Remove Cactus Search (Virus Removal Instructions)

Cactus Search – a heavily advertised browser plugin that will bombard your searches with ads

Cactus Search is a potentially unwanted program developed to force you into using a search engine of its choice. It does that by making modifications to your browser settings. This browser hijacker changes the default search engine, which results in an altered new tab and homepage preferences.

When you install Cactus Search browser hijacker, all of the abovementioned settings are changed to promote cactus-search.com. That's a fake search engine, as it doesn't generate any search results. Users are redirected with their search inquiries to other websites.

Browser hijackers usually show results from legitimate sources like Google, Yahoo, and others, but with a slight twist. By causing redirects, these PUPs inject ads into search results. These ads can cause the most damage as they could lead to malicious portals. This article explains how this browser hijacker works, its risks, and how to remove it.

name	Cactus Search
Type	Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
Altered browser settings	The default search engine, new tab, homepage
Promote fake search site	cactus-search.com
IP address	104.31.90.247
Symptoms	All searches going through a new search engine. The new tab and homepage are changed. Slower browsing speed and device performance
Risks	Browser hijackers can cause redirects to hazardous affiliated pages where users might encounter scams, malware, push notification viruses, fake updates, etc.
Distribution	Google Chrome Web Store, freeware, deceptive ads, fake Flash Player updates
Removal	To safely terminate any threat, you must use a reliable anti-malware tool
System Repair	It would be best if you used the powerful Fortect Intego system tune-up tool to completely eliminate any traces of the Cactus Search from your device

Browser hijackers are usually falsely advertised as tools that will boost the internet connection, improve privacy and safety while browsing, etc. When in fact, they do the exact opposite by overloading your connection and collecting various browsing-related information, including:

geolocations,
device and browser details,
used apps,
search inquiries,
search history, etc.

These details are usually shared with advertisers to show you customized ads. But non-personal^[1] data collection might still pose dangers. One more shady function of Cactus Search virus is that it injects ads into search results shown from legitimate sources.

Its developers state that the shown ads will help to save the planet. While that might be true, you can't know what affiliated pages will you be redirected to when Cactus Search ads are pressed. PUP developers might unknowingly advertise a hazardous website.

Which may include porn, gambling, malware, fake updates, scams, and sites with other ill intentions. And lastly, Cactus Search redirect could force you to visit questionable sites without you clicking any buttons, search results, or ads. Therefore, we highly advise not installing this PUP.

If you already did, then you came to the right place to find out how to safely remove Cactus Search. First, you will need a trustworthy security tool. If you don't own one, free anti-malware tools like SpyHunter Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes Malwarebytes will be more than enough. Open either of those tools, initiate a full system scan, and stick with the app recommendations on what to eliminate when it's finished.

As great as AV tools are with Cactus Search removal, they can't delete it from the Registry and other core system directories and settings. Thus cybersecurity experts^[2] highly recommend using the all-in-one Fortect Intego system diagnostics tool that will fully eliminate this PUP from your device and delete tracking cookies in the process.

Attentiveness to software installation might prevent PUP infections

People usually don't know how their devices got infected with adware,^[3] browser hijackers, unnecessary toolbars, and other potentially unwanted programs. That's because PUP developers use stealthy techniques to distribute their worthless but harmful creations.

Software bundling is one of the most popular of those methods. These packs containing an installer for more than one app are usually downloaded from third-party software vendors. To avoid PUPs from bundles, you have to choose to either download all your software directly from its developers or stay cautious when installing it.

If you choose the second option, remember not to rush. All apps are preselected for installation, so please remember not to select the Recommended/Quick mode. Take your time and pick the Advanced/Custom mode and go through the list of apps that would be automatically installed if you'd have chosen otherwise.

Then go step-by-step, deselecting each and every app that raises any questions, looks shady, or you just don't need it. Install only the software that you wanted in the first place. Please remember this short manual, and your device will be much safer.

Remove Cactus Search virus with security tools to ensure it's completely gone

Adware and browser hijackers, including Cactus Search virus, are deemed as potentially unwanted programs, but they might act as a bridge to malware infections, such as Trojans, ransomware, etc. Thus they shouldn't be joked with and terminated immediately before more harm came your way.

You can remove Cactus Search by scanning your device with a trustworthy security tool. Such software should always be updated to prevent any PUPs and malware from gaining access to your machine. If the PUP was installed as a browser extension, use our guides below to delete it.

Altered system files and settings may lead to sluggish performance, crashes, freezing, and other abnormal device behavior. To terminate any traces of and finish Cactus Search removal, you should consider using a compatible system diagnostics tool.

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.

How to remove Cactus Search

Cactus Search – a heavily advertised browser plugin that will bombard your searches with ads

Attentiveness to software installation might prevent PUP infections