Remove DataQuest

What is DataQuest

DataQuest is a very typical adware infection that affects Mac computers. While infections are rarer for Mac computers, Macs are not invincible. In particular, Mac users often have to deal with adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs. This adware is not overly malicious and mostly focuses on showing you as many ads as possible to generate revenue. However, while adware itself isn’t malicious, the same cannot be said about the ads it shows users. The ads are not checked, thus you could easily get exposed to ones promoting malware or scams. It’s recommended that you do not interact with ads at all while adware is installed.

Adware usually uses software bundling to install but this particular adware is also installing via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Users are shown fake but somewhat legitimate looking notifications that warn users that installing the update is necessary, and when users install it, they end up with adware. Continue reading to find out how you can prevent these unwanted installations in the future.

Adware are tricky pests to get rid of and incorrectly uninstalling it could allow it to recover. Therefore, we would strongly recommend using anti-spyware software to delete DataQuest from your Mac computer.

How did the adware install

There are two ways you could have infected your Mac with this particular adware. You either installed freeware and did not notice that it had the adware attached to it, or you downloaded a fake Adobe Flash update.

The practice of adding addition offers (usually adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs) to freeware, also known as software bundling, is very common. Most free programs come together with these offers and users are usually not aware of them. They are purposely hidden because if users do not deselect them when installing freeware, they are permitted to install alongside. Next time you’re installing free programs, always opt for Advanced (Custom) settings. Those settings will make everything added visible and you will be able to deselect everything. Always uncheck all offers because they will be of no use to you.

It’s also possible you downloaded the adware via a fake Adobe Flash update. Fake updates have been used to trick users into installing all kinds of things for many years now but a lot of users are still unaware that legitimate updates are never pushed this way. This fake update notification appears out of the blue when users are browsing the Internet and informs them that Adobe Flash needs an update. Users who download it end up with DataQuest adware or some other infection. For future reference, legitimate updates are usually installed automatically, and if you need to update something manually, use the program’s official site to get the update. Never trust random notifications when you browse.

What does DataQuest do?

DataQuest is adware, and adware’s main purpose is to generate advertisements and make revenue. It will attach itself to all your browsers, including Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox and start showing you an annoying amount of advertisements.

Because adware does not check the ads it shows you, you could easily be shown malicious ones. Thus, avoid interacting with any ads while your computer is infected. Be particularly careful of ads that promote programs and offer links to download them. Ads are not safe sources for downloads and may be harbouring all kinds of infections. If you want to download a program, do research first and then use official sources to download it.

You should be careful of ads that claim you have won something. They usually pop up suddenly and claim that you are a lucky visitor or have been selected to win something because of your loyalty to Google, Facebook, Amazon or some other company that is supposedly hosting the giveaway. These “giveaways” are just attempts to get users’ personal information. In order to supposedly get their prize, users are asked to disclose their full names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, etc. Some users are even asked to pay money. This gathered information is then used to perform more elaborate scams on users.

DataQuest removal

We strongly recommend using anti-spyware software to remove DataQuest because the program would ensure the infection is gone completely. If you perform manual DataQuest removal, you may miss a file or two, and that could allow the adware to recover.

Once the adware is gone, everything should go back to normal and you can return to regular browsing.

Offers

Download Removal Toolto scan for DataQuestUse our recommended removal tool to scan for DataQuest. Trial version of provides detection of computer threats like DataQuest and assists in its removal for FREE. You can delete detected registry entries, files and processes yourself or purchase a full version.

More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall DataQuest and related programs.

• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP
• Mac OS

Remove DataQuest from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Uninstall DataQuest from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Delete DataQuest from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove DataQuest from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for DataQuest or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Step 2. Delete DataQuest from your browsers

• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer

1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
3. Leave the window.

Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.

Reset your browser

1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
4. Tap Close and leave your browser.
5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.

Erase DataQuest from Google Chrome

1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
2. Choose Extensions.
3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.

Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus

1. Press on menu icon and click Settings.
2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
   

Reset your browser

1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
2. Open menu and navigate to Settings.
3. Press Reset button at the end of the page.
4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.

Remove DataQuest from Mozilla Firefox

1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.

Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
3. Press OK to save these changes.

Reset your browser

1. Open the menu and tap Help button.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Press Refresh Firefox.
4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.

Uninstall DataQuest from Safari (Mac OS X)

1. Access the menu.
2. Pick Preferences.
3. Go to the Extensions Tab.
4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable DataQuest and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
5. Restart Safari.

Reset your browser

1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.