Everything you need to know about Docksearch.net virus:
Have you noticed that the homepage in your web browser has been replaced with Docksearch.net without your permission? Have you noticed that it is impossible to remove it by changing homepage settings? But do you know why? If not, let us explain what has happened. Your computer has been hijacked by Docksearch.net browser hijacker, also known as Dock Search redirect virus. This suspicious application is also known to be an aggressive potentially unwanted program (PUP), which makes some arrangements in the computer system in order to stop the user from changing browser settings. It wants to convince the user to use a particular search engine and cause redirects to third-party websites, making the user visit pre-determined sites. This way, the developer of this browser hijacker generates advertising revenue. However, you should not let them take advantage of you and use you as a tool to make money by forcing you to use a deceptive search engine.
We have mentioned Docksearch.net redirects, so now we want to discuss why some of them can cause danger to your computer’s security. When the user enters a search query using that search engine, it responds by delivering regular-looking search results. However, some of them can open completely different web pages for you, and unfortunately, part of these can be deceptive or even malicious. However, you can lower the risk of getting a computer virus by refusing to install vague applications, software updates or just avoid downloading any type of material from unknown websites. We also advise you to avoid providing any of your personal information to questionable Internet sites.
We have discovered that this suspicious search engine is also closely related to Findamo.com redirect virus, which is well-known among spyware researchers as yet another obtrusive browser hijacker. In our opinion, computer users should stay away from such suspicious programs and remove them from their computers immediately in case they manage to slither into the PC unnoticed. There are several different techniques how you can remove Docksearch.net; we recommend you to choose the automatic removal option and delete it from your PC with a help of FortectIntego or a similar program. An alternative way to delete it is to follow Docksearch.net removal instructions (you can find them below this article).
How did I install this program?
If you cannot figure out how did this potentially unwanted program get on your computer, then you should try to recall what programs you have installed on your PC lately. You can see a list of them in Control Panel -> All Programs. The thing is, PUPs like Docksearch.net hijack computers when their users install free applications carelessly, because usually, such hijackers spread as optional components alongside other programs. You need to control the installation process properly and check if your download includes any suspicious files or programs. To check that, switch the installation settings from pre-selected ones to Advanced/Custom option. Then the installer should reveal all additional applications added to your download. Deselect them all to avoid installing them.
How to remove Docksearch.net?
Docksearch.net removal should be completed as soon as possible because this program might make your computer vulnerable to further infections. You can remove it by using instructions provided underneath this article, but there is one thing that you should know. Typically, potentially unwanted programs never spread alone, and there is a possibility that the program which brought this hijacker into your computer have also brought a few more PUPs to your PC. In such case, the only way to identify and remove them all at once is to run a system scan using a good anti-spyware program. You can use one of these programs:
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.
Was this guide helpful?
2 comments