Remove Searchkska.xyz virus (Removal Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Searchkska.xyz browser hijacker uses Trovi to deliver deceptive search results
Searchkska.xyz virus is a version of Trovi browser hijacker[1] that meddles with browser’s settings without user’s knowledge. Typically, SearchKsKa browser hijacker changes homepage address to hxxp://Searchkska.xyz/ and sets the same URL as default search provider. The presence of this program is intolerable, so you should remove it from your PC as soon as you can.
Searchkska main page reminds a simple browser’s default page – it is entirely white, has a search box on it, and eight shortcuts to popular websites such as Facebook, Youtube, Yahoo, VK, Twitter, Wikipedia, eBay, and Amazon. Although these shortcuts are trustworthy, the search engine isn’t.
After making a search query via this search engine, the search query will be sent to trovi.com first, and only then the victim receives Bing search results. However, it is believed that these search results can be altered and filled with untrustworthy links leading to Trovi’s affiliate sites.
The bogus search engine causes URL redirections to drive traffic to particular websites and this way it functions as a tool that generates revenue for SearchKsKa developers. Unfortunately, our experience shows that results brought by such vague search tools are not trustworthy.
They may contain links that throw victims onto dubious sites asking to participate in scam surveys or install shady freeware. Even if you find some relevant information through the discussed search tool, you shouldn’t count on it at all times.
Another reason to remove SearchKsKa.xyz virus is the fact that it replaced your browser’s settings without your knowledge. The method used in its distribution is not considered illegal; however, it is very annoying. On top of that, we must add that the hijacker silently tracks victim as a user – it doesn’t target personally identifiable information, but it seeks to collect one’s IP address, search queries, browsing history, downloads, clicks, URLs of favorite sites and related information.
If you’d like to keep such information private, initiate SearchKsKa.xyz removal in the near future. If you can’t uninstall it from the system, allow Reimage Reimage Cleaner or Malwarebytes help you with that. In case you are determined to delete the hijacker manually, follow SearchKsKa.xyz removal guidelines we provide.
Our research shows that this browser hijacker rampages in US and France mostly. If you are a French-speaking computer user, we invite you to visit LesVirus.fr[2] site, which provides cyber security tips in your language.
Searchkska.xyz is a modified version of Trovi browser virus. In fact, it sends all victim's search queries to Trovi.com before landing the victim on Bing's search results' page.
The growing number of browser hijackers shows that users don’t know how to avoid installing them
Sadly, the majority of computer users install browser hijackers without realizing how dangerous these programs can be. Users often overlook statements about additional programs that will be installed alongside the main program, usually because they do not bother themselves reading information written in fine print.
The majority of users who experience a browser hijack start thinking that their computer was infected with a virus. In reality, these programs aren’t viruses – they belong to spyware category, and their distribution method (software bundling[3]) is legitimate. However, to avoid misunderstandings, we strongly recommend you to follow these rules whenever you decide to install a new program on your computer:
- Download the software from legitimate web sources only. Do not rely on shady and untrustworthy Internet sites full of ads and misleading download buttons.
- Do not rush during the installation of your chosen software. We strongly advise you to select Custom or Advanced option to install your download. Usually, these settings expand and provide the user with a list of extra software. The user then can choose which programs he wants to install and which ones he’d like to reject.
Remove Searchkska.xyz redirect virus
To prevent this browser hijacker from redirecting you to strange Internet sites, remove Searchkska.xyz virus today. You shouldn’t delay this task because this potentially unwanted program can put your privacy and security at risk, even if it is not malicious itself. If you or your relative decides to use Searchkska as a search tool, the probability of visiting a doubtful Internet site skyrockets.
If this browser hijacker changed your browser’s settings and now you do not know how to fix them, use Searchkska.xyz removal tutorial we provided. Clearly, you can use an automatic spyware removal software to complete this task easier.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . 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.
To remove Searchkska.xyz virus, follow these steps:
Uninstall Searchkska.xyz from Windows systems
Uninstall all Trovi-related components – Search Protect, Searchkska, Conduit, Trovi and other suspicious programs from the system. Then, follow the provided instructions to clean compromised browser shortcuts. You must delete hxxp://Searchkska.xyz/ from them.
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Searchkska.xyz and related programs
Here, look for Searchkska.xyz or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Searchkska.xyz from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Erase Searchkska.xyz from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Searchkska.xyz or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate Searchkska.xyz from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Searchkska.xyz and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Searchkska.xyz removal.
Remove Searchkska.xyz virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Searchkska.xyz should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Delete Searchkska.xyz from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To fix Firefox, you must remove Searchkska add-on from it. We also highly recommend deleting other vague extensions that you haven't installed by your choice.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Searchkska.xyz and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Searchkska.xyz removal.
Get rid of Searchkska.xyz from Google Chrome
Delete Trovi extension, also Search Protect, Searchkska, and other dubious Chrome extensions. To find all of them, use the provided guidelines.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Searchkska.xyz and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Searchkska.xyz removal.
Uninstall Searchkska.xyz from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Searchkska.xyz or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Searchkska.xyz, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Searchkska.xyz removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Watch out for the latest in browser hijackers – Qtipr.com, Motious.com and Launchpage.org. eSolutions. IT Security News.
- ^ LesVirus. LesVirus. Malware Removal Tutorials, IT Security Tips.
- ^ Liam Tung. Google: Unwanted bundled software is way more aggressive than malware. Zdnet. Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews.
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