MyNetSpeed.co virus (Easy Removal Guide)
MyNetSpeed.co virus Removal Guide
What is MyNetSpeed.co virus?
MyNetSpeed.co hijack: how does it affect your browsers?
MyNetSpeed.co virus is an excellent example of a browser hijacker[1]. It can be downloaded from its representative website, which suggests checking your Internet speed. However, there is a small line at the bottom of the page that says “by clicking the button above, you agree to install this extension and agreeing to abide by the EULA and Privacy Policy. It turns out, when you click the “TEST NOW” button, you get a prompt to install MyNetSpeed extension. The extension compromises your web browser and modifies its settings without clearly telling you about it before these changes[2]. Our researcher has installed the extension and discovered that it modifies homepage and new tab page settings, and like the vast majority of parasites of this kind, assigns a new default search engine. The hijacker is set to promote MyNetSpeed.co search engine (the one it is named after). From the first glance at it, this search engine looks trustworthy, sadly, that’s not the case. When you enter a search term into it and hit the magnifying glass icon, it presents altered Yahoo search results. It is likely that Inexperienced PC users won’t notice the difference from the real Yahoo search results, but let us explain to you how these results differ from the actual ones. If you look at the tab name after being redirected to results’ pages, you will notice that the tab name says “Media.net Yahoo Search results” instead of simply Yahoo Search Results. It means that these search results are altered.
You might also notice that ads presented in between regular results seem interesting or are related to content that you have recently viewed online. Think it’s a coincidence? Not at all. Once installed, it supplements target browsers with tracking cookies and starts snooping for personally non-identifiable data that reveals your interests, for instance, keyword queries, browsing history, downloads, IP address, and similar data[3]. Later on, hijackware sums up collected data and analyzes it to discover what content would be interesting for you. Then it starts integrating ads from various ad networks into search results as well as displaying them in a pop-up, banner, and other forms of ads. If you click on such content, the author of the hijacker gets paid. What is worse, no one ensures your safety while you browse through such sites, so keep that in mind! You can accidentally end up on a malicious website and agree to install a corrupted Java update or just some suspicious programs that will pollute your PC system with useless and highly annoying components[4]. Consequently, the PC might start to function slowly, lag, and in general perform poorly. It goes without saying that MyNetSpeed.co removal can fix these problems, but you need to hurry up. It is never safe to keep such programs on the system – they might allow further spyware or malware infections get into your computer system easier. To remove MyNetSpeed.co redirect virus, we suggest using anti-malware tools (like RestoroIntego), but if you do not want to use them, just uninstall it manually.
When did you get infected with this parasite?
As we have mentioned, you can add this extension from its official website. However, the extension might be added to your browsers by a free program you might accidentally install along freeware or shareware[5]. Browser hijackers are annoying, but they operate in a legitimate way. For example, pests like MyNetSpeed.co hijack computer systems without users’ knowledge (in most cases), yet still are considered legitimate. How is that possible, you may ask. The answer is simple. Browser hijackers, adware, and system tools are frequently delivered as a “bonus” items next to other, more popular free programs. For example, when you decide to get a certain program from the Internet, try to find a safe-looking site to get it from, not some suspicious mass data sharing site. If you do so, make sure you deselect additional components added to it via Advanced/Custom settings.
Easy steps to complete MyNetSpeed.co removal
If you do not want to opt for automatic MyNetSpeed.co removal, that is entirely fine. Automatic removal option is not obligatory, yet highly recommended. To remove MyNetSpeed.co virus manually, please carefully read instructions we provide. Do not rush when trying to delete this hijacker, otherwise, you risk leaving several of its potentially dangerous components on PC. Please let us know if you can’t remove this hijacker – our experts will be glad to help you out!
You may remove virus damage with a help of RestoroIntego. 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 MyNetSpeed.co 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)
In Chrome, go to Add-ons tab and delete MyNetSpeed extension.
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
Remove MyNetSpeed extension immediately. Do not leave it in your browser if you want to browse safely.
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 MyNetSpeed.co 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: RestoroIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
- ^ What is a browser hijacker?. Webopedia: Online Tech Dictionary for IT Professionals.
- ^ Extensions that change your settings. Chrome Web Store Help.
- ^ Harold Dalma. Information about spyware and removal instructions. NoVirus. How to get rid of computer viruses.
- ^ Why should I download Java only from java.com?. Java. Oracle corporation.
- ^ Sabrina Berkenkopf. "Potentially Unwanted Programs": much more than just annoying. G DATA Software AG. Security Blog.