How to remove IE redirect virus

Internet Explorer redirect virus is a PUP that forces you to visit suspicious websites

IE redirect virus is an annoying browser hijacker^[1] that might change your browser's homepage to a suspicious search page without your knowledge. There is also a big chance that you will spot such changes with your default search engine which will supposedly start providing misleading search results.

Cybersecurity experts recommend removing this annoying computer infection which is also recognized as the Internet Explorer virus. Usually, the program that starts controlling the browser silently tracks the user's activity and uses collected data to display irritating ads as pop-ups or search results.

Normally, programs that belong to the browser hijacker category are rarely considered dangerous because they are not capable of stealing data or putting infected computer users at risk of financial loss or identity theft. Nonetheless, the Internet Explorer virus can easily initiate various changes on your Internet Explorer browser and add related toolbars, browser add-ons, and extensions ^[2].

A hijacked Internet Explorer redirects the user to websites that often look unfamiliar or even suspicious. If the browser gets affected by a browser-hijacking application, the browser will continue launching a particular site (or sites) on a daily basis. In fact, it is very likely that a hijacked web browser might start redirecting to one of the following pages known to be suspicious (clicking on them will take you to their comprehensive descriptions):

• Search.Conduit.com;
• WWW-searching.com;
• Default-search.net;
• V9.com;
• WebsSearches.com;
• Trovi.

In fact, if your IE browser gets infected by the Internet Explorer virus, it is likely that other browsers may suffer the same consequences too. Microsoft's new and improved equivalent of the Internet Explorer – the Microsoft Edge browser ^[3] is especially vulnerable to this infection. So, when the virus alters the default search engine and the start page on your IE browser, your Microsoft Edge will probably undergo the same changes, too.

Because of this and other activities, security experts decided to include it in their tools' database, so you should scan your computer with updated anti-spyware right after noticing IE redirects, slowdowns, and pop-up ads that may show up to you during your browsing. Beware that such ads can inform you about missing updates and similar things.

You should never trust such warning messages because, in reality, they might seek to infect PC users with other viruses. This way you might end up with a dangerous Trojan or ransomware infection on your machine and face severe damage, the redirect virus removal is the first step you should take to avoid getting infected even further.

Similar to Chrome redirect virus and Firefox redirect virus, the main way how you can get infected with IE redirect malware is based on infected downloads. You simply need to open an infected email attachment, download an illegal program or visit a hacked site and you will be infected by this parasite.

If you have already noticed a different search engine and a new homepage on your Internet Explorer, there is a huge possibility that an IE redirect virus hijack has occurred on your computer. In this case, you should never ignore annoying redirects when using Internet Explorer because you may be tricked into visiting unsafe websites ^[4].

On most occasions, this virus interrupts people when they are surfing the web and redirects them to unknown sites that are less popular and need to increase their visitors' number or page rank. However, some experts claim that the Internet Explorer virus may also be used to promote other, more serious viruses and allow their infiltration into the system.

As you can see, you should never ignore questionable redirects because it means that your PC is infected. In order to remove IE redirect virus, you should try running a full system scan with MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. Additionally, you will find some manual helping lines at the end of this article that will show you how to clean your web browser from suspicious content.

Browser hijacker distribution never stops

According to Novirus.uk^[5] researchers, browser-hijacking programs and other potentially suspicious content have their own ways of entering the targeted machine/device. The most popular are software bundles as browser hijackers are often inserted into packages of programs as additional components. 

Additionally, potentially unwanted programs can be found in other sources such as peer-to-peer networks,^[6] online-gaming websites, movie-watching pages, and adult-themed networks. The best ways to avoid the secret installation of browser hijackers are:

• Using the Custom mode for performing downloads and managing all incoming objects. Be aware of all Quick or Recommended modes as these often let suspicious content into the system.
• Keeping a distance from secondary sources while browsing throughout the Web. Avoid all content that looks questionable to you (e.g. links, ads).
• Installing reputable computer protection. Search for an advanced anti-malware tool^[7] that includes as many security features as possible for your own and machine's safety purposes.

Frequently asked questions about IE virus

Question. I am dealing with a virus on Internet Explorer 11. Every time I open my browser, Trovi.com pops up. I have never set this page as my default start page or something. How can I remove this annoying Trovi virus that causes IE redirects repeatedly?

Answer. Dear visitor, it is clear that your browser is affected by a redirect virus. The cause of the Internet Explorer 11 virus is obviously the Trovi virus, which could have sneaked into your computer alongside other programs you recently installed.

We recommend you to be more careful when installing free programs as their installers often suggest adding a couple of unwanted programs to your system.

To remove the virus causing IE redirects, uninstall every suspicious program and delete every shady browser extension not only from IE but from the rest of web browsers as well. It is highly advisable to check browser shortcuts as well (see a tutorial provided below).

Question. I am having problems with my browser. Internet Explorer now redirects me to search.conduit.com without my request to do so. How can I solve the Internet Explorer home page redirect problem? I tried to change my home page settings but no results. The suspicious domain keeps appearing in my browser over and over again. 

Answer: Dear visitor, your computer is compromised by the Conduit Search virus, a widely known browser hijacker that causes Internet Explorer redirects and also targets other web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox.

To uninstall it from the system, you must find files related to Conduit and root them out from the computer system. The quickest way to do it is to use an automatic spyware removal tool such as MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.

A guide to IE Redirect virus elimination

In order to remove the redirect virus fully, you should run a full system scan to find the potentially unwanted program that is related to it. This could be done with the help of legitimate anti-spyware or with the help of the manual removal steps indicated below the article. The choice depends on you but automatical elimination requires less effort and can be done more effectively.

However, when using the manual IE redirect virus removal method, you should know exactly what are you looking for. In this particular case, it's quite difficult, since the virus is good at obfuscating its components and can easily hide in places you'd never expect it to. Thus, automatic virus elimination is the option we recommend more.

Furthermore, the Interner Explorer virus will be eliminated much faster and easier by using reputable anti-malware tools than it can be done by using your own effort. Besides, people who lack experience in dealing with various cyber threats will also find the automatic removal method very helpful and comfortable to carry out.