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Remove Dubalub.com (Free Instructions) - Virus Removal Guide

removal by Lucia Danes - - | Type: Browser hijacker
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Dub a Lub is a browser hijacker with questionable intentions

Image of Dubalub.com search engine

Dubalub is a fake search provider which belongs to the same developer as DubSearch extension. It can invade your computer without your knowledge and take over all of your browsers. This search tool has been added to “browser hijacker”[1] category because it can also cause continuous redirects to Dubalub.com and similar sites.

The search engine has been promoted as a great way to protect your privacy and enhance your browsing experience. However, search results generated by Dubalub are not trustworthy. This search engine is closely related to third parties that are seeking to drive visitors’ traffic to their websites. That’s why hijacker fills its search results with links to these sites. However, the biggest issue here is that, after clicking such link, you can find yourself on a dubious website filled with other viruses.[2]

Dubalub.com has been promoted together with a browser extension known as DubSearch. If any of them enters the system, it takes over web browsers, assigns a new command line and changes the default search engine, a new tab page, and a homepage. Usually, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and other browsers are targeted by these PUPs.

Without a doubt, this dubious search engine looks like the most popular search engines, such as Google, Bing and similar. However, such GUI is used just to trick users into believing that the service they are dealing with is legitimate. Unfortunately, Dubalub Search is designed just to generate revenue for its developers. Therefore, we would like to suggest you remove Dubalub virus from your system immediately. You can do that by following our step-by-step guide at the end of this article or proceed with an automatic removal option.

Dubalub.com is not a dangerous application on its own. However, the virus-like behavior and suspicious search results can lead you to serious trouble.

After infiltrating the system, this unwanted program initiates the following commands;

  • Makes changes to your system by changing the shortcut tab in the target field;
  • Assigns new tab URL, search engine and homepage to hxxps://dubalub.com;
  • Displays various intrusive ads;
  • Initiates consistent redirects to third-party websites;
  • Might slow down your computer;
  • Might record non-personally identifiable information.

If you have already been infected and tried setting your browser settings back to normal, you might have already found that it is almost impossible. If you leave even the smallest component related to this hijacker, it reassigns all its settings right after you reboot your computer. To prevent this, use Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego for Dubalub removal right after you find it in your Chrome and similar browser.

Example of Dubalub.com virusSeeing Dubalub.com set as your browser's startup page is the main sign of the hijacked web browser.

Browser hijackers are mostly spread via bundling

This browser hijacker can be downloaded consciously from its developers’ website. After falling for misleading claims that are posted there, all you have to do is to click an Install button on the bottom-right corner of the page. However, we do NOT recommend that.

Besides, infections like these can infiltrate your system without your consent. As long as users tend to download free software on the internet without paying attention to its installation, hijackers, adware, and similar PUPs will keep hiding among optional components.
To prevent such unwanted additions, make sure you never trust Quick or Recommended installation modes. Besides, never skip installation steps and read terms and conditions before clicking “I agree” button.

While installing free software from the internet can be quite tricky, follow these steps and you will avoid unwanted programs and computer viruses:

  • Always choose Advanced/Custom installation settings;
  • Carefully read terms and conditions;
  • Opt out of any unwanted programs that can be offered during installation.

Cyber security specialists from usunwirusa.pl[3] advise downloading updates and software only from official websites and avoiding third-party content entirely. Additionally, do not click on any suspicious ads you might find on the internet. They might lead you to dubious sites.

Remove DubSearch from your computer

After you notice suspicious activity of an unwanted program on your browser, you might think that you are in serious trouble. However, you just need to take some action, and you will fix your computer entirely.

Removing threats like browser hijackers is a relatively simple task. You just need to select a reliable anti-spyware and run a full scan. To remove Dubalub Search from the system, you can choose one of the programs that are given below.

Besides, there is also another way you could use for DubSearch removal from your machine. You can do that manually if you don’t want to install additional software on your computer. For that, please follow our step-by-step guide below. Be aware that you must follow every step carefully and in the correct order. Otherwise, you can put your system at risk.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Reimage, try running SpyHunter 5.
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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
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To remove Dubalub.com, follow these steps:

Get rid of Dubalub.com from Windows systems

If you want to remove Dubalub.com from your startup page, you have to look up for hijacker-related entries on the computer. Follow this guide to eliminate them:

  1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
  2. If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program. If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
  3. Uninstall Dubalub.com and related programs
    Here, look for Dubalub.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
  4. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes. Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
  5. Remove Dubalub.com from Windows shortcuts
    Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
  6. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus. Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Erase Dubalub.com from Mac OS X system

If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:

Remove Dubalub.com from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for Dubalub.com-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 Dubalub.com, 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 related to Dubalub.com and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Dubalub.com-related entries.Uninstall from Mac 2

Delete Dubalub.com from Internet Explorer (IE)

Dub a Lub or similar add-on may have been installed in Internet Explorer without your knowledge. Follow this guide to remove it together with associated components.

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Dubalub.com and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete…
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Dubalub.com removal.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove Dubalub.com from Microsoft Edge

After the hijack, you should fix Microsoft Edge by following the steps below:

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 Dubalub.com-related 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

Reset MS Edge if that 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 DeleteAdvanced 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” -VerboseAdvanced 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 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

Eliminate Dubalub.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

DubSearch Search might be set by one of the questionable Firefox add-ons. Check the list of installed extensions and delete unknown entries.

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
  2. Here, select Dubalub.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries. Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
  4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
  5. Click OK to save these changes. When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
  6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
    Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
  7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Dubalub.com removal. Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times

Uninstall Dubalub.com from Google Chrome

This guide will help you to terminate suspicious search tool, add-ons, extensions and helper objects from Google Chrome:

  1. Delete malicious plugins
    Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
  2. Here, select Dubalub.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries. Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
  3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
    Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
  4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages. After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
  5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section. When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
  7. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  8. Reset Google Chrome
    Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
  9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings. When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
  10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Dubalub.com removal. Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal

Get rid of Dubalub.com from Safari

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
  2. Here, select Extensions and look for Dubalub.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them. Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
  4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Dubalub.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page. When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
  5. Reset Safari
    Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
  6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Dubalub.com removal process. Select all options and click on 'Reset' button

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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References

This entry was posted on 2018-01-12 at 08:44 and is filed under Stealing programs, Viruses.

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