Wave Browser is not a virus, but many people treat it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). It is a working Chromium-based browser for Windows and Mac, yet Malwarebytes detects it as PUP.Optional.Wave, and users often find it on their computer without remembering installing it. Our verdict: if you did not choose Wave Browser yourself, remove it; if you did, it is usable, but established browsers give you the same features with fewer trade-offs.
What is Wave Browser?
Wave Browser is built on Chromium, the same open-source core as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. As of October 2026 it is still actively marketed for Windows and macOS, with an ad blocker, a "Threat Shield" against risky sites and extensions, tab organization tools and an AI assistant called Wave PRO AI. Its pitch is environmental: Wave says it uses its revenue to fund ocean cleanup with its partner 4ocean.
That revenue comes mainly from search. Searches in Wave go to Yahoo by default, and Wave says it earns money through search engine and other partnerships. You can change the search engine in settings.
Potential Issues with Wave Browser
How it gets installed:
Many people say they never installed Wave on purpose. It is commonly reported to arrive through online ads or bundled with other free software, when an installer is clicked through quickly.
Security software flags it:
Malwarebytes classifies Wave Browser as PUP.Optional.Wave. That label means potentially unwanted, not malicious: the program is not designed to damage your computer, but it may arrive without clear consent or change settings you did not ask to change.
Unwanted changes:
Users commonly report Wave setting itself as the default browser, starting automatically with Windows and changing their search engine. These changes are annoying rather than dangerous, but they make the browser hard to ignore.
Privacy:
A browser whose income depends on search partnerships has a reason to keep you searching through it. Read Wave's privacy policy before you keep it, especially if it arrived without your choice.
The developer's side:
Wave says its current Windows and macOS releases are certified by AppEsteem, an organization that checks consumer software for clear disclosures, user consent, installation behavior and easy uninstallation.
How to Stay Safe
If Wave Browser is on your device and you do not want it, here is how to remove it completely.
Uninstall it on Windows 11 or 10:
Close Wave, open Settings, go to Apps, then Installed apps (Apps & features on Windows 10), find Wave Browser and choose Uninstall.
Remove leftovers on Windows:
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and disable any Wave entries under Startup apps. In Task Scheduler, delete any tasks whose names start with Wave. Then check your user's AppData\Local folder (type %LocalAppData% in File Explorer) and Program Files for a leftover Wave folder and delete it.
Uninstall it on a Mac:
Quit Wave, drag it from Applications to the Trash, remove it under System Settings, General, Login Items, and delete any Wave folder in ~/Library/Application Support.
Reset your defaults:
Set your preferred browser again (Settings, Apps, Default apps on Windows; System Settings, Desktop & Dock on a Mac), then check your remaining browsers for search engine changes or extensions you did not install.
Run a scan:
Scan with Microsoft Defender or Malwarebytes to catch anything that came with the same installer.
Stick to trusted browsers:
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Brave and DuckDuckGo are developed in the open by well-known companies and receive regular security updates. If privacy is your goal, see our list of the best browsers for privacy.
Final Thoughts
Wave Browser is not malware, and its current releases appear to follow stricter installer rules than in the past. But it is still classified as a potentially unwanted program, it often arrives without a clear choice, and its business model rests on search deals. If you did not install it deliberately, uninstall it and clean up the leftovers. If you want a free, private browser, Brave, Firefox or DuckDuckGo are safer picks.
FAQ
Is Wave Browser the same as Chrome?
No. Wave is built on Chromium, the open-source project behind Chrome, so it looks and works much like Chrome, but it is a separate product from a different company, with its own default search engine, features and business model.
Is Wave Browser a virus?
No. Wave Browser is not a virus, but security tools such as Malwarebytes classify it as a potentially unwanted program because of how it is often installed and the settings it changes.
How did Wave Browser get on my computer?
Usually through an ad or a bundled installer: it is offered alongside free software and installed when people accept the default options. Always choose custom installation and untick extra offers when installing free programs.
How do I remove Wave Browser?
On Windows, uninstall it from Settings, Apps, Installed apps, then disable its startup entries, delete its scheduled tasks and remove any leftover Wave folder in %LocalAppData%. On a Mac, drag it to the Trash and remove it from Login Items. Finish with a Microsoft Defender or Malwarebytes scan.
How do I stop Wave Browser from popping up?
Disable Wave in Task Manager under Startup apps on Windows or in Login Items on a Mac, delete its tasks in Task Scheduler, and set another browser as your default. If it keeps returning, uninstall it completely and run a malware scan.
How do I get rid of Wave Browser for good?
Uninstall it, delete its startup entries, scheduled tasks and leftover folders, and run a malware scan. To stop it coming back, avoid "free download" buttons on ad-heavy sites and choose custom installation so you can untick bundled offers.
