Awayurl – What is it and How to remove it?

What is Awayurl?

Awayurl is self-described as a “free Google Chrome extension designed to enhance users’ online experience by directing them to live sites seamlessly.” Its description touts it as “the ultimate solution for stress-free browsing, promising more than just redirection when errors occur. Instead, Awayurl offers an educational error page that simplifies explanations of encountered issues. Functioning as a Google Chrome extension, Awayurl transforms mundane server and DNS errors into visually captivating web pages packed with valuable information, relevant promotions, and a user-friendly Bing-powered search bar. It also boasts the ability to display site performance on BAB.”

Despite its seemingly benign appearance and promised functionalities, once installed, Awayurl operates surreptitiously in the background, quietly consuming browser resources. It comes with extensive permissions, allowing it to read and change all data on all websites, as well as access browsing history, even while users are in incognito mode.

One of the most significant concerns surrounding this extension is its association with malicious advertising networks that promote not only the extension itself as possibly something it is not as shown in the image above but also various forms of malware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Consequently, discovering the presence of Awayurl installed without explicit user consent could signal a broader malware infection on the device.

Is Awayurl a virus?

While Awayurl is not inherently categorized as a computer virus or malware, it’s often flagged as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) by various antivirus programs, as indicated by VirusTotal. Despite not meeting the criteria for a virus, there are significant concerns associated with its operations and impact on users’ systems:

• Awayurl typically infiltrates users’ systems stealthily, often bundled with other software without clear notification or consent. This clandestine installation method is characteristic of many types of malware, leading users to suspect its malicious intent.
• Once installed, Awayurl immediately begins to modify default search engine settings and redirect browser searches without explicit user permission. These unauthorized alterations closely resemble the behavior of certain viruses, further raising suspicion among users.
• Awayurl operates discreetly in the background, consuming system resources even when not actively in use. Such behavior, reminiscent of malware, may trigger concerns about potential harm to the system’s performance and security.
• Furthermore, Awayurl tracks and intercepts users’ online search activities, potentially compromising their privacy. This invasive behavior can be perceived as a breach of security, akin to how viruses compromise personal data.
• Moreover, Awayurl may display intrusive advertisements, exacerbating the perception of it being malware. The prevalence of ads within the extension could lead users to question its legitimacy and further fuel suspicions of its potentially harmful nature.

In summary, the combination of its clandestine installation process, unauthorized alterations to browser settings, resource consumption, privacy intrusion, and intrusive advertisements may cause users to mistake Awayurl for a virus or other malicious software.

Awayurl removal steps

1. Remove Awayurl from your browser:
   • Chrome: Open Chrome, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, select “More tools” > “Extensions,” find Awayurl in the list, and click “Remove.”
   • Firefox: Open Firefox, click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, select “Add-ons,” navigate to the “Extensions” tab, locate Awayurl, and click “Remove.”
   • Other Browsers: For Safari, Edge, and other browsers, refer to their respective settings or extensions menus to locate and remove Awayurl.
2. For Windows users:
   • Windows 11 and Windows 10: Open Settings, go to Apps > Apps and Features, locate Awayurl, and click “Uninstall.”
   • Other versions of Windows: Open Control Panel, navigate to Programs > Programs and Features, find Awayurl, and click “Uninstall/Change.”
3. Check for other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and malware on your system. Use reputable antivirus software like Malwarebytes:
   1. Download Malwarebytes from [Here’s a Link!]
   2. Install and open Malwarebytes.
   3. Click “Get started,” then “Scan” to start a scan for unwanted programs, malware, and viruses.
   4. Once the scan is complete, click “Quarantine” to remove detected threats.
   5. You can view a report or click “Done” to finish the process.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove Awayurl, viruses, and malware from your computer and device. Remember to exercise caution to ensure your privacy and online security are prioritized.