Booking.com virus (Removal Instructions) - Free Guide

Booking.com virus Removal Guide

What is Booking.com virus?

Booking.com virus is a potentially unwanted application that spreads with the help of fake Flash Player updates

Booking.com virusBooking.com virus is a potentially unwanted application that displays pop-ups, banners, deals, offers, coupons and other intrusive content on browsers

Booking.com virus is an adware[1] program that recently struck macOS users. The potentially unwanted application is usually bundled with PDF readers, media players, installation managers, and fake system optimizers, although users also noticed that fake Flash Player updates could deliver this app. As soon as PUA enters Mac, it makes system changes and adds the shortcut to the dubious app, which does nothing but opens a demo-app Title window with a start page of Booking.com with limited functionality. Note that Booking.com is reputable and a well-known service that helps people to buy flights, book hotels, organize car rentals, etc., and has nothing to do with adware that we are describing here. Because Booking.com virus is adware, it will force users to view pop-up ads, flashing windows, in-text links, banners and similar disturbances directly in Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox or Opera browsers. This type of behavior brings revenue to app's developers but destroys web browsing experience for users and might put their online safety at risk.

Name Booking.com virus
Type Adware/Potentially unwanted application
OS affected MacOS
Infiltration Software bundling, unsafe websites
Symptoms Fake Booking.com icon in dock, intrusive pop-up ads in browsers, redirects, etc.
Title demo-app Title
Elimination Check our instructions below
Optimization Use repair software FortectIntego to clean your Mac

Booking.com virus authors are most likely affiliates of the official Booking.com, which try to benefit by spreading questionable application to Mac users. Unfortunately, this app does not help users in any way, and they should opt for official website usage instead in they want to book a hotel or a trip online. However, Booking.com virus removal might be a bit more tricky, as it requires the elimination of app's traces from the system.

Booking.com virus is dangerous because it can bring users to hacked, phishing, or other dangerous websites via redirects. When aggressive adware is present on the computer, users can get rerouted even without initiating any action. Therefore, users can get tricked into installing bogus software or paying for useless services. Additionally, users might also be affected by similar third party app like Search.hwildforscrapbooking.com which change browser settings and increase the amount of ads and redirects.

Additionally, most of the adware apps excessively track users with the help of cookies, JavaScript, web beacons,[2] and similar technologies. The information gathered by Booking.com virus might include:

  • IP address
  • System information
  • Apps installed
  • Sites visited
  • Links clicked
  • Bookmarks added. etc.

Besides anonymous information, Booking.com might retrieve your email address for marketing purposes and increase the amount of trash you receive in your inbox and/or the browser. If you want not to be disturbed by constant annoying ads, you should remove Booking.com virus from your macOS immediately.

Booking.com adwareBooking.com virus is an adware program that injects an icon into the dock of Mac and displays a startup page of Booking.com. Also, it spreads with the help of fake Flash player updates

Stay away from bundled software

Software bundling is a notorious PUP distribution technique and is widely used everywhere. Initially, the process should benefit both, the end user and the software author. Unfortunately, the greedy adware authors are trying to stuff their advertisement-generating applications into the installers of free software, and try to hide them under advanced installation mode or under the fine print (remember the “By continuing, you agree to terms of service, EULA and Privacy Policy”?).

You should be aware that even the “reputable” downloading websites like Cnet.com or Download.com are filled with bloatware that should be avoided at all costs. Thus, once you are ready to install a new app, watch your for optional components included inside the installation wizards. Avoid Recommended settings, and always opt for Advanced mode. Then, eliminate all third-party applications before finalizing the installation.

Additionally, clicking on pop-ups that promote Flash updates is not a good idea. Not only can you infect your machine with adware or other PUPs but also install malware like Locky or XMRig.[3]

Eliminate Booking.com virus from your Mac

Booking.com virus removal might be a little tricky. We explain how to uninstall the initial program via the Applications > Move to Trash. Please make sure you perform that first. Next, you will have to check the following locations on the system and look for any entries that are related to Booking.com virus. Click on Finder, pick Go > Go to Folder and then copy the following:

  • /Library/LaunchAgents
  • /Library/Application Support

Alternatively, to remove Booking.com virus automatically, you can use security software that specializes in potentially unwanted programs. Nevertheless, you will still have to reset each of the installed browsers, as we explain below.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Booking.com virus. Follow these steps

Delete from macOS

To eliminate Booking.com virus from Mac OS, follow these steps:

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

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 on Uninstall at the bottom. 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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

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

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

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. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

You need to refresh Mozilla Firefox to make sure no ads are shown again:

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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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

You should clean Safari by following these instructions:

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Booking.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting adware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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