Search.ssoextension.com virus (Tutorial) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.ssoextension.com virus Removal Guide
What is Search.ssoextension.com virus?
Search.ssoextension.com works as an advertising tool
Search.ssoextension.com is a browser hijacker that is promoted as a legitimate search engine. It might hijack your homepage after incorrect installation of free software and cause numerous negative features when browsing the Internet.
This potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] is designed to take over the web browsers and take full control over them. The hijacker might alter Windows Registry, shortcuts and browser’s settings in order to run with system startup and prevent users from eliminating it.
Indeed, replacing this URL with your preferred one is not enough. In order to get back access to your browser, you need to locate and delete hijacker. However, it might be a complicated task because it might have installed numerous additional components in the system.
Thus, you may have to remove Search.ssoextension.com with the help of FortectIntego. Of course, you can use your preferred anti-malware to clean your computer and protect your PC from negative consequences.
The hijacker alters browser’s settings to display commercial content. It might deliver various types of online ads, initiate redirects and even modify search results.
Search.ssoextension.com works as an advertising tool. Instead of providing organic and relevant links on the results page, it might include useless sponsored links. Nevertheless, this activity is not beneficial to users; developers generate revenue by boosting traffic to particular sites.
What is more, the hijacker might use even more aggressive strategy to force users to visit affiliate's sites. It might initiate redirects to sponsored sites out of sudden. However, currently, hijacker has been spotted redirecting to its additional sites http://startup.ssoextension.com/, http://suggest.ssoextension.com/, and http://homepage.ssoextension.com/.
Since the appearance of this suspicious search tool, you might also notice an increased amount of online ads. Indeed, the hijacker helps to generate pay-per-click revenue for the developers by displaying many different ads.
However, you should not click any suspicious links or ads because they might hide dangers. They might redirect to potentially dangerous websites where you may suffer from various cyber crimes.
Thus, Search.ssoextension.com removal is recommended in order to minimize the risk of serious cyber attack and get back access to your browser.
Distribution of the browser hijacker
Developers of the Search.ssoextension.com use a traditional PUP distribution method – bundling. This technique allows adding hijacker in software packages.[2] Thus, when installing freeware or shareware, you have to be careful.
To avoid undesired apps, you have to choose “Advanced” or “Custom” settings. Attentively follow each of the steps and look up for the list of third-party programs. Once you discover it, untick all pre-selected entries.
Here, it’s important not to rush because you might overlook pre-selected agreement to make Search.ssoextension.com your default search engine.
Unfortunately, the majority of users rely on “Standard” or “Quick” installation wizard. It’s a huge mistake because these settings do not openly disclose about third-party software. As a result, all PUPs includes in a bundle are allowed to enter the system.
Thus, if you were wondering when Search.ssoextension.com hijack may have occurred, you should think about recently installed software. It may have brought it to the PC.
Terminate Search.ssoextension.com from the computer
There are two ways how you can remove Search.ssoextension.com entirely – manual and automatic.
The manual removal requires to dedicate a little bit of time and put some effort in order to get rid of all hijacker-related entries. By following instructions below, you will have to uninstall all suspicious programs from your PC and web browsers.
We recommend checking the instructions first. If they are clear, you should not have any difficulties with Search.ssoextension.com removal. Otherwise, you should opt for the second elimination option.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Search.ssoextension.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Manual removal guidelines are presented below. Please follow the carefully.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Follow the steps below to remove hijacker-related entries from the computer and fix Microsoft Edge after the hijack.
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Open the list of Firefox extensions and look up for suspicious entries that might be related to Search.ssoextension.com virus. Uninstall them and reset the browser.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
These instructions will help you to get rid of all hijacker-related components from Chrome.
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Search.ssoextension.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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- ^ Vangie Beal. PUP - potentially unwanted program. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary for IT Professionals.
- ^ Pre-installed software. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.