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Grand Burst virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Easy Removal Guide

by Gabriel E. Hall - - | Type: Stealing programs

Grand Burst virus Removal Guide

What is Grand Burst virus?

Grand Burst virus – the search engine not worth trusting

Grand Burst virus is a browser extension that is supposed to make browsing the Internet more comfortable by allowing access the best search results of the Web. This browser hijacker[1] is also known as Home.grandburst.com virus. Computer users who want to replace their old and boring search engine might found this tool interesting and useful. The main page includes not only eye-pleasing picture of nature but also several links to the popular sites such as Facebook, Gmail, Amazon, Pinterest, etc. Easy access to these websites is probably the only one useful feature of this search engine. Therefore, if you are thinking about installing this browser extension and using it, we want to discourage you from doing this. However, this website might appear on the browsers out of nowhere. Grand Burst Chrome New Tab Extension might sneak inside the computers bundled[2] with freeware and shareware. Once inside it alters Google Chrome’s settings and makes its domain as default homepage and search engine. Since then, there’s nothing much you can do. You can either use this bogus tool (not recommended!) or remove Grand Burst from the computer. We suggest choosing the latter option and scan the computer with FortectIntego, Malwarebytes or your preferred anti-malware tool. However, if you need more arguments why you should stay away from this search engine, read further.

Previously we mentioned that browser hijacker modifies Google Chrome’s settings, so the first symptoms of the Grand Burst hijack are the changed homepage. The hijacker prevents users from customizing browser’s settings and setting their preferred homepage. It might installed “helper objects”[3] and various third-party apps or add-ons that protect it and help to stay longer on the affected PC. However, as you already know computer users can remove Grand Burst with the help of malware removal tools quite easily. Apart from taking control over the browsers, the virus also might track users’ data. According to their Privacy Policy, the application collects and shares aggregated information to the third-parties. This non-personally identifiable information[4] includes computer’s IP address, computer’s and browser’s data, and various browsing-related information. The developers promise that collected information allows providing better search results; however, Grand Burst redirect tendencies are quite the opposite. In the search results, you might find sponsored links that do not differ from the regular ones. Sadly, they might lead to absolutely irrelevant or even dangerous websites. Some of those high-risk Internet sites might be infected and created for spreading Trojans or ransomware viruses. After the visit on a suspicious website you might be trapped into Tech Support Scam[5] or in any other cyber criminal’s trap. Therefore, you have to be very careful and rush with hijacker’s elimination procedure.

The screenshot of Grand Burst virus

How can a computer get infected with browser hijacker?

When talking about infiltration methods, you should know that Grand Burst virus cannot hijack computers on its own. It’s a weak computer infection that travels bundled with other programs that users download from the Internet. Online you might find lots of suspicious and insecure sources for software installation that should be avoided, for instance, unknown domains, Torrents or file-sharing websites. However, even legitimate programs might have additional components added to the software package. Therefore, you have to be careful with software installation. Always install and update programs using Advanced/Custom setup which allows monitoring and adjusting installation process. During the installation, you might see the checkbox with optional applications in which you might find GrandBurst Chrome New Tab Extension as well. Sometimes instead of apps, you might encounter the pre-selected statement claiming that you agree to make home.grandburst.com your browser’s homepage. Obviously, you should disagree with it and deselect all suggested additional applications. They are more useful for the developers than regular computer users.

Grand Burst elimination guidelines

If you have installed this browser extension and after reading this article you want to remove it, you can uninstall it just like any other extension. However, if this search engine hijacked your browser, you need to work a little bit harder. If you are willing to take down this computer infection bare hands, you can remove Grand Burst manually by following our prepared instructions below. We want to point out that you have to remove browser hijacker, the program that is responsible for installing it, and other apps or add-ons that might have sneaked inside as well. However, if our guidelines seem difficult, you should opt for automatic Grand Burst removal. Although, if you need to install an anti-malware program, do not rush with the installation and follow our previously mentioned tips!

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.

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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, 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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Getting rid of Grand Burst virus. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Do not rush with Grand Burst removal. Removing browser hijacker with all its components is crucial. If you leave some apps or add-ons, you might soon experience another hijack. After completing all the steps presented below, you have to fix Google Chrome browser. Even though this browser extension is compatible with Chrome, we recommend checking other web browsers that are installed on your PC as well.

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all 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 an unwanted app, 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 and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

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 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

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the 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 Delete Advanced 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” -Verbose Advanced 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, search 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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

You have to uninstall Grand Burst Chrome New Tab Extension along with other suspicious extensions, add-ons or plugins that might have been installed without your knowledge. Then, restore browser’s settings as shown below.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. 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. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 Grand Burst 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 stealing programs

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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