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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jul 2018

How to remove MagicControl

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

MagicControl is ad-supported program flooding web browsers with ads

 MagicControl virus

MagicControl is a program categorized as potentially unwanted and ad-supported. These PUPs come to your system unknowingly as they keep using a highly questionable distribution method called bundling. This particular program was added to the list of adware because the main purpose of MagicControl virus is to display advertisements to a user and create revenue for its developer after each click. The commercial content caused by this virus can be disruptive and lead its victims to browser crashes, and similar problems. Typically, this program delivers advertisements, pop-up ads[1] pop-up windows, banners, video commercials, in-text links. 

Name Magic Control
Type Adware, PUP
Affected OS Windows
Spreads together with Instant Access Dialer
Symptoms Redirects to sponsored sites, an excessive amount of ads
Main dangers Being redirected to an infected site, being tricked into revealing personal data
Distribution Software bundles
Elimination Best tool for virus removal is FortectIntego

It has been reported that MagicControl additionally installs Instant Access Dialer. Having this in mind, it is possible that this PUP can also drop multiple other programs and run together with them in the background of your system. As a result, your browser starts running sluggish, just like your whole computer system. 

MagicControl virus infiltrates Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. This infection makes time online unpleasant because almost every click causes ads popping up on your desktop that all redirects you to questionable sites filled even more advertisements or potential threats. 

These advertisements are meant to be loud and attention-grabbing so you would be convinced into clicking them or even purchasing suggested tools and programs. Such activity creates revenue for the developers because most of those sites are related to this adware. To prevent such interruptions, you should remove MagicControl as soon as you notice its first ad. However, note that this virus is relatively old and can cause even more problems for its victims.

Previously, you could perform MagicControl removal just by uninstalling suspicious add-ons and extensions. Now, this procedure can be difficult because of the increased amount of advertisements which are typically slowing down your PC and keeps you from reaching the sites you need. The best way for this elimination is anti-malware tools. These programs like FortectIntego can scan your whole system and get rid of any potential threat.

Bundling techinques are actively used by PUP's developers 

You can find these programs disguised as useful search providers and similar extensions that are promoted thru their official sites. However, in most cases, PUP like this comes bundled with other freeware. During installation of any software (freeware, sharewaare, etc.), you are typically offered to choose between Custom/Advanced or Default/Quick options. You should not choose Quick options because it skips through software installation steps and puts your system at high-risk of getting malicious programs. 

Bundling[2] is widely used in marketing and makes a big difference in cybersecurity world, especially when people tend to rush software installation. To avoid it, you should always opt for Advanced or Custom installation mode.

Also, do not forget about software providers. Usunwirusa.pl[3] team is reminding that using a p2p network as freeware or update provider can lead you to adware or other malware infiltration. Those advertisements and dubious websites can also trick you into purchasing the infected software.

MagicControl adware

MagicControl elimination can be done using the reliable software only

To remove MagicControl virus, you should use certified tools for a full system scan. This can ensure proper virus termination as the scan finds and removes all possible threats with only one click. So, this means that all viruses relating MagicControl or not will be deleted.

However, we should add that MagicControl removal is time-consuming and requires attention, so we don't recommend opting for manual virus removal. These PUPs can spread together with browser helper objects and similar components that you need to get rid of to prevent consequences hailing from their unwanted behavior. The step-by-step guide and a few tool suggestions will prevent this infection in the future. 

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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