Remove Search.abclauncher.com virus (Tutorial)

Search.abclauncher.com might deliver potentially dangerous links in the search results page

Search.abclauncher.com is a fake and insecure search engine, even though it is promoted as a highly efficient tool that can help users with easier searches online. Do not be deceived by these promises, as the app's actions or behavior indicate that it is nothing more but a browser hijacker.

In most cases, users install it unintentionally via the free program setups, which include it as an optional component. Unfortunately, websites and developers do not adequately transmit this information to users, resulting in the PUP being installed without consent. Upon installation, the hijacker changes the homepage functionality and appends its search engine, which results in active ad campaigns.

Name	Search.abclauncher.com
Type	Browser hijacker
Distribution	Promoted on various insecure websites, installed via software bundles
Operation	Changes the homepage and the new tab address of the web browser and appends a customized search engine; exposes users to sponsored links and ads – these are placed at the top of search results
Uninstall	Use anti-malware software or follow the manual guide below
Optional steps	We recommend using Fortect Intego to remediate damaged system files and for a quick cleaning process of the web browsers

Security experts know it as a browser hijacker that might attack Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other browsers. It was classified as a potentially unwanted program due to these reasons:

enters the system silently;
sets its domain as default search engine/homepage without asking for user’s permission;
alters search results;
delivers ads, sponsored links, and other commercial content;
redirects to suspicious websites;
tracks information.^[1]

On the affected system, the app typically modifies Windows registry and shortcuts to boot with system startup and prevent users from simple Search.abclauncher.com removal. However, with proper instructions, you should get rid of the app without any trouble.

Even though this search tool might look legitimate, you should not let it stay. It might let you browse through irrelevant and insecure websites, meddling with your daily browsing routine.

Suspicions about the app should arise when you try to learn more about developers, read Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Normally, Google prevents from visiting these pages and delivers a security alert saying that the connection is not private and attackers “might be trying to steal your information from www.abclauncher.com (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards).”

It goes without saying that such an alert should not be disregarded. The research also revealed that this shady tool is created for aggressive advertising purposes. Thus, you should not expect it to bring the best search results from the web and enhance your browsing experience.

Once you are redirected to the search results page, at the top of the list, you will see numerous ads. In order to see organic links, you will need to scroll to the middle of the page. However, inattentive users may not notice little letters saying that this content is sponsored and visit unknown websites.

The problem with commercial content is that it is potentially dangerous. Ads and links might lead to high-risk or misleading internet sites. Here you might be tricked into installing suspicious programs or involved in various cyber crimes. Thus, you should remove the hijacker to reduce the chance of encountering malware-infused websites.^[2]

Apart from that, the hijacker might also cause problems with redirects. Your browsing sessions might be disturbed by numerous redirects to various promotional sites. However, the analysis showed that PUP might also force users to visit gaming, gambling, or even websites for adults.

Such annoying activities should motivate you to achieve Search.abclauncher.com removal. We suggest speeding up the procedure with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or another anti-malware. Also, if you want to clean your web browsers quicker, you can try using Fortect Intego.

Bundling: how users are tricked into installing PUPs

ABC Launcher is distributed as an extra component in software packages. You can find the offer to replace your current search provider with this one when installing various programs downloaded from the internet. However, to spot and stop it, you need to choose the right installation settings.

The main advantage of bundling is that it allows hiding PUP under “quick” settings. This setup is widely used among users. Thus, authors of such programs take advantage of this bad habit. To protect your PC from undesired apps, you must opt for Advanced/Custom installation settings and deselect pre-selected optional programs.

These tips should be followed to avoid the installation of thousands of other PUPs currently being spread the same way. Nevertheless, the hijacker mostly aims at English-speaking users; some hijacks were spotted in Germany^[3] and France.

Clear your web browsers and delete the hijacker

At the end of the article, you will find manual Search.abclauncher.com removal instructions. They will help to find and delete all hijacker-related components from the device. Make sure that you delete all programs, files, and browser extensions.

However, if you rush and leave some virus-related entries, you may not succeed. In order to avoid failure and save time, we suggest the automatic elimination option. To remove all potentially unwanted programs at once, you will need a professional anti-malware tool. Just run a full system scan with an updated program and let it delete hijacker and other PUPs for you.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

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 Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
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.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

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.

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.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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 dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Search.abclauncher.com virus

Search.abclauncher.com might deliver potentially dangerous links in the search results page

Bundling: how users are tricked into installing PUPs