Search.getvideomonkey.com – a browser-hijacking app that brings search results from Yahoo
Search.getvideomonkey.com is a browser hijacker which infects Mac computers.[1] It is also called a potentially unwanted program as the app gets into the system unnoticed. However, once it is in, the virus modifies the web browsers which it targets. It sets the main search engine to its own, modifies the homepage and new tab URL section.
Once this happens, users are forced to use the new search engine unless he/she decides to get rid of the browser hijacker and all of its helper objects. This PUP also redirects to developer-sponsored pages, some of which might be infected with malware.[2] Continue reading and learn more about this suspicious app and how to remove it.
| Name | Search.getvideomonkey.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Sub-type | Potentially unwanted program |
| Target | Mac computers, but could also affect Windows systems |
| Browser changes | This PUP sets the default search engine to Search.getvideomonkey.com, modifies the main page and other sections |
| Danger level | Low as this app does not harm any systems |
| Distributing | From other apps and websites |
| Elimination | Use reliable software to find all helper objects and eliminate them |
| damage recovery | If your system shows instability issues, scan it the FortectIntego PC repair tool |
The article's culprit can perform a wide variety of unwanted activities such as:
- browser changes (homepage, search engine, URL bar);
- redirecting to developer-promoted content;
- gathering non-personal information;
- placing annoying notifications.
Even though Search.getvideomonkey.com virus is not truly a virus, people call it so due to the activities it performs without the user's consent. Note that you will need to get rid of the application. Otherwise, the intrusive activities will continue, and you will not be able to bring your browser's search engine back to its previous state.
Furthermore, the PUP gathers and provides search results from a legitimate search engine called Yahoo. As you can see, the program itself does not do anything useful. It might try to convince you about its usefulness by providing some handy features such as fast access to social networks, online gaming, and movie watching sites.
Do not get tricked by this app. We suggest proceeding with its removal as soon as possible. If you want to use your web browser normally again, you will need to eliminate each PUP-added component such as browser plug-ins, extensions, add-ons, and any other related content.
Detect and remove the infection with the help of reliable anti-malware software such as MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. Afterward, use our free guides below to restore altered browser settings. And lastly, perform system diagnostics with the FortectIntego app to fix all system irregularities.
Note that Search.getvideomonkey.com has other unpleasant features. This potentially unwanted cyber threat can gather non-personal information for beneficial reasons. The developers have access to the content of your browsing history, so they can see all of your most visited pages, clicked links, and other details.
Browser hijackers can appear secretly
If you want to avoid potentially unwanted applications such as browser hijackers, you need to always pay attention to what you are doing. These rogue programs can enter your computer system through a deceptive marketing model called “bundling”[3] or through infected links. Also, secret infiltration can be the cause of skipped downloading/installing steps.
By staying away from unknown content, you will protect yourself, your computer, and its components from rogue programs such as browser-hijacking apps. Avoid all suspicious-looking websites, free downloading sources, and other third-party networks as browser hijackers are most likely to appear in those unprotected pages.
Moreover, always take a look at your downloads, do not allow any rogue content to slip in. However, sometimes it might not be that simple to achieve. That is why we recommend users enabling the Custom or Advanced installation mode. Here you will be able to track down all incoming objects and deny the installation of programs you were not expecting to come.
Delete Search.getvideomonkey.com browser hijacker and reverse browser changes
According to cybersecurity specialists from Virusai.lt,[4] the best way to remove Search.getvideomonkey.com virus and other similar threats is by downloading and installing reliable security tools. These programs are capable of dealing with various cyber threats and ensure that the entire process is completed safely and effectively.
However, you can perform its removal on your own if you like to. But keep in mind that you will be experiencing a little bit of risk of missing some rogue components. Open your Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge, and Safari web browsers, and investigate all suspicious content that the browser-hijacking application might have left.
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.
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