Mountainbrowse.com virus (Free Guide)
Mountainbrowse.com virus Removal Guide
What is Mountainbrowse.com virus?
Should you keep Mountainbrowse.com on your computer?
Mountainbrowse.com virus is a typical browser hijacker infection that tricks users into thinking that they are applying for a legitimate and useful service. Instead, they exploit their computer resources and ruin their browsing experience just to make money.
As you can already suspect, this is not your typical search engine, though it looks completely inconspicuous at first. Identically to another hijacker called Browserhunt.com, this virus looks really legitimate, and its pleasant user interface does not simply allow you to consider other options. But, unfortunately, the computer security experts tell a completely different story. They warn the users that any change that occurs on the computer without the user’s permission already signifies trouble. Guess what?
Programs like Browserhunt.com hijack browsers too! And not only that. This virus also alters the browser’s settings to load this predetermined website every time you boot your browser, despite your attempts to switch to some other domains. Having this in mind, wouldn’t its removal be the most rational thing to do? We think so too and suggest getting rid of this bogus search engine using some reliable anti-malware tools.
| name | Mountainbrowse.com virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP |
| Symptoms | Default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences are changed without direct permission; search results are shown from unknown sources and contain tons of ads; redirects to shady websites |
| Risks | PUP installation, malware infections, privacy loss |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
| Elimination | Remove the pest from your device by running a full system scan with reliable anti-malware software |
| System health | Use the FortectIntego PC repair tool to fix any damages caused by the cyber infection |
Alright, we already put the stealthy installation aside, but there are many more questionable activities this browser hijacker secretly carries out on the infected computers. Let’s look at the Browserhunt.com redirect issue first, shall we? Imagine you just saw a link that looks like it contains some valuable information you’ve been searching the web for.
You click the link, but instead of seeing the anticipated site, you are suddenly redirected to some suspicious gambling site. This is how the browser hijacker developers make sure that the traffic on even the most obscure websites is increased, and they can collect their advertising revenue.
Because of this additional activity, your computer system may start malfunctioning too. The slow system performance diminishes the system defense capacities, so naturally, your computer becomes more vulnerable to different malware infections. Be quick to eliminate these vulnerabilities and remove Browserhunt.com from your computer without delay because if you let the virus be, you soon may have some more nasty infections to worry about.
To remove Mountainbrowse.com and any other potentially unwanted programs, you should download either SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Either of these trustworthy AV tools will locate and remove all threats automatically. Afterward, by using the FortectIntego system diagnostics software you can rest assured that all your system files and core settings and in order.
Methods do the malware creators choose for software distribution
Mostly, Mountainbrowse.com creators will try to sneak their nasty creation on your computer along with other programs. Typically, they choose the popular applications that generate a lot of downloads, such as P2P sharing apps, PDF converters, and similar.
The potentially unwanted programs are then placed under the “Advanced” or “Custom” settings so that the users who are accustomed to installing software via “Quick” or “Recommended” modes would unknowingly agree to install these insecure programs on their computers as well.
The advanced mode, however, will help you disclose the additionally added components (for instance, the agreement to set the article's culprit URL as your homepage) and give you the opportunity to ban them from your computer.
Mountainbrowse.com removal and browser recovery options
Before trying to recover your browser and set your preferred homepage and search engine to open when it is initiated, you will have to remove Mountainbrowse.com and all of its related junk files from your computer first.
We recommend doing that with legally obtained, professional antivirus utilities. Then, choose the full system scan option in the software's setup, and the rest will be sorted out for you.
If for some reason, you can’t run the automatic scan, your antivirus utility does not detect the infection, or you are simply looking for other Mountainbrowse.com removal alternatives, check the manual virus elimination tutorial provided below. In the same guide, you will also find instructions on how to reset your browser safely.
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 Mountainbrowse.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
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)
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
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.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 Mountainbrowse.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 browser hijacker
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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