How to remove Sogou virus

Sogou is the search engine that should provide better results

Sogou is a browser hijacker that actively spreads around on the Internet these days. According to recent research, it is primarily targeting computers that are located in China. Security experts warn that it's not a typical browser hijacker. Since its developers apply unfair distribution tactics, it has also been labeled as a potentially unwanted program (PUPs) category and can be partly considered to be malicious. That's because the Sogou virus may end up on the computers along with other freeware or infiltrate systems with the help of Trojans.

Once installed, the attacker may initiate a bunch of unauthorized system's and browser's modifications, including Registry settings, Windows startup, DNS settings on all web browsers, and so on. However, the most significant of Sogou hijack is a replacement of a web browser's homepage and search provider with 123.sogou.com.

This search engine features a poor reputation and does seem suspicious from the first glimpse. It is full of doubtful links, videos, news, and similar content that you should better not click under any circumstances. Keep in mind that Sogou has the sole purpose – to generate revenue via affiliate marketing. That's why it may display sponsored links on its homepage, as well as deliver corrupted search results filled with questionable links.

By the way, keep in mind that it may act like adware, which means that it may generate tons of ads. There is no doubt that Sogou redirects pose a risk to your PC's security because third parties may seek to boost the traffic of questionable or even unsafe websites that may be involved in the distribution of various cyber threats.

Also, security experts warn that Sogou installs cookies and collects browsing-related information. Therefore, if you have recently experienced these symptoms if the hijack, you are strongly advised to fix that with the help of Fortect Intego or another reputable anti-spyware. Anti-malware tools can remove the PUP and system repair applications take care of those files and processes altered in the system folders.

PUP distribution ways

It is stated that the primary source of Sogou virus distribution is various Trojans. Therefore, it's very important to select which websites should be visited and which should not. That's because adult content websites, illegal domains, suspicious gaming portals, online casinos, and similar websites are commonly filled with Trojans that spread such browser hijackers, as well as viruses and malware.

By the way, you should better avoid installing free software that you are not familiar with, especially the one that is promoted on unknown and suspicious-looking file-sharing websites. This way, you may end up with a software package that has been involved in the distribution of Sogou redirect virus.

Besides, it is also stated that malicious links and fake software updates may also be involved in the distribution of this tool. Therefore, you have to be extra cautious in order to prevent this bothersome hijacker from infiltrating your machine.

Make sure to properly remove Sogou virus from your machine

PUOPs typically infiltrate computers in a form of a browser plug-in or extension. By the way, you are strongly advised to remove all other unfamiliar add-ons and applications that have been installed on the same day as Sogou virus because they may also be suspicious.

The easiest way to do so is to initiate a full system check with a reputable anti-malware. This is how you can quickly remove Sogou from the system. After that, you can run additional system scans to double-check and repair files or functions when needed.

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.