Qone8.com (Virus Removal Instructions) - Jan 2020 update

Qone8.com Removal Guide

What is Qone8.com?

Qone8.com – a browser hijacker that can drop odd shortcuts on your Windows menu and desktop

Qone8.com browser hijackerQone8.com is a browser-hijacking application that can hijack web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, and others, and set the default search engine to search.qone8.com or start.qone8.com

Qone8.com is a useless and very questionable product that gets distributed by another PUP marked as Omiga. Afterward, the browser hijacker inserts its files into your hard disk one of which can be named omigaplus_IE.exe. A user has reported dealing with this unwanted app on his Google Chrome web browser[1] but the app can also appear on other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Qone8.com, developed by Taiwan Shui Mu Chih Ching Technology Limited, is similar to Portaldosites.com, Qou6.com, and many other search sites. The main goal of this browser hijacker is to interfere with major browser settings and deliver intrusive notifications which, according to another user's complaint,[2] make an annoying sound while appearing on the computer screen. Also, you might find that the suspicious app has included questionable shortcuts into your Windows menu bar and on your PC's desktop.

Name Qone8.com
Type Browser hijacker/potentially unwanted program
Developer This suspicious product has been developed by Taiwan Shui Mu Chih Ching Technology Limited
Distributed by The browser hijacker can get distributed through a deceptive technique known as “software bundling” but it also is known to be brought to the computer by Omiga
Related file When the potentially unwanted program infiltrates the machine, it places the omigaplus_IE.exe file in your hard drive
Similar to This browser hijacker shares many similarities with others of its kind that are named Qou6.com, Portaldosites.com, etc.
Search engine Once the app reaches the web browser, it modifies the default search engine that can be set to search.qone8.com or start.qone8.com
Termination You can terminate the potentially unwanted program and all the additional products that it has brought to the computer by employing automatical software. Also, you can use the manual guiding steps that have been appended to the end of this article
Fix tip If you have discovered that any of your PC's registries or other areas have been altered, you can try fixing things by using a repair tool such as FortectIntego

After entering the targeted web browser, Qone8 virus performs unexpected changes on the browser's default search provider, homepage, and new tab URL. It sets these sections as search.qone8.com or start.qone8.com. Afterward, users are forced to use the new search engine that still takes users straight to Google and gathers results from there.

As you should have already noticed, there is no purpose to use Qone8.com when you can just use the original Google search engine instead. Besides, if you change your search engine to a different one, you might be loaded with unwanted notifications that will likely start interrupting you during browsing activities.

Qone8 malware removal is a common topic searched by Internet users as a lot of people have been struggling with the unexpected changes that come provided by this browser hijacker and its intrusive ads. As we have already mentioned, the PUP even drops advertisements that pop out by causing interruptive sounds.

Qone8.com might push all types of offers to you such as coupons for various products, “free” prizes, requests to update your software, urges to download a rogue system optimization tool, and so on. This way you can get easily tricked into a scam and spend your money on a useless product or service.

Qone8 virusQone8 is a PUP that can start collecting non-personal information related to the person's browsing sessions and online experience for income

Nevertheless, you might be manipulated by Qone8.com to provide personal information while entering some type of survey or fake prize claim. Beware not to put any private data on the Internet as it can easily get exposed. The same goes for credentials that can be used for subscribing you to a completely useless and expensive service.

PUP.Optional.Qone8 might seem a useful program from the first view as it can aim to provide fast access to popular social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and well-known e-shopping stores such as Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. However, these features are not worth the other intrusive activity that is brought by the browser hijacker.

Continuously, Qone8.com can start recording information that is related to your browsing sessions. These types of details usually refer to most frequently visited websites, hyperlinks and adverts accessed, bookmarks saved, your IP, etc. Afterward, the data is mostly used in targeted advertising campaigns or for sharing it with other parties.

Another unexpected feature of Qone8.com is the possibility to redirect users to affiliate sources. While using the PUP's services, you might be easily taken to a website that is filled with suspicious offers. Nevertheless, this way you might get forcibly landed on a location that holds dangerous malware infections, e.g. trojans.

Qone8.com virusQone8.com is a browser hijacker that travels together with another PUP known as Omiga

Qone8.com removal is the best way to avoid all the potential dangers that can be brought while keeping the potentially unwanted program on your system. This app can get easily terminated with a reliable antimalware product. According to VirusTotal information,[3] the domain has been detected as malicious by Fortinet and Forcepoint ThreatSeeker AV tools.

You can also remove Qone8.com with the help of the manual instructions that have been added to the end of this article. It is important not only to check your operating system but also clean all the infected web browser applications as the browser hijacker might have included suspicious extensions and other components there.

Browser hijackers appear on systems after skipping crucial installing steps

According to cybersecurity experts from LosVirus.es,[4] browser hijackers may appear on your machine without your awareness. However, this mostly happens due to a part of the victim's fault while rushing to complete installing processes and skipping crucial. Our point is that you should take care of all downloading tasks properly, otherwise, you might easily end up with a potentially unwanted program on your computer and browsers.

Also, when installing freeware on PC, you should select the Custom or Advanced installation option and then carefully follow its every installation step. You should deselect the checkmark that claims that you want to alter your start page, default search engine, and new tab page. By doing that, you will prevent browser hijacker infiltration. Of course, you should also opt-out of all suspicious browser plugins, toolbars, and extensions.

If you want to protect yourself from questionable search engines properly, another thing that you should do is to install anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that include the secure browsing feature and will ensure that your computer is always protected from potential threats. Also, to ensure the tool's proper operation, you should update the antivirus program every time you are required to.

Qone8.com removal instructions

Qone8.com is a browser hijacker that should be eliminated from the system without wasting time, otherwise, you will be left struggling with unwanted browser changes for a while. For the termination, we recommend using reputable security software that is mentioned in the Automatic program's removal guide. However, if you already have reliable antimalware software, you can definitely use your own liked program for completing the process.

Also, Qone8.com removal can be carried out with the help of manual step-by-step guidelines that have been presented to you at the end of this article. There you will find steps on how to clean your Windows/macOS computer and also refresh web browser applications such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari that were also touched by the browser-hijacking infection.

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.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Qone8.com. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

To eliminate the browser hijacker from your Windows computer system, employ the following guiding steps.

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

To clean your Microsoft Edge web browser from suspicious products and changes, use the below-provided instructions.

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 on Uninstall at the bottom. 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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

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

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

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. 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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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

To get rid of suspicious extensions from your Google Chrome web browser and bring its settings back to the primary state, apply the following guidelines.

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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 Qone8.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.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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References
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