Remove Moviesfanatic.com redirect (Virus Removal Guide) - updated Mar 2018
Moviesfanatic.com is a fraudulent search directory which is offering quick access to movies
Name | Moviesfanatic.com |
Type | Browser Hijacker |
Danger Level | Medium |
Distribution | Spreads bundled together with freeware |
Symptoms | Sets itself as the primary search provider by assigning to homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL |
Moviesfanatic.com is a fraudulent search engine which shares the features of a browser hijacker. In other terms, this search directory looks similar to Google, Bing or Yahoo. However, its primary goal is to hijack your regular browser and set itself as the primary search provider. This way, the potentially unwanted program (PUP) will be able to generate never-ending ads and track your activity online.
Questions about Moviesfanatic.com redirect
Usually, Moviesfanatic.com virus may infiltrate your computer in a bundle with freeware and shareware as an optional component. This is often done without any direct warning of the user. So, it is evident that such programs should never be trusted or let inside one's system.
After Moviesfanatic.com hijack, the user can notice slight changes which are applied to its regular browser, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. At first, they might seem insignificant while later, the person is unable to use another search engine instead of this unreliable one.
That's the biggest problem because MovieFanatic also shares the features of an ad-supported program. In other terms, it tries to generate revenue for its developers by pay-per-click[1] marketing scheme — the contrivers gain profit from the traffic brought to affiliate websites from the fake search engine.
Even though we can't declare that each of Moviesfanatic.com search result is wrong, but you should keep in mind that one part of them can be filled with commercial content and links that may lead you to suspicious websites. In fact, there is a risk that you can end up on a site where hackers distribute malicious programs and infect your computer with one.
Finally, you should be aware of Moviesfanatic.com tracking ability. This browser hijacker is set to collect information about people's search terms, most visited websites and data that they enter when visiting them. No matter how harmless it may seem, there are lots of activities that require such information.
Note that the developers of MoviesFanatic will be able to access the following information:
- IP address;
- Geolocation;
- Clicked ads;
- Frequently visited pages;
- Search queries, etc.
Additionally, despite the fact that such data is classified as personally non-identifiable, some of the submitted details might contain personally identifiable information as well. Such actions should not be tolerated since you can never be sure that the collected details will not be misused against you in the future.
Moviesfanatic.com is an unreliable search engine which supposedly provides quick access to film streaming websites.
For all the reasons mentioned above, we recommend you to remove Moviesfanatic.com as soon as you notice its presence. This fake search directory might stealthily infiltrate additional components, so we suggest using a professional malware removal tool for the elimination procedure. Our top pick would be Reimage Reimage Cleaner .
However, if you want to try manual Moviesfanatic.com removal, check the end of this article. There you will find guidelines showing how to uninstall this browser hijacker from your system and reset the modifications made.
Explaining how browser hijackers enter your system
We want to warn you, that potentially unwanted programs, including browser hijackers, are not remotely infiltrated on your system. In fact, you unconsciously can install these programs during the installation of unreliable free software online. Usually, it might be shady system optimization tools or PDF converters.
PUPs are distributed by employing a popular marketing tactic, called bundling[2]. This method is designed to offer two products as one to increase the sales. Unfortunately, many people are tricked to infiltrate browser hijackers without fully understanding it. Likewise, next time you install software, read its Privacy policy and End User's License Agreement.
Besides, you should select Custom or Advanced installation option and then carefully follow every installation step. When doing so, you should uncheck all pre-checked check marks that allow installation of PUPs. If this page has already shown up on your web browsers, you should think about its removal.
Uninstall Moviesfanatic.com virus right now
If you have noticed any of the symptoms mentioned above, it means that your computer is infected with Moviesfanatic.com virus. It is not as dangerous as ransomware-type infections. Although, its elimination might be tricky for a novice computer user and lead to system damage.
If you want to save your time and make sure that Moviesfanatic.com removal will be completed safely, NoVirus.uk team suggests choosing[3] an automatic elimination method. It requires you to get an antivirus and run a full system scan to examine and detect potentially unwanted programs. Later, the security software will uninstall them with a few clicks.
After you remove Moviesfanatic.com, do not forget to reset the alterations made by the browser hijacker to your system. Below you will find a guide showing how to reset Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and other browsers to the primary state.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . 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.
To remove Moviesfanatic.com redirect, follow these steps:
Remove Moviesfanatic.com from Windows systems
If you find Moviesfanatic on your Windows system, immediately perform the following steps:
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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 Moviesfanatic.com and related programs
Here, look for Moviesfanatic.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Moviesfanatic.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.
Get rid of Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.com removal.
Uninstall Moviesfanatic.com redirect 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, Moviesfanatic.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Delete Moviesfanatic.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Usually browser hijackers hide additional components which support their activity. Likewise, you must uninstall all suspicious extensions to fix Mozilla.
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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 Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.com removal.
Erase Moviesfanatic.com from Google Chrome
Simple Moviesfanatic removal won't stop it from reappearing on Chrome. You have to delete the additional components which are related to the hijacker as shown below.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.com removal.
Remove Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.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 Moviesfanatic.com removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Pay-Per-Click. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Bundling. BusinessDictionary. Online Business Dictionary.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. Security and Spyware News.
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