DigitalIncognitoSearch (Virus Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
DigitalIncognitoSearch Removal Guide
What is DigitalIncognitoSearch?
DigitalIncognitoSearch – software that hijacks your browser to reroute all search inquiries
DigitalIncognitoSearch PUP alters specific browser settings to redirect all searches to a fake search engine
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 SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, and perform a full system scan.
DigitalIncognitoSearch ads might show up in search results or as pop-ups
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 virus, BestSearchConverter virus, SuperPDFSearch 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 shows altered search results from a search engine of its choice
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.
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.
Getting rid of DigitalIncognitoSearch. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 DigitalIncognitoSearch 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 browser hijacker
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Robert Izquierdo. 10 Types of Malware and How to Spot Them. Fool. Software reviews and recommendations.
- ^ Viruset. Viruset. Spyware and security news.