Lookineo.com. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Lookineo.com – a typical browser hijacker. Why?
Lookineo.com is a search site developed by Development Media 73. If you would try t explore it, we are pretty sure that you would consider it to be an ordinary search provider. It has a search box and allows selecting the search in three languages, i.e. France, Spanish, and English. Thus, it may be assumed that it is primarily targeting users that are located in the countries mentioned above. Nevertheless, the truth is a bit different. In fact, it is targeting France, Spanish, and English-speaking computer users. However, it’s not a simple search engine. It’s a browser hijacker that is also attributed to the ‘potentially unwanted program’ (PUP) category.
Have never dealt with an extension that belongs to these categories? Then you are not aware of the downsides that such and similar programs have. Thus, we will list the main ones:
- Stealthy infiltration;
- Unauthorized modifications of browser’s settings;
- Usage of system resources;
- System’s and web browser’s slowdowns;
- Promotion of suspicious third-parties;
- Misleading browser’s redirects;
- Delivery of third-party ads;
- Data collection.
How does this search engine work?
Usually, Lookineo.com virus enters computers via other freewares and sharewares. It is compatible with Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox, web browsers. It means that no matter that web browser you prefer using, Lookineo.com hijacker may take each of them. In other words, it may replace a default start page, search provider, and a new tab window without your authorization. Such modifications are not only annoying. They are difficult to reset. Besides, this newly applied search engine can display corrupted search results. Usually, it delivers links to sponsored websites, such as yet not popular online shops. However, you should be aware of Lookineo.com redirects that make you visit online casino, offer to participate in online surveys, claim that you need to update software (Flash Player and Media Player usually) and so on. That’s because such offers may be just a trick used to make people install other potentially unwanted program.
Questions about Lookineo.com
Also, Lookineo.com redirect virus can affect your PC’s performance. Of course, not in a positive way. Once installed, it may create a Windows startup key, run several processes in Task Manager, and corrupt browser’s settings. All these modifications can cause system slowdowns, browser’s crashes, freezes, and similar issues.
Last, but not least, it’s important to think of the privacy-related issues. Lookineo.com hijack may lead to the leakage of data that you may not be keen on disclosing to third parties. This search is spread embedded with tracking cookies. Usually, it collects search terms, pages viewed and similar information that let third parties know about people’s browsing habits. However, it may also collect PC’s IP address, search queries, user’s name, PC’s location, and similar information that may be used for really doubtful purposes. All in all, we highly recommend you to remove Lookineo.com virus from the system without a delay. The easiest way to accomplish this task is to run a full system scan with Reimage.
How to remove Lookineo.com virus?
Before acknowledging how to remove Lookineo.com redirect virus, we would like to inform you about its distribution method. Usually, it is spread by ‘bundling.’ It means that whenever you decide to install a download manager, a video streaming software, a PDF creator or another free program, you risk ending up with Lookineo.com hijacker or another potentially unwanted program. Keep in mind that freewares can carry ‘optional downloads’ (plug-ins, toolbars, etc.) hidden under ‘quick’ or ‘express’ installation option. Thus, to prevent them from getting installed by default, you should opt for a more complicated installation option (‘advanced’ or ‘custom’) and untick all unfamiliar apps without a delay.
If you are looking for a Lookineo.com solution, then you can either uninstall it by yourself or render this task to a reliable anti-malware. For more details, find a guide down below.
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 Lookineo.com, follow these steps:
Erase Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com and related programs
Here, look for Lookineo.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Lookineo.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 ChromeSafariGet rid of Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Lookineo.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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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 Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com removal.
Remove Lookineo.com 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, Lookineo.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariEliminate Lookineo.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 Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com removal.
Uninstall Lookineo.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 Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com removal.
Erase Lookineo.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 Lookineo.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 Lookineo.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 Lookineo.com removal process.