Ghokswa Browser. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Ghokswa Browser is a misleading web browser that seems to be identical to Google Chrome from the first glimpse. It has the official website, but if you try to open it, it will redirect to google.com/chrome and provide information about Google Chrome. In fact, these two browsers look absolutely the same, but they are NOT identical whatsoever. In fact, Ghokswa Browser is deemed as adware and potentially unwanted program (PUP) due to the ability to inject targeted advertisements on the web pages, enable cookies, misuse CPU memory, and perform other affiliate marketing related deeds.
You may ask ‘So, how to recognize Ghokswa Browser virus on my PC if it’s identical to Google Chrome?’
In fact, to understand that you have just installed Ghokswa Browser adware is not that simple because it does not create a shortcut on the desktop or other visible means. Once the app is executed, it establishes a new folder in the Programs Files folder and corrupts Google Chrome’s target line. Usually, Chromium-based web browsers that are similar to Ghokswa Browser virus once installed replace a default web browser. In this case, it will seem that you use Google Chrome as you were used to. Unfortunately, but with this pest inside, each time you will open Chrome, it’s line will be redirected to Ghokswa Browser redirect virus and you will start experience various issues that were not typical before. For example:
- A supposed Chrome or fake Ghokswa Browser malware will disrupt web browsing activities because web browser is going to work very slowly.
- If earlier you did receive some pop-up ads generated by Google or other pages that you are visiting, now your web browser will exhibit tons of “Ads by Ghokswa Browser,” “Ghokswa Browser Ads,” “Powered by Ghokswa Browser,” “Brought by Ghokswa Browser,” and so on.
- Although your default homepage and the search engine will be set to google.com, it will also be corrupted by Ghokswa Browser virus, what means that search results may be altered (contain sponsored links).
- It may be difficult to browser the net without clicking on the Ghokswa Browser pop-ups. The most important issue here is related to the pages that you may be exposed to after clicking on them. Our research team has initiated a research on this fake web browser and found out that it may be related to doubtful parties, so it’s a high chance that Ghokswa Browser redirects to unsafe pages in some of the cases.
- This browser is also accused of unauthorized usage of tracking cookies. Although some people don’t mind disclosing browsing-related information, we don’t think that presenting your PC’s IP address, approximate location, email address, search queries, most frequently viewed pages, data entered while visiting them, and similar information to suspicious third parties is a good idea.
- Lastly, you may find multiple chrome.exe files running within Task Manager, what may be the cause of this browser running on the system.
Questions about Ghokswa Browser
Therefore, if you have spotted any of the signs above, we would recommend you to uninstall Ghokswa Browser using a professional anti-malware, such as Reimage.
How can Ghokswa Browser virus infect my Google Chrome?
Browser frequently spreads via software package along with freewares. Therefore, in the majority of the cases, it is installed accidentally because users do not spot its installer that is disclosed among the list of ‘optional components’ and usually set by default. Additional components like this one are typically unveiled under advanced or custom installation mode. Therefore, if you are not willing to end up with Ghokswa Browser hijack, verify the expanded settings of each freeware and opt out of unwanted installers.
How can I delete Ghokswa Browser virus?
Ghokswa Browser cannot be abolished via Control Panel. It does not have an uninstaller, so to get rid of it, you will have to perform manual removal by yourself or trust a reliable malware removal tool. If you need a guide that would explain what you should do to remove Ghokswa Browser virus, you are in the right place. Ghokswa Browser removal guide is given down below.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Ghokswa Browser, follow these steps:
Uninstall Ghokswa Browser from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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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.
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Uninstall Ghokswa Browser and related programs
Here, look for Ghokswa Browser or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Erase Ghokswa Browser from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Ghokswa Browser or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate Ghokswa Browser from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Ghokswa Browser and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Ghokswa Browser removal.
Remove Ghokswa Browser from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Ghokswa Browser should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Ghokswa Browser from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Ghokswa Browser and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Ghokswa Browser removal.
Get rid of Ghokswa Browser from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Ghokswa Browser and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Ghokswa Browser removal.
Uninstall Ghokswa Browser from Safari
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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. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Ghokswa Browser or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
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 Ghokswa Browser removal process.