checks around apps allowed on its devices. Meanwhile, Android allows for custom APKs (software downloads) to be installed, so be careful about downloading apps from unofficial sources.
3. Use cybersecurity software
Another way to shore up your defenses is to use the best cybersecurity software as an additional layer of protection. Tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) can reduce the chance of you becoming a victim. Even if you accidentally download browser hijackers, your VPN can still obscure your IP address so that third parties can’t get a hold of your IP. VPNs also encrypt your internet activity from prying eyes. We recommend anyone browsing online to use a VPN. Find out more about VPN software, or go straight to checking out our top-recommend VPN, NordVPN. NordVPN consistently tops our stringent tests in security, privacy, speed, and user-friendliness.
4. Use an antivirus scanner
Unfortunately, not all antivirus scanners will pick up Wave Browser as a potentially unwanted program. Thankfully, premier antivirus software like BitDefender will. BitDefender conducts regular scans of your PC so it can weed out potentially malicious programs. This will keep your device from getting infected. It can also be used to manually quarantine and delete software like Wave Browser. You can check out our Bitdefender review for more information, or visit the Bitdefender website through the link above.
5. Surf the web with a private browser
Instead of using Wave Browser, choose a trusted browser that has proven to be beneficial to your privacy. We recommend Tor Browser if you’re a power user who needs to access the most remote places on the web. Just be warned that it can slow down your browsing experience. For casual or everyday use, your best bet is Mozilla Firefox or Brave. We discuss these browsers in more detail in the section below.
What are the Best Browsers for Privacy?
Clearly, Wave Browser isn’t the best example of online privacy. Your internet browser is your primary tool for browsing the web, so it needs to be safe and secure. Check out the best internet browsers for privacy if you need a replacement. Here’s a quick rundown.
Conclusion: Avoid Wave Browser, Browse the Web Safely
Wave Browser is a potentially unwanted program that doesn’t quite meet the classification of malware. But it’s considered unsafe, and you should take steps to remove it from your machine and choose another browser. This potentially malicious software has several characteristics that make it an undesirable browser. It’s an evasive app that can embed itself into your device’s software, making it very difficult to remove. Wave Browser can also redirect your search queries while collecting a range of personal data, some of which are considered invasive. The app is also linked to a Chinese development company, and China’s privacy laws lack the protection we might expect. You can uninstall Wave browser using Bitdefender, but for complete removal, we recommend using the steps outlined in the above article. We also recommend using the best cybersecurity tools to defend yourself, such as NordVPN.
Wave Browser is capable of making system-level changes to your device. The software’s capabilities could allow it to hijack your online search queries. Wave can reinstall itself, even if you’ve attempted to uninstall it. The browser is capable of capturing personal information, and it has links to a Chinese company that has been named in user research into browser hijackers.
