An illustration of a desktop screen displaying a suspicious Wave Browser interface filled with pop-ups and warning icons, with trusted browser logos like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Brave in the foreground, surrounded by clean and secure visuals. A subtle spy silhouette in the background hints at privacy concerns.

Beware of Wave Browser: What You Need to Know About Your Web Browser

When I visit clients’ homes and offices, I often come across a mysterious web browser called Wave Browser installed on their computers. Most people don’t even know where it came from or how it got there. Their familiar search engine is gone, their home page has changed, and they’re left wondering what’s going on.

Wave Browser is a classic example of what we in IT call Potentially Unwanted Software (PUP). It’s software that likely sneaked onto your computer when you downloaded something else—like free software or a browser extension. Once installed, it hijacks some of your browser’s functions, such as your default search engine and home page, and may collect your browsing data behind the scenes.

Even worse, Wave Browser is not transparent about what it’s doing or where it comes from. Its website is sketchy, with broken links and no clear information about its developers. Because of these issues, we strongly recommend removing Wave Browser from your system as soon as possible.


How to Remove Wave Browser

The good news is that removing Wave Browser is a task most people can handle. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’m linking a step-by-step guide from a trusted source:
Click Here for a Guide to Remove Wave Browser.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable tackling this or any task on your own, we’re happy to help. Give DarkHorse IT a call, and we’ll assist with cleaning up your computer and securing your system.


Let’s Talk About Browsers: What Should You Be Using?

Once you’ve removed Wave Browser, it’s time to make sure you’re using a trusted, reliable web browser. But before we dive into recommendations, let’s start with a big-picture overview.


Most Browsers Are Built on Just 3 Engines

Under the hood, every modern web browser is built on one of three major browser engines:

  1. Chromium (Blink Engine):
    This is the engine behind Google Chrome, but it’s also used by Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and many others. Even though these browsers may look different or have different features, they all run on the same foundation as Chrome. Think of it like different brands of cars using the same engine.
  2. Gecko (Mozilla Firefox Engine):
    This engine powers Mozilla Firefox, a browser developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation. Firefox is known for its focus on privacy and independence—it’s not owned by a big tech company like Google, Apple, or Microsoft.
  3. WebKit (Safari Engine):
    Apple’s WebKit engine powers Safari, the default browser on macOS and iOS devices. It’s fast, secure, and optimized for Apple hardware. It’s also the engine that all browsers on iPhones and iPads must use (thanks to Apple’s rules).

What Browser Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top browsers and what makes them stand out:

  1. Google Chrome (Chromium)
    • Why Use It: Chrome is fast, widely compatible, and integrates perfectly with Google services like Gmail, Drive, and Calendar.
    • Why Be Cautious: Chrome is built by Google, which collects a lot of data about you. If you’re concerned about privacy, Chrome might not be the best choice.
  2. Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    • Why Use It: Edge is essentially Chrome under the hood but with Microsoft’s customization. It includes features like seamless integration with Windows and built-in tools like a PDF viewer and vertical tabs.
    • Why Be Cautious: While Edge has privacy controls, it still collects data for Microsoft. If you didn’t like Internet Explorer, keep in mind that this is a very different browser!
  3. Mozilla Firefox (Gecko)
    • Why Use It: Firefox is my personal favorite. It’s privacy-focused, customizable, and independent of big tech companies. Firefox is developed by Mozilla, a non-profit organization that’s been around since the early days of the web.
    • Why Be Cautious: Some websites may not work perfectly with Firefox because it’s not as widely used as Chrome. But for most people, it’s a fantastic choice.
  4. Safari (WebKit)
    • Why Use It: If you’re an Apple user, Safari is a great choice. It’s fast, optimized for battery life, and includes strong privacy protections like Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP).
    • Why Be Cautious: Safari works best within the Apple ecosystem and isn’t ideal if you use non-Apple devices.
  5. Brave (Chromium)
    • Why Use It: Brave is built for privacy and security. It blocks ads, trackers, and third-party cookies by default. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a browser that prioritizes privacy without sacrificing speed.
    • Why Be Cautious: Brave runs on Chromium, so while it doesn’t send your data to Google, it’s still built on the same core.

For the Privacy Enthusiasts: A Quick Bonus Mention

For those who want next-level privacy, there’s the Onion Browser for accessing the Tor network. Tor routes your internet traffic through multiple layers of encryption, making it extremely difficult to track your activity. But let’s be honest, most people don’t need this level of privacy—it’s more of a tool for activists, journalists, or people in restrictive countries. If you’re curious, though, we’ll save that topic for another day!


Browsers on Phones: What’s the Difference?

If you’re using an Android phone, you can download and use the full versions of Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and other browsers. Android is an open platform, so browsers can use their full engines and offer all their features, just like on a computer.

But on iPhones, Apple enforces stricter rules. Even if you install Chrome or Firefox, they’re not using their own engines—they’re just skins running on top of Safari’s WebKit engine. So for most iPhone users, sticking with Safari makes the most sense, since it’s already optimized for your device and includes excellent privacy protections.

The only reason to use something like Chrome or Firefox on your iPhone is if you want to sync bookmarks, passwords, and history with your other devices. But remember, syncing passwords through your browser isn’t ideal—use a dedicated password manager instead.


Wave Browser is a browser you don’t want on your system. It sneaks in without your permission, takes over your browser settings, and might be collecting your personal data. If you see it installed, remove it immediately (check out the guide I’ve linked above).

As for what browser to use, the best option depends on your needs:

  • Chrome for Google users who want speed and compatibility.
  • Firefox for those who value privacy and independence.
  • Safari for Apple users looking for the best optimization on Apple devices.
  • Brave for privacy-focused users who want an ad-free experience.

Remember, if you ever need help cleaning up your computer, removing unwanted software, or setting up a secure browser, reach out to DarkHorse IT. We’re here to help with all your tech needs, big or small.

And hey, if you’re a long-time internet user like me, shout out to the days of Netscape Navigator—the browser that started it all!

Stay safe out there, and happy browsing!

Need Help with Your IT or Cybersecurity?
At DarkHorse IT, we’re here to make technology work for you—whether it’s securing your home network, protecting your business, or resolving those pesky tech issues. Let us handle the hard stuff so you can focus on what matters most.

📞 Call us today at 701-660-0909
🌐 Visit us online at darkhorseit.com
📍 Proudly serving Moorhead, Fargo, and the surrounding areas!

Stay secure, stay connected—trust DarkHorse IT, your local IT experts! 🐎✨

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