Remove MediaGet Toolbar (Virus Removal Guide)

MediaGet – a browser hijacker that affects Google Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers

MediaGet virus

MediaGet is a potentially unwanted application^[1] that changes the settings of all installed browsers, including the addition of the MediaGet toolbar and the alternative search engine Mediaget Customized Web Search. The browser hijacker usually enters machines via software bundling when users install shareware or freeware carelessly. As soon as MediaGet toolbar settles, users start experiencing unpleasant effects of the hijacker – their web browsing sessions are interrupted continuously by intrusive ads and frequent redirects to questionable sites. While this activity can be noticed straight away, some features of the PUP are not that apparent (for example, information gathering).

SUMMARY
Name	MediaGet
Type	Browser hijacker/Potentially unwanted program
Distribution	Software bundling, suspicious sites
Symptoms	Altered browser settings, intrusive ads and redirects, etc.
Main dangers	Malware infiltration, data leek
Elimination	For quick solution, use Fortect Intego. Alternatively you can make use of our manual instructions below

Potentially unwanted programs like MediaGet are a big problem for the users, as many are not aware of how they enter computers, neither how to get rid of them altogether. It is not surprising, as many adware and browser hijacking tools often lack the uninstallation executable. Even if it present, the altered search engine and homepage do not return to the previous stage. Thus, the only way to recover a normal operation of the machine is to remove MediaGet virus and reset each of the browsers individually.

PUPs can often inject additional apps that that are not needed by the user. The problem is that some of these applications are hard to detect. For that reason, security experts^[2] recommend using security software to perform MediaGet removal automatically. We recommend using Fortect Intego for the purpose, although other security software can be used as well.

Most users who are affected by MediaGet will be concerned that their browsing sessions are being ruined by constant redirects, fake search results, and pop-up ads. However, the main danger in such behavior is the malware infection. Unfortunately, MediaGet authors do not check the domains their application can redirect users to, and refrain from any responsibility for it. Thus, legally, the victim cannot demand any compensation for lost data or similar issues.

Additionally, MediaGet toolbar may gather the following information about its users:

IP address;
Geolocation;
Technical data;
Sites visited;
Search data;
Links clicked, etc.

This data is harvested using tracking technologies like cookies^[3] and used in marketing campaigns, for example, targeted advertisement. Unfortunately, these personalized ads might bring users to phishing sites where they can easily lose money or insert personal information that can be used by cybercriminals.

MediaGet browser hijacker

Avoid PUPs by carefully installing new software

As we already mentioned, potentially unwanted applications usually are included within installers of freeware and shareware. While security experts argue whether or not the bundling technique is acceptable, it is widely used among many software developers. Why? Because it is effective and benefits both parties – freeware authors and the PUP creators. Unfortunately, no benefits are left for the end user, as he or she is being used in the big scheme just to gain more revenue.

Thus, we suggest you being wise and carefully check the installation of the new software. First of all, make sure you pick a legitimate source. Third-party websites often use modified installers which include additional components. Secondly, do not rush the installation, and read through ToS and Privacy policy – a lot can be learned there. Finally, opt for Advanced or Custom installation mode and eliminate all the marks from the pre-ticked boxes.

Eliminate MediaGet from your computer

If you want to remove MediaGet virus from your computer and fix each of hijacked web browsers, you should use our manual instructions below this article. However, make sure that you proceed with caution, as incorrect elimination might damage your system instead of fixing it. Additionally, this method will not protect your the future infections.

We highly recommend you to scan your machine using reputable repair software after MediaGet removal is performed. There are several traces that the PUP might have left, like corrupt Registry entries, altered browser settings or even DNS configuration. Security software can take care of everything automatically, so it is much more safe that the manual elimination.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
Pick Manage Add-ons.
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:

Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
Select Internet Options.
In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:

Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
Under Browsing history, click Delete...
Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:

Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
Select Reset.
In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

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 Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

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.

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.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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 dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove MediaGet Toolbar

MediaGet – a browser hijacker that affects Google Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers

Avoid PUPs by carefully installing new software