Search.viewsearch.net virus (Removal Guide) - Apr 2017 update

Search.viewsearch.net virus Removal Guide

What is Search.viewsearch.net virus?

Search.viewsearch.net: a nasty hijacker that just won’t leave your browser alone

Search.viewsearch.net virus is yet another infection specifically designed to infect Mac OS X operating systems and its supported browsers. Looking at its main characteristics, this browser hijacker [1] is almost identical to the ones that usually infect Windows: it enters computers through the so-called software “bundles” [2] and once it is in, starts making changes to the Internet browsers. Typically, Search.viewsearch.net hijack every browser that is installed on the infected computer. So, if you first notice Viewsearch on Safari, it will not be long until the virus spreads to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. What is more, since this hijacker is primarily targeted towards Macs, it is unlikely that it will attack Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. However, having in mind how unpredictable potentially unwanted programs [3] can be, Windows users should definitely keep an eye for this infection, too. There are numerous reasons why everyone infected with this virus should remove search.viewsearch.net from their computers. Keep reading if you want to find out more about this infection or simply skip to the end of the article where you will find recommendations on how to deal with its removal. In case you are already fed up with this virus and want it gone from your PC as soon as possible, remember that automatic antivirus utilities such as FortectIntego can significantly speed up the elimination process.

A screenshot of the Search.viewsearch.net browser hijacker virusSearch.viewsearch.net may look like a legitimate search engine, but it is actually an ad revenue-oriented website which will flood the search results with sponsored links and ads.

Creators of such programs like Search.viewsearch.net are occupied with one persistent obsession – advertising and the profit they can make out of it. They prioritize sponsored ads and links [4] over actually reliable search service that this search engine should supposedly provide. Thus, View Search results are in most respects quite useless. Moreover, these results can also have some dangerous undertones because you can never know with what companies or websites does a browser hijacker actually collaborate. You should be especially cautious of the Search.viewsearch.net redirect issue [5] which may result in you landing on really unfavorable domains. This only proves that such supposedly innocent hijack is capable of actually triggering a lot of trouble. Another aspect that justifies this idea is data tracking. Browser hijackers are especially interested in what you search for online, what pages you visit and what sites you view because this information helps generate more convincing and tempting ads, naturally, bringing more profit to the advertisers. Also, the hijacker may simply sell the gathered information to its affiliates and who knows where it’s going to be used next. So, don’t waste any more time, get your antivirus ready and jump straight to the Search.viewsearch.net removal.

Method of browser hijacker distribution

Such bogus Internet search engines like Search.viewsearch.net always have their official download sites where they are advertised as life-changing, must-have applications. Nevertheless, direct download is just one of the multiple ways browser hijackers can enter your computer. Often, they are distributed through fake software update installers but can also be distributed via “bundling”. Using this deceptive marketing method, the criminals can hide hijacker’s installation agreement in the setups of other freeware or shareware applications. To save your computer from Viewsearch, choose the advanced mode to when installing new programs and opt-out checkboxes allowing the suspicious search engine to change your regular search provider or homepage. Besides, irresponsible software installation can lead to much more serious infections than Search.viewsearch.net.

Search.viewsearch.net removal tutorial

Has Search.viewsearch.net virus already settled on your browser? Do not worry; you can stop this parasite from carrying out its suspicious activities on your computer by simply uninstalling it. The guidelines given below this article will help you remove Search.viewsearch.net from your computer manually. But there is always a chance some malicious component is left on your computer to assist the virus in bouncing back to your browser. If you want to get rid of this virus for good, you should carry out Search.viewsearch.net removal using professional, automatic antivirus utilities. A full system scan will pull the junk files out of their hiding spots and successfully remove them.

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.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Search.viewsearch.net virus. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Below you will find recommendations on how to remove Search.viewsearch.net virus from your computer without having to use additional software.

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

After you exterminate the Search.viewsearch.net PUP from your Mac, then comes the time to reset your web browsers. You will get back control of your Mozilla browser with the help of this guide:

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Since Chrome is supported by Mac OS X, this means it can be infected with Search.viewsearch.net. If this happens, please use the guide below to clean up this browser and reset its default settings. This is the only way you will be able to use it properly again.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. 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. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

You will remove Search.viewsearch.net from Safari browser using an elimination guide presented below. Just make sure you remove the PUP from your computer before you take up browser reset.

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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.viewsearch.net 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

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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References
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