LuckySearch123.com – redirect virus which collects information about your browsing
LuckySearch123.com virus is a browser hijacker which presents itself as a global leader in search engine marketing. However, because of its desire to increase advertising revenue, its users can suffer from unwanted redirects to malicious websites, annoying pop-up ads and tracking. Developed by Asia-based company, this program has been spread using software bundles, so can get infected with LuckySearch123 without their awareness. When it manages to get inside the PC, virus hijacks all web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari and others. It can install browser helper objects and similar components that can cause changes in your start page, the default search engine, the new tab URL, etc. As a result, victim starts seeing this bogus website every time he or she launches the browser or opens a new tab. The first instinct always suggests going to browser’s settings and resetting them. However, you cannot run away from the browser hijacker so quickly. In order to get rid of this computer infection, you have to go hard and remove LuckySearch123 with the help of FortectIntego or other reputable malware removal utility.

The Privacy Policy of this hijacker claims that its developers do not collect personal information about users; however, they may gather some of non-personally identifiable information in order to improve their services. Probably, they monitor browsing-related information to deliver more accurate search results or ads. By including sponsored links into search results, LuckySearch123 virus tricks users to click them. In this way, hijacker generates traffic to various websites that, for example, needs better ranking in Google. This activity is profitable for the developers; however, users are left disappointed and in potential danger. Some of the sponsored links can redirect to the dangerous websites what is a huge issue when trying to find needed information. Browser hijacker not only modifies search results, but also provides various ads, pop-ups and banners, or may initiate unexpected redirects. When you click on misleading content or accidentally end up on strange third-party site, you may encounter ransomware or other hazardous computer infections. Therefore, you should not delay LuckySearch123.com removal.
Distribution methods used by this browser hijacker?
Just like any other browser hijacker, this one has been actively spread in a bundle with free software. Indeed, this virus cannot infiltrate the system itself; it needs permission from the owner of the computer. You gave this permission when you installed one of the recent programs. Browser hijackers spread bundled with freeware or shareware and are hidden as additional programs under “Standard” or “Recommended” installation setup. Generally, if you want to avoid LuckySearch123.com hijack, you should not install applications using this setup. Instead of recommended settings, choose “Advanced” or “Custom” mode. During the installation, carefully follow each step and read all provided information. You have to be aware with what you agree. For example, you may encounter a list with pre-selected applications or statement saying that you agree to make LuckySearch123 your homepage. You have to deselect all these items. If installation wizard does not let install program without its additional components, you should quit the installation because your chosen software is not reliable.
LuckySearch123 removal options
To remove LuckySearch123.com from the system, you can use manual or automatic removal options. We recommend the latter method because anti-malware programs can quickly wipe out the virus from the computer along with all its components and helper objects. Keep in mind that for those, who don’t have required knowledge, it may be hard to perform removal steps manually. However, if you feel capable of fighting the virus bare hands, follow our manual LuckySearch123.com removal instructions at the end of the article. Once the virus is gone, don’t forget to check your web browsers, remove all suspicious extensions and reset their settings. Keep in mind that using this bogus search engine is not recommended.
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.

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