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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Oct 2020

How to remove MySearchDial virus

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

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

MySearchDial is a browser hijacker that hijacks systems in a form of Toolbar

MySearchDial hijack

MySearchDial is a browser hijacker that may be the reason why are you seeing unknown changes in your browsers and experiencing strange redirects during your web browsing. This PUP is promoted by its developers as a “very useful” application that is capable of enhancing users' browsing experience. However, in reality, it does not bring any value and can initiate more trouble than improvements in your computer system. When infected with this hijacker, you may start seeing Start.mysearchdial.com and other dubious sites instead of your homepage and default search engine. In addition, you can find a MySearchDial toolbar installed on your web browsers without expecting this. As a result, the virus starts tracking your searches and initiates other activities behind your back. The most common detection you will see for this infection is pup.optional.mysearchdial.

Name MySearchDial / pup.optional.mysearchdial
promoted as Browser toolbar
Type Browser hijacker
Sub-type PUP
Effects Modifies browsers' settings, causes dubious redirects, collects non-personal info
redirects to Start.mysearchdial.com
Browsers affected Chrome, Firefox, IE, etc.
Spreads via Bundled freeware, suspicious sites, and links
Elimination Use FortectIntego to get rid of the PUP

MySearchDial virus might affect these web browsers:

  • Google Chrome;
  • Mozilla Firefox;
  • Microsoft Edge;
  • Internet Explorer;
  • Safari;
  • Etc.

Right after the hijack virus offers numerous “useful” features to convince its victim that it is worth to be kept on the system. Features that are promised by My Search Dial include quick access to commonly visited sites, information about the newest sales, weather forecasts, traffic updates, etc. However, be careful as it is just another trick that developers use to convince gullible victims into using this application.

The main issue related to browser hijackers[1] like MySearchDial is that they are known for their ability to collect browsing experience-related data such as:

  • IP addresses[2];
  • Bookmarks;
  • Sites visited;
  • Pictures and videos viewed;
  • Etc.

Avoid such data tracking by performing the MySearchDial removal as soon as you spot the first symptoms of the virus. There is no need for keeping this kind of program on your computer as it is beneficial only for the developers. Better eliminate the cyber threat before your browser starts to struggle while carrying out even simple commands. We highly advise not to use this fake search engine as it might provide misleading search query results. 

If you want to avoid visiting misleading sites, browser slowdowns, and undo changes made by the hijacker on your computer, you need to remove MySearchDial virus from all your browsers and PC. For this purpose, you can perform manual removal steps that are given below or make this task easier by installing FortectIntego.

MySearchDial PUP

Browser hijackers can be spread in different ways

According to tech experts[3], a suspicious program can be spread using two main methods. First, you can easily download it from its official website in a form of a Toolbar an add this app to your PC system. It might be promoted as a legitimate and useful application. However, we recommend being wise and not believing in such lies because it might lead you to various issues.

The second method that PUPs may use is called bundling. Browser hijackers and other unwanted components come together with freeware or shareware. In order to avoid such secret and unwanted installation, you should stay away from doubtful free programs or opt out of their 'additional downloads' that are typically offered during their installation. You can do that by visiting the Custom/Advanced settings section.

Remove MySearchDial virus from all your browsers

To remove the MySearchDial virus from browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Edge, you need to get rid of all unwanted browser extensions, applications, and browser plug-ins. You can see the instructions for this method explained below in this text. Make sure you get rid of all extensions that belong to unknown developers or the ones that you can't remember installing.

You can deal with the MySearchDial removal in a faster way. Consider installing an anti-malware tool. These programs will provide quick instructions and help you carry out the entire process just in a couple of minutes.

Make sure you refresh your browsers and check if all components, that were added by MySearchDial hijack, are permanently gone and your web browsers are brought back to their starter positions.

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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