Pro Search (Virus Removal Instructions) - Free Guide
Pro Search Removal Guide
What is Pro Search?
Pro Search is the search hijacker that promotes other sites like Tailsearch.com
Pro Search – the browser hijacker that manipulates search settings, so the online traffic can be controlled. This potentially unwanted program triggers various changes on the web browser to promote sponsored content, expose users to advertisements and other third-party material online. There are various preferences and settings that this threat can alter to keep the PUP more persistent. Even when users install the browser tool un purpose by falling for the promotional ads, the PUP should be deleted as soon as possible since this is useless and cannot improve the performance in any way.
You cannot call it a Pro Search virus, but once the toolbar or another application gets installed, you cannot access any needed content that is valuable for you. The PUP can get extremely intrusive the more time it gets to run on the machine. So make sure to clear the intruder off of the system once you notice any changes.
| Name | Pro Search |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| promotes | Tailsearch.com |
| IP address | 104.27.146.124 |
| Distribution | Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts[1] |
| Symptoms | Unknown extension or application is installed on the system; homepage and new tab address are set to the related search provider; Pro Search search engine is appended to the homepage; search results get filled with sponsored links and commercial content, banners |
| Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to data tracking and malvertising[2] techniques |
| Removal | You can remove Pro Search potentially unwanted program by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware tools that can find and terminate the programs with all the associated files automatically |
| Optional steps | PUPs trigger significant damage to system files and PC functions. To revert these changes and recover the OS, perform a full system scan with FortectIntego or a similar PC repair software |
Pro Search is the search engine app that gets installed on the browser behind the user's back because PUPs are designed to interfere with settings without the knowledge of the person. This tactic allows PUPs to control what sites appear on the screen and what sponsored content appears on the browser.
In most cases, such intruders like Pro Search rely on redirecting techniques and commercial content traffic, so the revenue can be generated for third-party advertisers and other PUP creators. This is the main goal of these browser-based threats. Making a profit, creating views, page visits is the only aim.
You should avoid clicking on anything that is related to Pro Search hijack, so you can keep the machine safe from all the PUPs and other intrusive programs. There is nothing valuable about the cyber threat and the content that you get exposed to. Rely on proper tools in the anti-malware category like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, so these infections get cleared off automatically and your machine works as it is supposed to.
Pro Search is nothing but a cyber intruder that aims to get more views and page visits on sites that sponsor the PUP distribution and delivery, so you can uninstall the program, the toolbar, extensions, other related applications. However, the PUP that triggers and controls these activities runs in the background and cannot be found that easily.
You should run the proper procedure if you want to remove Pro Search from the PC. Launch anti-malware tool or security programs, as experts[3] always suggest to do. Then you can see the detection results and choose programs that can be eliminated from the system.
Pro Search removal process is not ending there because you also need to clear the web browser from any unwanted or potentially dangerous content. You can reset those applications fully to default with the help of a guide below. You need to pay attention to the fact that all the online content that you get exposed to can also trigger additional installs of intruders, so running a full system scan with the AV tool is beneficial either way. Even when you manage to eliminate the PUP from the system by uninstalling the browser extension or application. Rely on tools like FortectIntego too, so system functions get fully recovered.
Control the security of your device by paying attention
You can and should choose proper sources for the programs you download from the internet. There are various issues that such hijackers and adware programs create besides being intrusive and annoying because running silently in the background allows PUPs to trigger changes and even install additional browser-based threats.
You can avoid these installations in the first place and keep the machine secure entirely. It is done by going for Advanced or Custom options during any installation of the program or tool. This is how you can see the list of all included apps and choose which ones to install on the PC. Do so every time you download anything from the web.
Pro Search hijack termination requires attention to details
You should remove Pro Search from the system as soon as you notice redirects and pop-ups or different content delivery instead of the normal search queries. You can fight the intruder automatically with proper tools that run a check on the machine and indicate various intruders that affect the performance of your computer.
This way, you not only find the virus that bothers you. By running a proper Pro Search removal with anti-malware tools, you also improve the performance significantly once all the applications and possibly malicious threats get indicated and deleted properly.
Do not forget about Pro Search virus damage and additional changes that the intruder makes to keep the persistence up. You should rely on tools that can provide optimization for the system and help with the damaged system files and functions.
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 Pro Search. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Rely on the guide and remove Pro Search properly
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
Reset the browser and forget about PUPs and shady applications
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 Pro Search 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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- ^ Steve Ranger. This fake software update tries to download malware onto your PC even when you click 'later'. Zdnet. Technology and security news.
- ^ Malvertising. Wikipedia. The free encyclopeida.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Spyware related news.