Yokelead.com search engine is created to promote suspicious websites
Yokelead.com is a bogus search engine that has features of the browser hijacker. It might hijack web browsers, alter their settings and set its domain as the default homepage, search engine or new tab URL address. Since then it starts collecting data about users and displaying third-party ads.
This computer infection is targeted at Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other major web browsers. The Yokelead.com virus might alter browser’s settings, Windows shortcuts, and Registry. For this reason, the hijacker is launched with system startup.
System modifications also prevent users from using their preferred search provider. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) might block other search engines and do not let users set their preferred search engine. Indeed, Yokelead.com removal might be complicated.
The analysis revealed that this search tool is designed for advertising purposes. Once you enter search keywords and click enter, you end up on the results page that is full of sponsored links. These links are not obviously separated from organic links. Thus, users might be mistaken and click on useless ads.
Delivery of the third-party links is the main way how hijacker generates incomes. Developers of various websites and questionable products often use this shady and aggressive advertising method. Thus, developers of the Yokelead profit once users click on sponsored links or ads.
Since the installation of this search tool, you might also notice an increased amount of online ads, banners, and pop-ups. Typically, they offer shopping deals, suggest installing suspicious software or updates. We want to warn that clicking them may lead to dangerous websites that were created for commit cyber crimes.[1]
The cherry on top is hijacker’s feature to track information about users. The Privacy Policy tells that it collects limited non-personally identifiable information:
- IP address;
- type of browser and operating system;
- unique software ID;
- keyword and error search queries.
It might also use cookies to gather browsing-related information. Aggregated data is supposed to help improve services. However, some of the details might be shared with partners and company cannot assure that this data will be treated properly:
“<…>we are not responsible for their actions or omissions, including the manner in which they use information that they receive from us.”
The partnership with unknown and unreliable third-parties should be the last reason to remove Yokelead.com. We suggest installing FortectIntego or another anti-malware and scanning the device with an updated tool. It’s the quickest method to get rid of this PUP.
Distribution of the hijacker relies on bundling
On the main page, you won’t be able to find “download” or “install” button. Thus, users are not likely to set this default search engine as default one. Actually, developers of the hijacker use a sneaky software marketing method – bundling.
This technique allows hiding this app under “Quick” or “Recommended” installation settings of various freeware or shareware. Thus, if you install new software under this setup, you might agree to make Yokelead your default search engine.
In order to stop undesired applications from getting inside your computer, you should opt for Advanced installation mode and monitor the process.[2] Once you encounter the list of optional third-party programs, you should deselect them and stop them.
Our colleagues from Finland[3] also suggest reading the Privacy Policy and EULA before installing new software. We want to add that choosing reliable sources for downloads is also necessary.
Two ways to delete Yokelead.com virus
If you are looking for manual Yokelead.com removal instructions, you came to the right place. At the end of the article, you can find illustrated guidelines. Please, follow them carefully in order to locate all hijacker-related entries.
Various components may have been installed in the system and web browsers. You have to remove them all in order to get back access to your browser and use a reliable search engine.
Another way to remove Yokelead.com is automatic. This method requires employing a security program. Update your current program or install one of the suggested below and run a full system scan.
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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