InitialSite123.com virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
InitialSite123 is a potentially unwanted application that hijacks Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other browsers
InitialSite123 is a potentially unwanted program that can enter the computer unnoticed and start displaying unwanted content to users
Questions about InitialSite123.com virus
InitialSite123 is a browser hijacker that enters users' machines with the help of deceptive distribution methods, primarily software bundling. The unwanted application enters the computer unnoticed and performs several changes to Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari, setting the new tab and the homepage address to InitialSite123.com. The PUP then constantly disturbs web browsing settings by displaying alternative search results, displaying excessive advertisements on various domains, redirecting[1] users to suspicious websites and slowing down the web browser. InitialSite123 should be immediately eliminated once its presence is spotted. To find out how, please follow this article.
| Name | InitialSite123 |
| Type | Browser hijacker/PUP |
| Infiltration | Software bundling, insecure sites |
| Symptoms | Altered web browser settings, redirects, ads |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Affected browsers | Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc. |
| Elimination | Check our step-by-step guide below this article |
| Optimization | We recommend scanning the PC with Reimage – it will fix all the damage done by the PUP |
InitialSite123 is one of the millions of hijackers that float around the internet and is almost identical to Initialpage123.com. These type of applications never bring any benefits to the end user and instead might even harm the system and the user. For that reason, InitialSite123 removal should not be delayed, as, as long as the hijacker remains on the device, personal information and malware infections are real threats.
It would be wrong to call it InitialSite123 virus, as it is not malware. The software is legitimate, although it does use unfair distribution techniques and tries to deceive users with its alleged usefulness. In reality, potentially unwanted programs are created with only one goal in mind: to gain revenue (pay-per-click)[2] from advertisement, all at the infected users' expense.
Unfortunately, some adware or browser hijacking applications can be a real pain to eliminate, as traces might be left on the browser itself, and not the system. Thus, if you are dealing with InitialSite123 removal with no luck, you should know that the easiest and the most effective way to remove it is using reliable anti-malware software, although our guide below is just as effective.
Another downside of InitialSite123 is the constant sponsored links that are shown at the top of the search results. This is as well done in order to make users click on sponsored links and bring partners' more visits, which consequently increases the rank of the site.
However, such activity can completely destroy web browsing experience, as finding relative information becomes almost impossible. The unwanted ads can be eliminated only after you remove InitialSite123 virus from your computer.
Finally, security experts warn that most potentially unwanted apps collect a variety of anonymous information about its users, which can include, but is not limited to:
- IP address;
- ISP;
- Web search history;
- Links clicked;
- Bookmarks added;
- Cookies, etc.
The aggregated data then allows InitialSite123 developers to create profiles based on browsing habits, in a scheme that is called targeted advertisement. While, when done right, it can be used for benefiting the end user and the marketing team, the browser hijackers and other PUP authors may misuse the data. For example, cookies can stay in your browser up to 10 years, and they can say a lot about you.
As soon as you get rid of InitialSite123 hijack, we suggest you scan your machine with Reimage. This repair software can fix all the damage done that was related to the hijacking of web browsers.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
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'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
Protecting your PC from browser hijackers
To avoid browser hijackers, adware-type programs and similar potentially unwanted software, you need to choose software download sources carefully. We strongly advise you to choose Custom or Advanced, and not Standard or Default installation settings for the setup. These settings will provide you with the list of suggested third-party downloads and allow you to drop them off.
If you don’t manually configure components of your download, remember – all programs bundled with your desired software will be installed without asking you twice[3]. That is the main reason why we do not recommend choosing Standard/Basic/Express/Default settings in software installers.
Such a program should be avoided, because they can unintentionally collect some personally identifiable details about the user, too. To protect your PC from unwanted apps and other shady programs that try to step into the computer system without the user’s permission, we suggest you download security application that specializes in PUP detection.
InitialSite123 removal techniques
To remove InitialSite123.com virus from your machine and the web browser, you need to follow the instructions provided below. Make sure you are attentive enough to find all add-ons and extensions that look suspicious to you. You should get rid of all add-ons that belong to the same developer because they can re-install this virus on your computer behind your back.
However, if you do not want to use a guide given below, you can perform InitialSite123 removal process with the help of security software which will take care of everything automatically.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove InitialSite123.com virus, follow these steps:
Remove InitialSite123.com from Windows systems
To remove InitialSite123 from Windows, your goal is to find all shady-looking programs or those programs that were installed without your knowledge. Make sure you uninstall them according to these rules:
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
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 InitialSite123.com and related programs
Here, look for InitialSite123.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove InitialSite123.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 XFirefoxGoogle ChromeGet rid of InitialSite123.com from Mac OS X system
To remove this hijacker from Mac OS X, you must uninstall suspicious applications that were installed without your consent.
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for InitialSite123.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate InitialSite123.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To remove InitialSite123 from Firefox, go to the list of all installed extensions and remove this add-on. If you can't find an extension with such name, look for other extensions installed on the same day and remove all of them.
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select InitialSite123.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click OK to save these changes.
-
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 InitialSite123.com removal.
Uninstall InitialSite123.com from Google Chrome
To fix Google Chrome after hijack, make sure you delete this extension from Chrome. Check what other questionable extensions are provided in the Extensions tab and delete them without a hesitation.
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select InitialSite123.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete InitialSite123.com removal.
About the author
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References
- ^ URL redirection. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Pay-Per-Click Marketing: Using PPC to Build Your Business. WordStream. Online Advertising Made Easy.
- ^ Top 10 Ways PUPs Sneak Onto Your Computer. And How To Avoid Them. Emsisoft Blog. All about Computer Security.