Browser Assistant by Realistic Media is not just an ordinary browser hijacker. It is considered as hazardous Trojan that injects javascript code to targeted browser program especially Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. During infection, internet browser may not operate normally due to the execution of unnecessary script inserted by Browser Assistant. One obvious sign of the infection is the excessive pop-ups and redirects that supersede browser navigation of web users.
It is also noticeable that browser’s homepage and new tab settings are under the control of Browser Assistant. Instead of the usual search engine page, 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 makes it an advertising platform. Furnishing web users with valuable search outcome is not the priority of Browser Assistant or any kind of browser hijacker/adware.
Browser Assistant by Realistic Media is a threat to web user’s 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, username, passwords, IP address, and so on. Browser Assistant collects these data and processes it to display personalized advertisements that have high 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 potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised computer.
In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Stage 1: Delete Browser Extension
Most adware and unwanted programs are using a program called browser extension to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend to check and remove the extension that is closely related to Browser Assistant.
Remove Browser Assistant Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Browser Assistant (Realistic Media) or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
Uninstall Browser Assistant Extension from Firefox
1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Choose Extensions on sidebar menu.
4. Look for object that is pertaining to Browser Assistant (Realistic Media) and remove it from the browser.
Remove Browser Assistant Add-ons from Internet Explorer
1. Open Internet Explorer program.
2. Go to top Menu and click Tools. Then, select Manage Add-ons from the drop-down list.
3. Look for and Remove or Disable entries of Browser Assistant from Toolbars and Extension and Search Providers section.
4. Close the window and restart Internet Explorer.
If Browser Assistant is still present on the IE browser, another option is to remove the adware from Windows Control Panel.
5. Press Windows Key + R and then, type appwiz.cpl command.
6. Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in chronological manner with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on ‘Installed On‘ column.
7. Select Browser Assistant (Realistic Media) or recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from Windows system.
Stage 2: Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Browser Assistant on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
Click here to download AdwCleaner (this will open a new window)
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by Browser Assistant.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.
4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to Browser Assistant.
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 detected threats.
Stage 3: Scan the Computer with Sophos Virus Removal Tool
Lastly, we will scan the computer with a multi-function security program. This will inspect the computer for possible presence of virus, malware, rootkit, adware as well as unwanted homepage like Browser Assistant.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
Sophos Virus Removal Tool Download Link (this will open a new window)
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
3. On first windows of 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.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. 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 malicious program like Browser Assistant.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for 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.
Option: Alternative Method to Clean Up Internet Browser from Browser Assistant
Not all adware and PUP’s are the same. Some cannot be removed by deleting relevant extensions and codes. On this instances, resetting the browser to default configuration is the only best solution. If Browser Assistant is still bothering you after completing all the steps above, please execute the procedures below to reset the settings of affected browser program.
Use Chrome Clean Up Tool to Delete Browser Assistant
1. Open Google Chrome application.
2. Type this strings in the address box: chrome://settings/ and then, press Enter on keyboard.
3. Scroll down and expand Advanced settings area.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page until you see Reset and Cleanup section.
5. Click on Clean Up Computer. On next page, please click FIND to proceed.
This feature of Google Chrome aims to find harmful software and remove it instantly. If unable to delete Browser Assistant, the other option is to Reset Google Chrome settings to its original defaults. Just go back to previous page (Clean Up Computer) and reset the settings. See more details on this page.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
If Mozilla Firefox is affected by Browser Assistant and procedures above were not helpful, we suggest that you carry out these steps. This process can fix the issue by restoring Firefox browser to default factory state. Most browser data will be affected but not bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and internet cookies. Extensions and other installed plug-ins maybe deleted by this function. Therefore, if you wish to remove specific extension only, please see manual add-on removal from this link.
1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and type the following in the address bar: about:support
2. Browser will be directed to a page of Troubleshooting Information. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating ‘Give Firefox a Tune Up‘. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
3. Confirmation window will pop-up, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
4. The reset process will automatically close the browser and proceed with the restoration. Next, it will display a list of restored data. Browser Assistant should be gone by now. Click Finish to close the current window and open a fresh window of Mozilla Firefox.
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!