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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Feb 2021

How to remove DigitalIncognitoSearch

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

DigitalIncognitoSearch – software that hijacks your browser to reroute all search inquiries

DigitalIncognitoSearch PUP

DigitalIncognitoSearch is a browser hijacker that alters particular browser preferences, such as the new tab, default search engine, and homepage, to redirect all search traffic through a portal of its choice. When your device (Windows, Mac, Android) has this hijacker installed either as an app or as a browser extension, all searches are redirected through a fake search site in feed.digitalincognitosearch.com.

The final search results are shown from search.yahoo.com. That is done for two reasons. To gather browsing-related data, which might be shared with affiliated or third-parties, and to display DigitalIncognitoSearch ads either as pop-ups or as recommended search results.

Shown ads can be intrusive, explicit, and misleading. If this browser hijacker infects your device, please refrain from clicking on any ads, no matter how alluring they might seem. This article covers the intruder's peculiarities, distribution techniques, and removal options.

name DigitalIncognitoSearch
type Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
Altered browser settings Homepage, new tab, and the default search engine
appointed search engine feed.digitalincognitosearch.com
IP address 104.21.95.86
Symptoms Slower browsing speed, pop-ups, redirects, changed browser settings
Risks Browser habits tracking, infection with additional PUPs, redirects to sites with malicious contents
Distribution Deceptive ads, fake Flash installers, software/freeware bundles
Removal This PUP can be effectively removed with trustworthy anti-malware tools
System fix System files and settings should be repaired with the FortectIntego system tune-up tool that will also clear up your browsing activities

DigitalIncognitoSearch virus and software alike are usually installed in a sneaky manner. That's why IT experts are categorizing it as a potentially unwanted program.[1] One of the things that differentiate it from malware[2] is that users install it willingly but unknowingly.

Browser hijackers and other PUPs are not as harmful but may still pose threats to your privacy and security. Ads shown as search results, recommended searches, pop-ups, and other DigitalIncognitoSearch ads might redirect you to questionable sites with suspicious content, including but not limited to:

  • gaming,
  • adult,
  • fake updates,
  • scams,
  • gambling.

Any of the websites that you are redirected to suddenly or when an ad is pressed might push you to install additional unwanted applications, try to extract personal information (names, emails, bank credentials, phone numbers, etc.), or infect your device with malware. There is no need to trust such questionable programs like DigitalIncognitoSearch PUP.

When one PUP is installed on your device, others are knocking at the door. Therefore, you should remove it immediately. There are three stages for DigitalIncognitoSearch removal. First, download a reliable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, and perform a full system scan.

DigitalIncognitoSearch ads

Once the security tool identifies the threat, remove DigitalIncognitoSearch with all other suspicious files. Once that's done, refer to our free instructions at the bottom of the page on how to reset your browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.). Follow the guidelines step-by-step, and you'll be finished within a couple of minutes.

Afterward, to repair any corrupted system files and clean up your browsing activities, cybersecurity specialists[3] highly recommend using the FortectIntego system tune-up tool. If these issues are left unattended, your device might exhibit severe lag, BSoD, crashing, etc. You need to properly terminate DigitalIncognitoSearch and any other related or silently installed applications, browser extensions. For additional help – check the guide below.

Avoid PUPs from software bundles with our instructions

All software should be downloaded directly from their creators to avoid third-party vendors that could be spreading PUPs, like Searchlee.com virusBestSearchConverter virusSuperPDFSearch virus, and tons of others. But if you desperately want an app and it comes in a bundle, please use our simple guidelines.

Please never choose the Quick/Standard/Recommended installation option because all apps in the bundle are preselected for installation. Only by picking the Advanced/Custom (or alike) installation mode, you'll be able to decide what software you want to install on your machine.

Remove ticks from all software that you are not willing to install, don't trust, don't need, and didn't even know would be installed on your device in the first place. You could also read the EULA. All software within the bundle is depicted there. Please remember these short instructions and use them each time when installing software.

DigitalIncognitoSearch virus

Using reliable anti-malware tools for DigitalIncognitoSearch virus removal

As we've stated before, if you have a DigitalIncognitoSearch browser hijacker installed on your device, other PUPs are lurking nearby. Soon your device might be overwhelmed with them, making it sluggish, unresponsive, and practically impossible to use.

Therefore, before more harm comes your way, remove DigitalIncognitoSearch. We suggest using professional anti-malware software as it will not only automatically locate, isolate, and eliminate any threats but safeguard from them in the future. Please remember that as great as security tools are, you still have to be cautious while browsing the internet and installing new software.

You will be able to restore browser settings back to normal only after DigitalIncognitoSearch removal. Below are free instructions for all browsers that this browser hijacker can affect. Afterward, run a system clean-up with a powerful system repair tool to wipe tracking cookies and other browsing-related data.

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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