Luckysite123.com virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Apr 2017 update
Luckysite123.com virus Removal Guide
What is Luckysite123.com virus?
Can you benefit from Luckysite123.com?
Luckysite123.com virus operates not as a standard search engine. Due to its behavior, IT researchers have labeled it as a browser hijacker[1]. This browsing tool is accused of profiting from pay-per-click monetization technique. You will spot it in your browser right after installing this browser hijacker. Eventually, you will also get annoyed by the troublesome effects of Luckysite123.com redirect phenomenon. Advertisements will direct you to diverse sponsored domains monitored by third-party companies. This PUP mostly plagues Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers at the moment. Nonetheless, it is compatible with other browser as well. Furthermore, the privacy policy is filled with provisions disclosing its shady behavior and the initial mission of this browsing tool. Take a look at this extract from the document:
Luckysite123 may request or collect personal information from online users in a variety of ways, including through online forms […];
Luckysite123.com uses log files. This information can include Internet protocol (IP) addresses, type of browser, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time mark, and number of clicks;
Our customers and users will occasionally receive newsletters or emails with information on products, services, or special offers;
As you can see, you might be asked to enter your personal information[2] via online forms, and also be monitored by Lucky Site123’s tracking cookies, which will collect non-identifiable information as well. The latter data may be used for marketing purposes. They mention that personal details may serve for research purposes. The owners disclaim of trading these details with third parties. Nonetheless, in case of a merger, this information will be transmitted to the new owners. If you are cautious about your online privacy, such provisions may become a real concern. If getting spammed with personalized offers does not seem like an attractive option[3], we suggest you do not provide any personal information or your e-mail via any forms that this shady website presents to you.
This is one of the key reasons why you should perform LuckySite123 removal. Now, the most important thing that you should pay close attention to is search results that this tool serves, and also ads that it delivers. We suggest you do not click on them, no matter how interesting, useful, or alluring they look. You can be taken to hazardous sites filled with deceptive information or another type of material that you should stay clear of. You might be asked to register on shady websites, receive suggestions to install bogus Java or Flash updates[4] or add other types of programs to your computer system. Do not accept such offers! Such downloads can bring you shocking surprises, for example, spyware or malware. Considering that this search tool is likely to provide links to shady websites, you should remove Luckysite123.com from the system using an anti-malware or anti-spyware program. You can use FortectIntego, Malwarebytes, or just follow manual Luckysite123.com elimination tutorial that is given down below.
Advice for evading PUPs
Potentially unwanted programs typically spread alongside other software, so in order to avoid installing them, you need to know how to install any program correctly. The key is to choose proper installation settings. If you choose “Default” or “Standard” settings all the time, there is no wonder why you end up installing spyware. You should constantly pick “Custom” or “Advanced” settings and look through a list of suggested third-party programs, and then refuse to install them. To reject these additions, deselect the marks of these add-ons. Remember this tip the next time you install new programs on your computer – software installers often conceal information about additional third-party software, so it is vital to read all information written in fine print[5]. Likewise, you will be able not only evade LuckySite123 hijack but more severe threats as well.
Remove Luckysite123.com quickly and effectively
If you happen to be an experienced computer user, you should remove Luckysite123.com virus easily. However, less experienced users might find it hard to uninstall it, and it is entirely normal. In fact, this browser hijacker is stubborn, and it takes a lot of patience to uninstall it, so please study these Luckysite123.com removal instructions attentively before you start deleting it from your system. The safest option is to run an automatic spyware removal tool to let it clean your system for you.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Luckysite123.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Follow these instructions and do not forget to delete all suspicious programs that you cannot remember installing.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
In Firefox, restore homepage and remove Luckysite123 search engine via “Manage Search Engines” section. Use instructions provided below.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
In Chrome, delete Luckysite123.com homepage link as explained below and also in Appearance section delete Luckysite123.com link as well.
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Luckysite123.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Renee Shipley. Browser Hijackers: What to Look For. Top Ten Reviews. Expert Product Reviews.
- ^ What is personal information?. BusinessDictionary. Easy-to-use free business glossary with over 20000 terms.
- ^ What is spam?. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary for IT Professionals.
- ^ Watch out for fake Java updates. Microsoft Secure Blog. In-depth Discussion of Cybersecurity, Security and Technology Trends.
- ^ Top 10 Ways PUPs Sneak Onto Your Computer. And How To Avoid Them. Emsisoft Blog.