Browser Assistant by Realistic Media is not just an ordinary browser hijacker. It is considered a hazardous Trojan that injects JavaScript code into targeted browser programs, especially Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. During an infection, the internet browser may not operate normally due to the execution of an unnecessary script inserted by the Browser Assistant. One obvious sign of the infection is the excessive pop-ups and redirects that supersede browser navigation for web users.
It is also noticeable that the browser’s homepage and new tab settings are under the control of the Browser Assistant. Instead of the usual search engine page, the homepage will have a new layout and search tool that is normally provided by QXSearch. Web users may never get a hold of accurate and valuable results as long as Browser Assistant is the one facilitating the online search. First, this browser extension was made primarily with the purpose of controlling the browser and making it an advertising platform. Furnishing web users with valuable search outcomes is not the priority of Browser Assistant or any kind of browser hijacker or adware.
Browser Assistant by Realistic Media is a threat to web users’ online privacy and security too. The injected JavaScript on the browser application is also capable of monitoring browsing activity and is able to log various information like favorite websites, search keywords, usernames, passwords, IP addresses, and so on. Browser Assistant collects this data and processes it to display personalized advertisements that have a higher percentage of generating profits than ordinary random ads.
In a nutshell, Browser Assistant by Realistic Media is a hazardous browser add-on that web users may accidentally install by downloading dubious freeware. Therefore, one can easily prevent Browser Assistant infection by being cautious when obtaining free applications. It is recommended to scan the downloaded program before proceeding with the setup.
Browser Assistant Removal Procedure
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the Adware on compromised Windows computers. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful for deleting pop-ups and redirects. In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner
To remove Browser Assistant adware from the computer, follow the steps below.
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of adware like Browser Assistant through this procedure.
1. Download the application from the following page:
2. Save the file to your preferred location.
3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.
4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.
5. The tool will update the signature file; please wait for this process to complete.
6. To begin checking for threats like Browser Assistant, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.
7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Browser Assistant adware, including all malicious objects from the computer.
Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if you are comfortable manually getting rid of the threat and malicious items linked to it.
Step 1 : Turn Off Sync on Google Chrome
1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. In the address bar, please type the following: chrome://settings/syncSetup
3. On the Settings page, click the Turn off button to disable syncing Chrome settings between devices.
If you don't want to stop syncing other sections like Apps, Bookmarks, History, Theme, and so on, please click on Manage what you sync. Next, select Customize sync. To successfully remove Browser Assistant, you may disable only Apps and Extensions data. Please restart the Google Chrome browser.
Step 2 : Delete Browser Assistant or Suspicious Browser Extension
Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called a "browser extension" to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing the extension that is closely related to Browser Assistant. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.
Remove the Browser Assistant Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open your Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Find Browser Assistant or any relevant entry and remove it from the Google Chrome browser.
Uninstall the Browser Assistant Extension from Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Choose Extensions from the sidebar menu.
4. Look for an object that pertains to Browser Assistant and remove it from the browser.
After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that pop-ups and other troubles will be gone from the internet browser.
Remove Browser Assistant from Microsoft Windows and Edge Browser
1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R and then, type the appwiz.cpl command.
2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.
3. Select Browser Assistant or a recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.
If Browser Assistant is still present on the browser and there are still homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from the browser settings.
4. Open the Microsoft Edge program.
5. Input edge://extensions/ in the URL bar and press Enter on the keyboard.
6. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for Browser Assistant from the Installed Extensions area. Additionally, delete the same object from the Search Providers section by executing the Hijacker Removal Procedure for Edge.
7. Close the window and restart Microsoft Edge.
Step 3 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove Browser Assistant automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful virus and malware removal tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware; it is also effective in discovering adware like Browser Assistant.
1. Download the Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the installation process.
3. On the first window of the installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch the Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. An internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove adware like Browser Assistant.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for the presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Browser Assistant and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Browser Assistant adware. However, if you find that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to the succeeding procedures below.
Step 4 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with the AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Browser Assistant on the browser that were not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for the presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produce annoying pop-ups.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer, especially browsers affected by Browser Assistant.
3. Browse to the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on the Scan button.
4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with Browser Assistant. It will also check for suspicious entries in browser settings.
5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of the detected threats.
Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Browser Assistant. If the adware still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to their default settings.
Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program
Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Browser Assistant. The procedure below discusses on resetting various browsers to their default state.
Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings
Resetting Google Chrome to its default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extensions, such as Browser Assistant. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty removing unwanted extensions.
1. Open the Google Chrome internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press the Enter key.
3. Click on Reset Settings on the sidebar and choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. On the confirmation window, click the Reset settings button to clear all entries for Browser Assistant.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed the Browser Assistant extension and associated objects.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
This section describes how to remove unwanted extensions from Firefox that may be related to Browser Assistant. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only a specific extension, please see the manual removal of add-ons from Firefox.
1. Input the string about:support on the Firefox web address and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section in the upper-right corner of the screen stating, Give Firefox a tune-up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If a confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Browser Assistant should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.
Restore Microsoft Edge to Default Settings
1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. On the address bar, please input edge://settings/reset and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Once you are on the Reset Settings page, click on Restore settings to their default values.
4. A confirmation window will appear; click on the Reset button to continue.
Your data, like favorites, bookmarks, and history, will remain in the browser. However, this process will delete add-ons by Browser Assistant and other unknown objects.
I have been trying to uninstall it, and the addon itself has been removed. but I want to get rid of the entire program. when I go to the uninstall window in the control panel and try to install it, keeps saying that I need a file named BAv1381001.msi in order to uninstall it. how do I do it this way?
Hi, your previous virus scan may have removed the BAv1381001.msi. Have you tried uninstalling the program first? Then, after successfully removing the program, you can delete the extension and scan the computer at the last stage.
I am also having the same issue. I am unable to remove the program in the add/remove programs window.
I get “The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.”
Then, “Click OK or try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package ‘BAv1381001.msi’ in the box below.”. It just can’t be removed.
Does anyone here have the answer for removing what 3 of us cannot remove???
I have the same issue as Alex & Tim! Jejoram asks if we tried to unistall the program first..lol – That’s what we are trying to do but can’t! How is that not understood by Jejoram?? No one has the answer!