Id.hao123.com virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Is Id.hao123.com a reliable search engine?
Id.hao123.com virus is affiliated to notorious Hao123 family of browsers hijackers. Though it is enhanced with links to game websites, social networks, and shopping domains, you might get bothered by continuous forceful redirects to these or alternative domains. Likewise, we recommend initiating Id.hao123.com removal right away. Reimage gets rid of the hijacker for you. You should not delay the elimination since the PUP spies on your browsing habits. It does so by employing cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies [1]. Such behavior might lead to privacy violation. Thus we recommend you to remove Id.hao123.com right away.
The Internet is full of various useful things as well as piles of suspicious content and tools. Every website developer aims to attract as many users by offering something exceptional. Hao123 browser hijackers have already made their trademark recognizable for virus researchers. Besides the eye-catchy design and links to other domains, the hijacker promotes its “benefits” quite intrusively [2]. Specifically, due to Id.hao123.com redirect, there is a high risk that you might be misguided to the domains which contain not only minor PUPs but more severe threats, for example, trojans [3]. You should not also trust promoted anti-malware tools in this domain. What you can download might truly differ from your expectations. There are a number of rogue anti-spyware tools on the Internet. Users less aware of the subtleties of these programs might easily download programs which fail in detecting serious viruses. Instead, you may install an app which invites malware to your device.
Furthermore, according to the privacy policy provisions, it is unclear what third parties support ID Hao 123. According to privacy policy provisions, occasionally surveys and other pop up in front of your computer screen. If you provide personal details while filling in such surveys, the developers might share your personal data with third parties. Such behavior should not be tolerated if you want to surf safely. In other words, there is a high probability that such data may fall to cyber criminals. You can only image for what purposes such data might be exploited. Since privacy on the Internet is becoming more fragile users should take additional precautions [4].
When did this hijacker appear on my computer?
Netizens often install questionable tools on their computers by themselves without being aware of it. In other words, PUPs attach themselves to free applications. If you happen to install image editors or similar tools frequently, you might have overlooked the additional programs. Likewise, you might have enabled Id.hao123.com hijack accidentally by hitting “Install” button. When you plan to install a new tool, select “Custom” rather than “Recommended.” Thence, you will be able to ward off potentially unwanted programs. Unpin all optional programs and only then proceed with the installation guide. Lastly, give a second look to the installation guide before dashing through the instructions.
Id.hao123.com elimination instructions
Luckily, it is not difficult to remove Id.hao123.com virus. You can do it by running an anti-spyware tool. Update it before scanning the computer. In general, check whether all your system applications are regularly updated [5]. Outdated apps might make the system more vulnerable to outside threats. In addition, taking a look at these Id.hao123.com removal guidelines is useful as well. Combining these two methods ensures that no elements of the hijacker remain on the PC.
You can remove Id.hao123.com automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware. We recommend these applications because they can easily delete potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Manual Id.hao123.com virus Removal Guide:
Erase Id.hao123.com 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.
- Uninstall Id.hao123.com and related programs
Here, look for Id.hao123.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Id.hao123.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
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.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariRemove Id.hao123.com 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 Id.hao123.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Id.hao123.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
Check whether the hijacker appended extra plug-ins and extensions. Rarely they happen to be practical tools. They only promote the services of other fishy companies. What is more, they slow down browser’s processing performance. Go through the steps carefully to remove them as well.
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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 Id.hao123.com 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 Id.hao123.com removal.
Eliminate Id.hao123.com virus 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, Id.hao123.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Id.hao123.com 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 Id.hao123.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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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 Id.hao123.com removal.
Get rid of Id.hao123.com 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 Id.hao123.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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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 Id.hao123.com removal.
Erase Id.hao123.com from Safari
- 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 Id.hao123.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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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. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Id.hao123.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.
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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 Id.hao123.com removal process.
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References
- ^ What are cookies in computers?. AllAboutCookies. Guide how to manage them..
- ^ Dan Grabham. How To Survive A Browser Hijack. LifeHacker. Practical advice for your work and home life..
- ^ Michael Kan . Yahoo reports massive data breach involving 1 billion accounts. PCWorld helps you navigate the PC ecosystem.
- ^ Trojan Attacks are on the rise! How do Trojans work?. The Windows Club. All about Windows.
- ^ Thomas Hester. The Importance of Updating Software. rackSpace. Cloud sites. We Manage Your Cloud, So You Can Manage Your Business.