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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Apr 2017

How to remove Iconssliding.com virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

Reasons why Iconssliding.com search engine should not be your default one

Iconssliding.com virus is known as a browser hijacker that claims to be a private and legitimate search engine. However, this search tool is closely related to another bogus search engine goeaglesearch.com. Just like its counterpart, the hijacker spreads in the software bundles[1] and enters the system silently. After the hijack, it might replace browser’s homepage, default search engine or/and new tab URL address. Besides, it might modify browser’s shortcuts in order to make Iconssliding.com removal more complicated from the browser. However, users should give up and fight this potentially unwanted program (PUP) immediately. These kinds of programs are known for being capable of altering search results and including commercial content to it. This activity is beneficial for the developers and affiliates who are interested in driving traffic to their sites in a questionable way. Meanwhile, users of the Iconssliding.com might unintentionally enter suspicious websites where they can get tricked into installing useless software, reveal personal information for cyber criminals[2] or get infected with malware.[3] Thus, if this search engine hijacked your browser, we highly recommend scanning your computer with reputable anti-malware/anti-spyware program, such as FortectIntego.

The image of Iconssliding.com virus

The Privacy Policy of Icons Sliding search engine reveals that it only collects non-personal information about users to improve their business and service. Nevertheless, developers claim that they do not use cookies to track information; they do not specify what technique they use, what specific information they collect and whether they share it with third-party companies or not. Thus, lack of clarity should be one of the most important reasons why you should consider to remove Iconssliding.com ASAP. If you value your online privacy,[4] probably you do not want to share some details with unknown affiliates, advertising networks or even cyber criminals. Usually, aggregated information about user’s interests is used for marketing purposes. Thus, you can find numerous commercial content while browsing the web. Indeed, if you try to use this search tool, you will see that results page is filled with suspicious ads and offers to buy particular products based on your search keywords. We want to point out that clicking on these shopping deals or invitations to play games might end up pretty bad.[5] Our research has discovered that some Iconssliding.com redirect tendencies are not always safe. Thus, you can be redirected to the misleading or potentially dangerous websites that can harm your computer or put your privacy at risk.

The illustration of Iconssliding.com

Techniques used for hijacker’s distribution

Authors of Iconssliding.com virus use bundling as a main hijacker’s distribution strategy. This PUP might be added in various software bundles and travel with the help of freeware or shareware. Thus, when installing new programs, you always have to make sure whether you are installing a single program or a package. If you want to avoid Iconssliding.com hijack and other unwanted applications, you need to “unpack” freeware using Advanced/Custom installation wizard. If you follow each step carefully, you will find the list of pre-selected third-party apps which you need to untick. If you won’t do that or rely on Quick/Standard installation mode, you might give indirect permission to install all optional applications attached to the primary program.

Secure ways to remove Iconssliding.com virus from the PC

If you have looked for the instructions how to remove Iconssliding.com on their website, you should have found an inactive link to uninstall page in the Privacy Policy. Nevertheless, developers do not reveal removal steps; we are here to help you. Below you will find a step-by-step guide how to eliminate hijacker manually. By following these instructions, you need to locate and delete all virus-related files and reset web browsers. However, if you complete each step carefully, but you are still redirected to this questionable search engine, please opt for automatic Iconssliding.com removal option. It requires scanning the computer with a anti-malware program.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

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 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.Reset Internet Explorer

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 Remove.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 Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

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

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.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.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 the unwanted extension 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 Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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 dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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