IE redirect virus. How to delete? (Removal Guide)

In the evening after work, as usual, I sit down at the computer to check my email.

I turn on the computer - everything loads, Windows XP SP3. I was thinking about something while waiting for the OC to load, and after about 10 minutes I realized that the download would not take place. There is a screen saver on the monitor and nothing more...

I think we've finished the game 🙂
I press the magic key combination on the keyboardalt+ctrl+del . A window opensphew... even though the task manager is alive, I go into the processes and find that the process "explorer.exe" No.

I select the file in the task manager - execute "explorer.exe" . Reactions 0. Will have to reinstall Windows many will decide. But not in our case.

2 How to remove explorer exe virus

We have decided on the problem, now we need to restore this very "explorer.exe" . First, let's try to temporarily restore the graphical shell.

To do this, go to the task manager (key combination alt+ctrl+del ), click file - execute and type the command"compmgmt.msc" .

The computer control panel will open, in which we go to storage devices - disk management and right-click on any of the disks - click open.

Voila, icons and the start menu appeared. The icons appeared because when accessing a disk, in order to open it, the operating system must force the graphical shell to load.

Now the process will appear in the task manager "explorer.exe" , an error will also appear that will tell you that something is wrong. The computer works normally, but only temporarily.

If you reboot the computer process"explorer.exe" won't load again. Therefore, we move on to restore the process completely and irrevocably.

The first thing you will need to do is from a computer using the AVZ utility.

Download an antivirus, if it is not installed, if installed, then run a deep analysis or a thorough scan (depending on the antivirus, the function is called differently) to remove all the evil spirits you have picked up🙂 (viruses).

If you want to make the work of the antivirus easier, I give advice - clean the files"cookies" in your browser.

Also go to diskC:/Documents and Settings/your username/Local Settings (to see the last folder, select in the folder view settings” show hidden files and folders" ) in the last folder you will find two folders of interest to us, one "Temp" , second "Temporary Internet Files" .

Most viruses picked up from the Internet are stored in these folders; we clean them fully.

After completely cleaning your computer from viruses, you need to restore original file "explorer.exe" . It can be
or find the file on the Windows installation disk in the i386 folder"explorer.ex_" .

You can open it with the program Total commander, if you have difficulties with this, then just rename"explorer.ex_" to "explorer.exe" . The file itself explorer.exe It's best to save it to the root of the disk C:\ .

Next, find the location of your"explorer.exe" on diskC:\ . To do this we open Search and on the system drive in the Windows folder, look for "explorer.exe". Most likely you will have it either in the root of the folderWITH:\ Windows , orWITH:\ Windows\system32 . The location of the file must be clarified!

Copy the address of the process location "explorer.exe" .

Click Start - Run, type the command "regedit" ( registry editor ), we find there key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon "Shell" , in him we register our way to "explorer.exe" ( For example C:\WINDOWS\system32\explorer.exe ).

The most necessary, most frequently used programs on a computer/laptop are various browsers. Through them, the user accesses the Internet, receives, downloads information, distributes it, and forwards it to other users. Therefore, viruses have appeared that specifically infect browsers without affecting other programs. Anti-virus programs often do not notice such viruses, meanwhile the user receives a lot of advertising and pop-up banners because of them, the OS slows down, transitions to the desired site are blocked, and redirects to other sites occur. These and other problems associated with browser viruses can be fixed by cleaning the Yandex browser, Google Chrome, IE and others. Let's look at what it is ad virus in browsers, how to remove it safely, effectively.

There are many of them, let’s name the most common ones.

• The appearance of obsessive advertising banners, teasers, links with offers to sell or buy. Moreover, advertising appears on website pages where it did not exist before.
• Requests appear to confirm some information with advice, requests to send SMS to short numbers on a variety of sites, including popular ones (the virus replaces the site address).
• Many windows appear with messages about imminent blocking.
• Windows exit with a message about the need to check and install a new flash player.
• Opening various erotic pictures and videos in the browser.
• Tabs and windows in the browser open randomly, often unnoticed; you can see the tab only after closing the main browser window.

Routes of infection

• Typically, infection occurs when downloading programs using installer files with the .exe extension. Having launched the installer, you see a proposal to install the program itself or download it, and at the same time you receive several modules and add-ons.
• Some programs have an adware module built into them and offer add-ons - this is how an adware virus can get to you.
• Viruses are acquired when visiting dubious sites, usually erotic or phishing. Sometimes links come through mailings, on social networks from complete strangers.

Antivirus programs do not guarantee 100% protection; however, without them, the risk increases many times over. By constantly updating them and the OS itself, you increase protection against all kinds of virus attacks.

Removing a browser virus

If you caught an adware virus in your browser, how to remove it? In many ways, your actions depend on the specific virus that has entered the browser. However there is universal methods that help in such situations. We offer you step-by-step instructions, we advise you to do everything exactly in the specified order.

Checking with an antivirus program

Of course, antivirus programs are unlikely to help you get rid of browser viruses, but the presence of symptoms indicates that another virus could have entered the system, so it is first recommended to clean it using a standard full scan with your existing antivirus.

Checking browser add-ons

Open the Yandex browser, Google Chrome, go to add-ons. (“Tools” - “Add-ons”). See if there are any suspicious ones that were not installed by you. If you see unfamiliar ones, delete them.

On Firefox browsers and Opera press Ctrl+Shift+A, then go through “Tools” to “Add-ons”.

Checking applications

If you see suspicious programs in the list that appears, remove them.

Checking with utilities

As mentioned above, antivirus programs do not find all the teasers and advertising “garbage” that have landed on the computer. If you have an advertising virus in your browser, how to remove it, because constant intrusive advertising interferes with the work on the browser?

It’s better to use two special utilities to check. We recommend checking with both utilities, they will clean your device effectively, ads will be removed, you will be surprised how much garbage there is on your computer/laptop. Download utilities from the developer’s website, install them, and scan your device with them.

The utility will help solve the question of how to remove a virus from the Google Chrome browser and from many other browsers. AdwCleaner will quickly scan your browser for suspicious, malicious scripts, applications, and help eliminate them; you can also clean up advertising junk, files, shortcuts, system registry. Supports different browsers: IE, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Yandex.

Malwarebytes

A program that cleans junk from a computer/laptop. Allows you to scan your device in different modes. There is paid content, but for a full test the free version is sufficient.

Checking the hosts file

Some viruses replace hosts file, writing lines in your version of the file that change your connection to sites. As a result, when you open a popular site, you end up on a scam site, made in a similar way, but inviting you to send an SMS to short number To confirm any information, they offer a subscription. At sending SMS Money is withdrawn from your phone.

• The hosts file is located at the following address: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.

• This file can be restored to its original version different ways. The most effective is cleaning in AVZ antivirus. The same antivirus helps clean the device from various Trojans, email worms and other “garbage”.
• After opening the program, go to the “File” menu, go to “System Restore”.

• Having seen the list for recovery, find the line “Cleaning the hosts file”, check the box, click “Run”.

• Within 10 seconds the file will be restored.

If AVZ antivirus does not work on your device (incompatible) or there is no way to download it, you can restore the hosts using Notepad.

• Open Notepad with administrator rights, to do this, open the Run window by pressing Win + R, type notepad in the line, press Enter.
• In notepad, go to “File” - “Open”.
• Enter the above path to the hosts file.
• When the folder opens, enter the name hosts in the line and click “Open”.
• Remove all entries below line 127.0.0.1.

Be sure to scroll down the entire file to make sure that nothing is written below this line.

Checking browser shortcuts

The virus can enter malicious commands into the browser shortcut. To check, right-click on the shortcut and go to “Properties”.

Look at how the browser is written in the “Object” line. The entry should look like this: C:\ProgramFiles (x86)\MozillaFirefox\firefox.exe.

If, instead of program files, the address leads to Documents and Settings, at the end you see a strange entry instead of the browser executable, which means the shortcut is damaged by a virus. Delete the shortcut, create a new one.

Yandex

Some browsers have their own “tricks” and features. Let's look at how to remove a virus from the Yandex browser. We recommend two ways.

• The most effective is to remove Yandex.Browser, then reinstall it again.
• In your browser, go to “Tools” - “Settings”.

• Next, select “JavaScript Settings”. Go to "JavaScript Settings" or to the folder user files. Empty the folder of all contents.

Got a virus in your browser and now ads keep popping up? It's terribly annoying. Yes, and curing a browser from viruses is not so easy. They still need to be found, and many modern antiviruses simply do not see this infection. Actually, that’s why you see pop-up windows, and also advertising pages that constantly open (for example, Vulcan or other casinos).

So what should you do if your browser is infected with a virus? Find and get rid of it :) Especially for this purpose, below are 6 effective ways how to remove a virus from a browser. And as a bonus - a couple useful tips on how to protect your computer or laptop from re-infection.

How can you tell if your browser has been infected? This can be seen by the following symptoms:

Where do viruses come from in the browser?

Modern users very often install games, programs, extensions and do not even look at what they are installing. Just click “Next, next, done” - and now another adware virus has quietly crept into your Windows system. As a result, pop-up windows appear, advertising pages open, etc.

And in 99% of cases the user himself is to blame. Why? Yes, because usually browser virus treatment is required after:

You can also add the lack of antivirus on your PC or laptop. Of course, it won’t protect you from all viruses, but it will still detect and remove some. And if you think with your head and manually check suspicious files with an antivirus, this will help you avoid many problems. You can be sure of this.

How to clean your browser from viruses and advertising

We’ve sorted out the causes and symptoms of viruses, now let’s move on to the main thing. So, how to get rid of adware in your browser? It all depends on what kind of infection you caught. However, below is step-by-step instruction, by completing which you can cure your browser from various ad viruses.

It is universal and suitable for any Internet browser - Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Yandex Browser, Microsoft Edge. So all users can use it.

So, to get rid of viruses in your browser, follow these steps:

Run a full antivirus scan of your PC or laptop

Check your browser add-ons

Some extensions install themselves. Therefore, go to your browser and check if there are add-ons that you did not install. It is also recommended to delete those that you do not use.

Check installed applications

To open them, go to Start - Control Panel - Programs and Features.

Sometimes malicious modules are installed as regular software (for example, Webalta). To remove a virus that runs ads in your browser, you just need to find it and remove it from this list.

Check your browser shortcut

If, after launching it, the page of Vulcan or another advertising site immediately opens, then most likely the problem lies in the shortcut. Sometimes viruses write in the shortcut properties (in the “Object” field) the address of the site, which opens when the browser starts. To resolve this issue, delete the shortcut and create a new one.

Check the hosts file

Also, many viruses edit this file. As a result, when you open a popular website, another one opens (outwardly it looks the same, and you won’t notice the difference). And then messages appear asking you to send SMS, pop-ups, aggressive advertising, etc. There are two ways to remove this adware virus. The first is using the AVZ antivirus utility. And the second one is done manually. For this:

1. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
2. Open the hosts file using notepad.
3. Remove extra lines. A normal hosts file should look like this:

Programs to clean your browser from viruses

There are also special programs to remove viruses in the browser. They see what antivirus programs missed and help get rid of malicious adware.

AdwCleaner

First great program to clean the browser from advertising and viruses – AdwCleaner (link to the official website).

This utility will perform a quick search for viruses in the browser and find all advertising toolbars, banners, and malicious scripts. It can also clean shortcuts, files and the registry.

Malwarebytes

Another effective program for cleaning browsers from viruses. It will quickly scan your PC or laptop and help you get rid of pop-ups and annoying ads (link to official website). It has more than enough capabilities to find a virus in your browser and remove it.

Browser protection from ads and viruses

And finally, as promised, I will give some useful tips on how to protect your browser from viruses:

1. Install an antivirus on your laptop or PC. It can be free. The main thing is to remember to update it (or turn on auto-update). In half the cases, it will help you remove the virus from your browser. Or rather, to prevent infection. I recommend reading: .
2. Install a program to remove adware viruses. What antiviruses will miss, they will notice special utilities like AdwCleaner or HitmanPRO. With this combination, no infection will simply get onto your PC. And for your own peace of mind, periodically run a browser scan for viruses (for example, once a month).
3. Install a browser extension to block ads. It can be Adblock or Adguard - at your discretion. And if you want to disable advertising on your favorite website or blog (in order to support its owner financially), just add this web resource to the exception.

And most importantly: think with your head! Do not download suspicious exe files (especially if you need a movie in avi or mkv format), do not follow unknown links, and do not go to dubious sites.

As they say, the most best antivirus– the one who sits on the other side of the monitor :) That is, the user. If you violate the rules described above, then no antivirus will help you. You need to be extremely careful on the Internet - remember this!

Internet Explorer redirect virus, also known as Internet Explorer hijacker, is a term used to refer to a computer infection that can take over your browser and change its settings without your permission. Browser hijackers are not malicious threats, however they still cause a lot of trouble when they gain access to your system. They can not only change your settings, but also insert ads into the sites you visit, redirect you in the middle of your surfing, slow down your Internet connection, track your cookies and much more. There is no doubt that these programs will lower your online browsing quality and level of security. You don't have to tolerate any of that. We recommend stopping the Internet Explorer redirect virus as soon as you can.

Our recommended software:

SpyHunter4 Anti-Malware Plumbytes Anti-Malware

How does the Internet Explorer redirect virus work?

Internet Explorer redirect virus is not the only one of its kind. Browser hijackers are usually compatible with all major browsers, so there are infections such as Google Chrome redirect virus, Mozilla Firefox redirect virus and similar ones as well. The main symptom of the hijacker is that it changes your browser settings, including your home page, new tab page, and default search provider. These settings change for several reasons. Your new home page may include advertisements for the hijacker's sponsors, while the new search engine may show you results that are filled with commercial data.

As you already know, the main purpose of the application is to generate web traffic and it uses various tricks in order to do this. In addition to changing your settings, you will encounter advertising content in the form of pop-ups, banners and other advertisements placed on your screen, no matter where you go on the Internet. You also get redirected to unknown sites in the middle of your browsing. Due to this unnecessary activity, your online browsing speed will noticeably slow down. Your computer may run slower than usual as well. If you want to get rid of these annoying symptoms, we recommend that you remove Internet Explorer redirect virus immediately.

How to remove Internet Explorer redirect virus?

In order to eliminate the Internet Explorer redirect virus manually, you must remove software with which it got installed on your computer and restore your browser settings. If you are not sure how to do this, you can follow the instructions provided below in the article. If, on the other hand, you want to go with a more effective solution, you should erase Internet Explorer redirect virus automatically. The anti-malware application on our page will scan your system and identify all potential threats. It will then remove the Internet Explorer redirect virus along with other potentially unwanted files and programs. In addition to the Internet Explorer removal virus redirection security software will also keep your computer safe in the future by protecting it from various infections that you may catch online.

Windows OS affected by Internet Explorer Redirect Virus

• Windows 10 25%
• Windows 8 30%
• Windows 7 20%
• Windows Vista 5%
• Windows XP 20%

Warning! Multiple antivirus scanners have simply detected the possibility of malware associated with Internet Explorer Redirect Virus.

Anti-Virus Software	Version	Detection
Qihoo-360	1.0.0.1015	Win32/Virus.RiskTool.Internet Explorer Redirect Virus
McAfee-GW-Edition	2013
K7 AntiVirus	9.179.12403	Unwanted-Program (Internet Explorer Redirect Virus)
Kingsoft AntiVirus	2013.4.9.267
NANO AntiVirus	0.26.0.55366	Trojan.Win32.Searcher.Internet Explorer Redirect Virus
VIPRE Antivirus	22224	Internet Explorer Redirect Virus.Generic
Malwarebytes	v2013.10.29.10
Tencent	1.0.0.1	Win32.Internet Explorer Redirect Virus
Malwarebytes	1.75.0.1	PUP.Optional.Internet Explorer Redirect Virus
McAfee	5.600.0.1067	Win32.Application.Internet Explorer Redirect Virus

Internet Explorer Redirect Virus global trends by country

Our recommended software:

There are not many good anti-malware software"s with high detection ratio. Our malware research team recommend to run several applications, not just one. These anti-malware software"s which listed below will help you to remove all pc threats like.

SpyHunter4 Anti-Malware Plumbytes Anti-Malware

Find out how to remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from your computer

Step 1. Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus and associated programs

a) Windows XP

b) Windows 7 and Vista

c) Windows 8/10

d) Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Mac OS x

1. Access applications through the Go button, which can be located on the top left side of the screen. 2. Look in the folder and find Internet Explorer Redirect Virus and any other suspicious applications. Select all the entries and drag them to the trash icon on the dock. Alternatively, right-click on all the items you want to delete and select Move to Trash.
3. Empty Trash by right-clicking on the icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.

Step 2. Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Your Browsers

a) Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Internet Explorer

b) Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Mozilla Firefox

c) Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Google Chrome

d) Remove Internet Explorer Redirect Virus from Microsoft Edge

Our recommended software:

There are not many good anti-malware software"s with high detection ratio. Our malware research team recommend to run several applications, not just one. These anti-malware software"s which listed below will help you to remove all pc threats like.

SpyHunter4 Anti-Malware Plumbytes Anti-Malware

As soon as the adware notices that Internet access is open, it immediately tries to launch the browser and open one or another advertising site in it. Moreover, immediately after loading one site, another opens, and if you do not constantly close the advertising windows, then after some time, the malicious activity of the ad virus will cause the web browser or your computer to simply freeze.

Therefore, if when you open any page, even one on which you have not seen advertising before, you are greeted by a large number of banners and pop-up advertisements, or when you turn on your computer, the browser starts on its own, immediately showing an advertising site unknown to you, then this only means one thing: your Personal Computer an ad virus has penetrated. You need to check your computer as quickly as possible, find and remove adware, as its presence can lead to slow operation operating system, slower loading of websites, freezing of web browsers, and even theft of your personal information and data that you enter in your Internet browser.

How to remove an ad virus

Without any doubt, an adware virus harms your computer. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly and most importantly completely remove adware. To get rid of the adware virus you need to follow step by step guide which is given below. You will need to use several free programs designed specifically to combat malware and adware, as well as perform a few simple steps with the operating system settings and installed internet browsers.

We strongly recommend that you follow all the steps, since each part of the instruction is important in its own way, and only by completing it completely can you be sure that your computer has been cleaned of adware and is protected from possible adware infections in the future. You may need to restart your computer or browser while following these instructions, so we recommend that you print this guide or bookmark this page. If during the process of removing an ad virus you have questions or something doesn’t work out, just write to us about it. We will be happy to advise and help cure your computer.

Remove adware using Control Panel

The process of removing adware from an infected computer is the same for all versions of the operating system. Windows systems, starting with Windows XP and ending with Windows 10. First of all, you need to check the list installed programs on your computer and remove all unknown, unnecessary and suspicious applications.

Windows 95, 98, XP, Vista, 7

Click on the Start button. In the menu that opens, click on Control Panel. As shown below.

Windows 8

Click on the Windows button.

In the upper right corner, find and click on the Search icon.

In the input field type Control Panel.

Press Enter.

Windows 10

Click on the search button

In the input field type Control Panel.

Press Enter.

The Control Panel will open and select “Uninstall a program.”

A window will open showing a list of all installed programs. Look in it for programs whose names include the name of advertising sites or sites that open independently when you turn on the computer. To speed up your search for adware, we recommend that you sort the list of installed programs by installation date.

Once you have found suspicious program, select it and press the button Delete/Change.

Then simply follow the Windows instructions. If there are no suspicious programs in the list or the adware is not removed, then try using a free program.

Remove ad virus from browser using AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is free program does not require installation on a computer. It can check the operating system for adware, potentially unnecessary programs, applications that change the settings of Internet browsers, after which it can easily remove them. Moreover, AdwCleaner has the ability to detect and remove malicious and adware extensions in the most common browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Yandex and Edge.

Download AdwCleaner using the following link.

Download AdwCleaner
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Select your Desktop as the folder where this program will be saved. If you do not do this, by default, the AdwCleaner program will be written to the Downloads folder. When the program has finished downloading, launch it. You will see the main AdwCleaner window similar to the one below.

Click the "Scan" button to begin searching for adware and other malware on your computer. Depending on the number of files on your hard drive, the speed of your processor and other factors, the scanning process can last from 5 minutes to several tens of minutes. While scanning your computer, the program will show how many threats (adware and malware components) have already been found. Once the scan is complete, you will see a list of malware and adware components found, similar to the example shown in the following figure.

To remove detected threats, click the “Clean” button. This will start the process of transferring ad virus and malware components to quarantine. If AdwCleaner asks you to restart your computer, then allow the program to do so.

Use Zemana Anti-malware to remove adware virus

Zemana Anti-malware is an application that is not as widely known as AdwCleaner, but nevertheless has no less capabilities in finding and removing ad viruses and malware. Moreover, unlike AdwCleaner, Zemana actively uses cloud technologies, which allows you to reduce the size of the installer, as well as improve the ability to detect various adware, even those that are constantly changed by its authors in order to make it difficult for antiviruses to detect and remove it.

Download Zemana AntiMalware from the link below and save it to your Desktop.

Download Zemana AntiMalware
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When the download process is complete, run the file you downloaded. You will see the Installation Wizard window, just follow its instructions.

Once the Zemana Anti-Malware installation is complete, open the main program window.

To scan your computer, find and then remove adware and other malware, you need to click the “Scan” button. Scanning a computer takes on average 10-30 minutes. The fewer files on the computer and the greater its performance, the faster the scan will be performed. During the scanning process, Zemana Anti-Malware will show the number of files that need to be scanned, as well as a list of malware and adware components found.

When the scan is complete, click Next to remove the detected ad viruses and malware and quarantine them.

Get rid of adware with Malwarebytes

If you did not find adware in the list of installed programs, and the AdwCleaner and Zemana Anti-malware utilities did not help you remove the adware virus, then we recommend checking your computer using the well-known Malwarebytes Free program. In addition, even if the previous steps of this instruction helped get rid of intrusive advertising, then anyway, you should check the system using this program. Malwarebytes Free is an application designed to search for and remove various malware and adware, viruses, bootkits, ransomware, etc. This program does not conflict with classic antivirus, so you can safely install and run it.

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
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Version: 3.7.1

Once the download process is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the Program Installation Wizard window. Just follow his instructions.

When the installation process of the Malwarebytes program on your computer is completed, the main window of the program will open in front of you.

Malwarebytes will automatically start the update process, please do not interrupt it. When the update is complete, click on the “Run scan” button. This will start the process of searching for malware and adware on your computer. This process can last from several tens of minutes to half an hour. In some cases, when there are a lot of files on the computer or the operating system speed is not high, the scanning procedure may take about 1 hour.

Once the scan of your computer is complete, Malwarebytes Anti-malware will show you a list of adware and other malware components found.

To remove detected malware and adware, simply click the “Quarantine selected items” button. This will start the cleaning process on your computer. During the cleaning process, you may need to restart your computer. This is ok, let the program do it.

Remove adware in Chrome by resetting browser settings

Resetting Chrome settings is an easy way to get rid of the consequences of your browser being infected by an ad virus or malicious extension. With its help, you can also restore your home page and default search engine. Even if, after completing the previous steps, you do not observe any manifestations of adware activity, we recommend that you complete this step.

Run Google browser Chrome, after which you need to open its main menu. To do this, click on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). You will see a menu like the following picture.

Here click on the “Settings” item. You will see a page that allows you to change basic Chrome settings. Scroll down until you see the “Show advanced settings” link. Click on it. A list will open on the same page additional settings. Scroll down the page again until you see the Reset Settings button. You need to press it. The browser will ask you to confirm your actions.

Confirm your actions by clicking on the “Reset” button. Chrome will begin the factory reset process. This will restore your browser to its original settings and help you get rid of the effects of adware infection.

Reset Firefox to remove adware

Resetting Firefox settings is a built-in procedure that will allow you to remove the consequences of an adware virus and restore the changed browser settings to their default values. I want to emphasize that during the process of resetting your settings, your personal data will not be affected, bookmarks and passwords will be saved.

If Mozilla Firefox is not running, then first of all you need to open the browser. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). A menu will open in which you need to click on the icon in the form of a question mark (). Another small “Help” menu will open, an example of which is shown in the figure below.

Find the “Problem Solving Information” item and click on it. It will open in a browser window new page. In its upper right part, find the “Customize Firefox” section and click on the “Clean Firefox” button. Firefox will ask you to confirm your actions.

Click the "Reset Firefox" button to confirm that you want to reset your browser settings. As a result, Firefox settings will be reset to their original settings, which will allow you to get rid of the consequences of browser infection by adware or malware.

Remove adware in Internet Explorer by resetting browser settings

Resetting Internet Explorer settings is a convenient way to remove the effects of an adware virus on the browser and restore its original settings.

In the window that opens, select the “Advanced” tab, and in it click on the “Reset” button. A small “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box will open in front of you. You need to check the box “Delete personal settings”, then click the Reset button. Do not forget, if necessary, to do backup copy your bookmarks.

The browser will begin the reset procedure. When it is completed, simply click on the “Close” button. Unlike other browsers, you need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Thanks to these steps, you will be able to restore the normal operation of Internet Explorer, which was disrupted by the malicious actions of an adware virus.

Restore shortcuts modified by adware

While the adware virus is active on the computer, in addition to the fact that it shows a large number annoying advertising, it can also change the shortcuts of programs located on the Desktop and the Start menu. Most often, adware simply adds an argument like “http://address of the advertising site/” to the Shortcut Object field of all Internet browsers, but there are cases when, instead of the browser executable file, it installs a completely different file. The goal of these shortcut changes is to force the user to view ads every time they open the browser.

To clear infected shortcuts, you need to right-click on it and select “Properties”. A window will open in front of you as in the example below.

Here, open the “Shortcut” tab and find the “Object” field. You need to click inside it with the left mouse button, a vertical line will appear - the cursor pointer, use the cursor keys (right arrow on the keyboard) to move it as far as possible to the right. If you see that text in the form “http://address.advertising.site” has been added here, then it needs to be deleted.

After you have deleted the address added by the ad virus, simply click on the “OK” button. Similarly, check and cure all shortcuts that, when double-clicked, automatically open various advertising sites.

Remove adware from task scheduler

At the last stage of removing adware and other malware from the infected computer, you need to pay attention to the Task Scheduler, check the Task Scheduler Library and delete all tasks that were added by adware, since they can automatically open various advertising sites and download to the computer new malware and adware.

Find the Windows (Windows logo button) and R (Russian K) keys on your keyboard. Press these buttons at the same time. You will be shown a small dialog box with the title “Run”. In the input line, enter “taskschd.msc” (without quotes), then press Enter. Launch Task Scheduler. On the left side of its window, select “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown in the example below.

In the middle part of the Task Scheduler window you will be shown a list of installed tasks. Start with the top, first task on the list. Select it by clicking the left mouse button. A little lower its properties will open. Here, select the Actions tab. You need to look through all the jobs one by one to find the one that was created by an adware virus or other malware. To find a malicious task, look at what it is doing on your computer. If you see something like “explorer.exe hxxp://site address” or “chrome.exe hxxp://site address,” then you can safely delete such a task. If you are not sure what a particular task does, check it through our website or in search engine, by the name of the file being launched. If a task tries to run a file about which there is information that it is a virus, then obviously this task also needs to be deleted.

To delete a task created by adware or malware, you need to right-click on it and select “Delete”. Repeat this for all jobs created by malware and adware. An example of deleting a task created by an adware virus is shown in the figure below.

After removing all malicious jobs, close the Task Scheduler.

Block ads

We recommend installing an ad blocker that will help you block ads, including those generated by adware. An ad blocker, such as AdGuard, is a program that will remove ads from sites you visit and block malicious and misleading pages from loading in your web browser. Moreover, computer security experts recommend using ad blockers to protect yourself as much as possible online.

Click the Skip button to close the installation program and use the standard settings, or the Get Started button to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the AdGuard ad blocker.

Now, every time you turn on your computer, the AdGuard ad blocker will launch automatically and block ads, pop-ups, and the loading of malicious or misleading websites. You can get acquainted with all the features of this ad blocker at any time, just double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your Desktop.

How your computer became infected with an adware virus

The infection process is as follows. You are looking for the program you need using Yandex or Google. Click on the first suitable link and you will be taken to a large hosting file. This site certainly does not raise any suspicions. Next, you click again to download the file you need. So, the file that you downloaded is not the program itself, but its installer. When launched, it installs not only the application you need, but also an adware virus. Most often, installing these additional programs you can turn it off, just carefully read everything that will be shown to you at all stages of the installation. Forget about automatically clicking the Next button!