Search.gikix.com should not be your default search engine
Search.gikix.com is a suspicious search engine that is designed for French computer users. The simple-designed search tool is known as a browser hijacker because it might infiltrate the system unnoticed and alter the browser's settings without asking the user’s permission. Once it gets inside the computer, it might replace the current browser’s homepage, search engine, and new tab URL address with its domain.
In this way, users are forced to use Gikix Web Search. The hijacker might modify the browser’s shortcuts or make registry entries to prevent users from switching to another search engine. Indeed this nasty activity allows controlling user’s behavior and gives developers the power to provide commercial content.
Unfortunately, hijackers are often used for promoting various websites, products, or programs. This activity may be not only annoying but also potentially dangerous. Authors of the search tool do not provide the Privacy Policy or EULA[1] where they would provide information about the partnership with third parties, data collection, and other important aspects.
| Name | Search.gikix.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Category | Potentially unwanted program |
| Distribution | Sites that promote free downloads of the applications, torrent sites |
| Affected | Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox |
| Removal | Anti-malware tools should be used to clear the system. The guide below also provides tips for the process |
| System repair | FortectIntego can help with virus damage and affected system parts |
Bear in mind that all reliable websites and companies present such documents because they do not have anything to hide from the users or customers. Thus, you should consider the proper removal using anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or following instructions presented at the end of the article.
Search.gikix.com might look like an ordinary search tool that allows looking for information in 5 different categories: the web, pictures, video, shopping, and news. The search engine displays result from its own database. Sometimes such browser hijackers use the database of Google, Yahoo, or Bing searches.
However, our research hasn’t shown such activity. Using its own search algorithm allows customizing search results and including sponsored links. Sadly, browser hijackers are capable of doing that. Why? Developers generate revenue[2] by boosting traffic to particular websites. Thus, this little trick helps to motivate users to visit affiliates’ sites.
Unfortunately, on these websites, you may not find the necessary information. Thus, using this tool might be a waste of time, and this should be one of the reasons why you should remove Search.gikix.com from your browser.
The hijacker is not dangerous itself. It might be annoying by providing too much unwanted commercial content, ads, or redirecting to promoted websites. However, it cannot harm the system, computer, or files. Though, the so-called Search.gikix.com virus might pose a danger indirectly. As you already know, this program might display ads, pop-ups, initiate redirects, and include sponsored links on the search results page.
Some of this content might be simply irrelevant; however, sometimes it might be dangerous. Links and ads might lead to misleading or infected websites. For instance, you might be tricked into installing bogus software or its updates, reveal personal information, or get infected with ransomware. Thus, such potentially dangerous Search.gikix.com redirect tendencies should be one of the main reasons to get rid of this search tool.
The search tool spreads in software packages
The hijack usually occurs when downloading freeware or shareware. Free programs that you can download from various online sources, for instance, torrents, P2P networks, or download websites, often are software bundles. It means that apart from the primary program there might be other applications as well. Thus, when installing new software, you need to “unpack” programs.
Otherwise, you might unintentionally agree to make the shady site your default search engine. Always opt for Advanced/Custom installation settings, carefully follow each step and untick all pre-selected programs or agreements to install additional software. Standard/Recommended setup does not allow monitoring the installation and usually does not disclose optional downloads. As a result, unwanted third-party apps are installed on your device.
Deletion of the Search.gikix.com virus
The full virus removal requires locating and deleting the program in question with all its components from the computer and web browsers. If you want to do it manually, please follow our prepared instructions below. This task might be a little bit complicated because the hijacker might have placed its components deeply in the system, installed third-party applications or browser helper objects.
Thus, if you fail to remove Search.gikix.com manually, you should opt for the automatic option and get rid of it using anti-malware software. Besides, you can opt for this method at the beginning and save your time!
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.
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.
Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment