HappySearch.org virus (Free Instructions) - Tutorial
HappySearch.org virus Removal Guide
What is HappySearch.org virus?
HappySearch.org – not so happy search engine
HappySearch.org virus is labeled as a browser hijacker due to its excessive advertising and tendency to redirect to other websites. Initially, it does not differ much from other search engines. However, you should not get misguided by its veneer. Advertising websites among search results may not only divert you to domains promoting specific products, but advertisements may become a harbinger of severe outcomes[1]. Though this search engine is less irritating that other browser hijackers and it commits to keeping your personal information safe, let us present the key disadvantages of this website. More information about HappySearch.org removal is shown below. Alternatively, you can get rid of it automatically with the help of FortectIntego or Malwarebytes.
It is commendable that this search engine is not overcrowded with links to popular web pages like in the case of other hijackers. The design of Happy Search may attract new visitors. Even though this browsing tool is not malicious, it may lead to negative consequences. For example, it displays a bigger amount of advertising content than other search engines. While previously ads were just a disturbing phenomenon, now hackers often tend to use them as bait for users[2]. The privacy policy disclaims collecting your personal information, however, it mentioned that non-personal information may be shared in an aggregated use and transferred to third parties.
Happy Search attracts attention with its design, however, its security is highly debatable.
Such material may well benefit the online marketers in their pay-per-click ad[3] manufacturing. While such commercial offers bring profit for them, users get annoyed with the surplus of such commercial offers. Additionally, there is always a risk to click on the malevolent ad. Thus, HappySearch.org redirect tendency might become not only an annoying tendency but cause some serious problems. Since browser hijacker often comes into agreement with shady third parties, it is unknown whether you will be redirected to a safe website[4]. What is more, other users might get frustrated by the fact that their browsing habits are exposed to unknown online companies. Consequently, we suggest you remove Happy Search.
When did this website take over my homepage?
Most users accelerate the infiltration of questionable programs and hijackers without even being aware of it. In fact, you accidentally enabled HappySearch.org hijack when you were advancing through the installation stages of a free application. Such legitimate applications such as Skype, Flash Player, Adobe Reader are especially prone to bear attachments. In order to spot these add-ons, you need to opt for “Custom” settings rather than “Basic.” Likewise, you will notice additional programs on time before they settle on the system.
How can I get rid of this PUP quickly?
Optimal solution would be to choose automatic HappySearch.org removal. Install and update security application and run the scan. You might also find manual guidelines useful. They are applicable when deleting adware and other minor PUPs. Speaking of the former option, an anti-spyware program will be of use dealing with more delicate virtual infections. If you intend to change your search engine intentionally, read users‘ reviews before hastily downloading unknown plug-ins and browsing tools[5].
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.
Getting rid of HappySearch.org virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Mac OS users should not let their guard down as well. This PUP may as well land in their Safari or other browsers. Remove HappySearch.org virus immediately after you notice it.
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Carefully follow the steps and remove all unknown extensions and plug-ins. Eventually, a full browser reset might be a proper decision.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 HappySearch.org 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
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ Mark Jones. Malicious fake Skype ads can infect your PC with ransomware. Komando. Tech News, Tips, Security Alerts and Digital Trends.
- ^ Charlie Osborne. Adware rewrites phone details for legitimate security software on Google search. ZDNet. Technology News, Analysis, Coimments, and Product Reviews.
- ^ Aj Agrawal. How To Use PPC Ads Without Annoying Your Customers. Customer Think. IT News and Comments.
- ^ Tara Seals. Fake WordPress Plugin Opens Sites to Criminals. InfoSecurity. Strategy, Insight, Technology.
- ^ Online security can help protect you from cyber thieves. The Register. Your local news source since 1917.