Remove Dregol.com redirect (virus)

Dregol is a fake search engine that modifies your browser to display irrelevant search results

Dregol is a search engine that developers promote as legitimate. It is stated that you can use it instead of Google, Yahoo, Bing and other well-known search tools. In fact, this engine is considered a potentially unwanted application that is not recommended for searching the web. This program provides useless search results. If you have already installed it, don't worry because it is not as aggressive as a rogue malware. However, it may modify various settings on your Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. It can also start initiating suspicious activities in order to promote related websites. Being a typical browser hijacker^[1], virus modifies the homepage and sets the default search engine for Dregol.com. If these modifications are successful, it starts displaying irrelevant search results that usually include sponsored links in priority and lots of commercial advertisements.

Name	Dregol, run_dregol
Type	Browser hijacker
Symptoms	Changed browser settings, redirects, an increased amount of ads
Affected browsers	Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox
Distribution	Software bundles, intrusive ads
Elimination	Best tool for virus removal is Fortect Intego

Unfortunately, the developers of this search engine do not take any responsibility for the run_dregol redirects. Thus, if you click on any of the third-party links, you risk exposing your PC to unsafe websites and may be tricked into installing third-party software. We have investigated the official website of this program and have found several important points highlighted in the EULA^[2]:

Dregol collects some non-personally identifiable information and stores a cookie on your computer. The Website is meant for informational purposes, and may allow you to download Software or promotional material. Dregol shall never be liable for any damage caused by browsing the Website, clicking 3rd party links or any other activity made by browsing the Website.

This information clearly illustrates that hijacker is closely related to third-parties and may deliver sponsored search results filled with third-party content. Those often cause redirects to questionable and virus-filled sites. You should focus on Dregol.com removal as soon as you notice any symptoms.

Even though it's stated that only non-personally identifiable information is collected, you can never be sure that some pieces of personal information won't be taken as well. It would not be surprising because third parties often act suspiciously. Therefore, to prevent various inconveniences during your browsing, you should remove virus now. To do that, we recommend using Fortect Intego.

Browser hijackers come in bundles with freeware

Even though PUP can infiltrate the system using unfair methods, it's hardly possible not to notice its presence on your computer. To avoid its infiltration, you should be aware that it is commonly distributed along with other freeware.

Therefore, you should start paying more attention to the installation of free programs. It's always advisable to read EULA, Privacy Policy, user's reports and other relevant information. Besides, it's very important to select a proper installation option, which is Advanced or Custom. Avoid Quick or Basic installation because it's a tricky way to spread potentially unwanted programs without notifying people about them.

A team from Dieviren.de^[3] notes that after you select Advanced installation method, you should monitor the entire installation process and along the way and unmark ticks claiming that you agree to install “optional downloads.” If you don't do that, then don't be surprised after finding various unwanted programs on your computer.

Remove fake search engine from IE, FF, Chrome, Safari

For Dregol removal, you should rely on professional tools and programs. It might be that you are using this search engine without realizing. Websites that are promoted with the help of such technique can be malicious, so it would be better for you to stay away from this search engine.

You can remove it from your computer using either a reputable anti-spyware or manual removal steps that are given down below. Automatic removal of this hijacker can be achieved with only one click. However, if you want to eliminate it manually, follow the guide that is given below. It is time-consuming but worth it.

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 Dregol.com redirect

Dregol is a fake search engine that modifies your browser to display irrelevant search results

Browser hijackers come in bundles with freeware