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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jun 2017

How to remove Roomba-search.com virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Ugnius Kiguolis · The mastermind

Roomba-search.com targets Hebrew speaking computer users

Screenshot of Roomba-search.com

Roomba-search.com is a bogus search engine that pretends to be Hebrew version of Google.[1] However, it’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that might hijack web browsers, alter their settings, deliver commercial content and spy on users.

This browser hijacker aims at computer users who are speaking the Hebrew language. However, the language is not the limit. Hijacker might continue spreading in the Middle East, Japan,[2] the United States and all over the world.

Roomba-search.com spreads in the software bundles. Thus, after incorrect installation of freeware users might find this domain set as their default search engine.

Nevertheless, it resembles Google a lot; the official version of Hebrew version of Google is accessible via google.co.il.

The main page of the fake search engine does not include links to Privacy Policy or EULA. For unknown reasons, all the links redirect to Google website.

Lack of official documents makes this search tool even more suspicious. Not knowing how this program collects and treats user’s information is one of the main reasons to remove Roomba-search.com from the computer.

This PUP might be collecting non-personally identifiable information and use it for marketing purposes. However, no one knows whether it’s not interested in personally identifiable information or if it shares or sells aggregated data or allows installation of third-party tracking technologies.

This uncertainty allows making assumptions that users might face privacy-related issues.

Furthermore, the research revealed that Roomba-search.com is capable of displaying sponsored links in the search results page. Developers take advantage of pay-per-click advertising model and generate revenue from user’s clicks.

Unfortunately, lots of users cannot see the difference between sponsored and organic links. Thus, they are easily tricked into visiting promotional, useless or even dangerous websites.

The research revealed unpleasant Roomba-search.com redirect tendencies. Links and ads delivered by the hacker might lead to questionable, scam or infected sites. Thus, within one click you might suffer from cybercrime.

Finding unknown search engine on the browser should prompt you to take care of your computer’s security. You should scan the computer with an anti-malware program, for instance FortectIntego, and perform automatic Roomba-search.com removal.

The picture of Roomba-search.com virus

Bundling – the main distribution method of the potentially unwanted application

In most cases, Roomba-search.com hijack occurs during incorrect or inattentive software installation.

When installing programs downloaded from the Internet, you have to not only choose reliable download sources and read EULA[3] but also choose the right installation mode.

Often users rely on Quick/Standard settings and make a mistake. Bear in mind that using this setup you give indirect permission to install all additional programs that might have been installed in a software package.

The trick is that freeware and shareware usually are bundles. Thus, apart from the primary program, they include third-party apps.

In order to “unpack” the bundle and prevent PUPs from entering the system, you have to use Advanced/Custom installation settings.

One of the steps might include the checkbox with “additional downloads,” and you have to untick pre-selected entries.

Make sure that you do not leave any ticked agreements to make Roomba-search.com or another suspicious search tool to make your default search engine.

Withdrawal of the Roomba-search.com virus

Trying to replace Roomba Search to your preferred search provider is designed to fail. The hijacker might modify the system and alter browser’s settings to prevent you from getting rid of it easily.

Elimination of the hijacker requires putting more effort and time. However, there are two ways how you can remove Roomba-search.com – manual and automatic.

In order to terminate hijacker on your own, you have to follow the instructions below. They will help to locate and delete all virus-related components that may be hiding on the system.

Uninstalling suspicious programs and extensions is not enough. The hijacker might be spying on you. Thus, you need to delete tracking cookies by resetting web browsers.

If you want to speed up Roomba-search.com removal, you should opt for the automatic elimination option.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

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

Change your homepage if it was altered:

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

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

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 Remove.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 Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

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

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

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 the unwanted extension 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 Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

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

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