SocialDownloadr (Removal Instructions) - updated May 2019

SocialDownloadr Removal Guide

What is SocialDownloadr?

SocialDownloadr is a browser hijacker that alters web browser settings to monetize on pay-per-click scheme

SocialDownloadr hijackSocialDownloadr is a potentially unwanted program that infiltrates the machines with the help of software bundling technique

SocialDownloadr is a potentially unwanted application[1] that can be downloaded on the official website and was designed to backup photos. Nevertheless, most of the users will find the app installed without their permission, right after downloading shareware or freeware from the internet.

SocialDownloadr virus is usually installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser as an extension. Right after that, users will notice that their homepage, new tab address, and the search engine are set to search.socialdownloadr.com.

The potentially unwanted program will then prevent users from setting their homepage is the default unless SocialDownloadr removal is performed. Additionally, users might notice an increased amount of ads, popups, banners, etc. on all sites that they visit, redirects to dubious websites, as well as sponsored links at the top the search results, which are used for the pay-per-click[2] money-generating scheme.

Name SocialDownloadr
Type Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
Homepage set to search.socialdownloadr.com
Distribution Software bundling, ads, third-party sites
Symptoms Changed homepage and new tab URL
Risk factors Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, personal data disclosure to unknown parties, malware infections
Termination Delete the PUP automatically with anti-virus software or manually with the help of our guide below
Recovery For a swift recovery after the computer infection, scan it with FortectIntego

The main aim of SocialDownloadr is to display advertisements that are filled with third-party links, whose aim is to redirect people to predetermined sites. Beware that these links may also be used to redirect you to dangerous websites, so there is no doubt that you have to ignore SocialDownloadr ads, no matter how attractive they look.

If you have just started seeing its pop-up windows, banner ads, and similar commercial content on each of your web browsers, you should check the guide below and remove SocialDownloadr from your computer. If you need a quick solution, you can rely on anti-malware software, as well as FortectIntego repair tool to fix virus damage.

Unfortunately, but SocialDownloadr virus works not only by causing annoying pop-up ads on people's browsers. It also tracks its victims and collects information about their most visited websites and details that they add when visiting their favorite domains. With the help of this information, it can show people pop-up ads that are close to their interests. However, because of this ability, this program can reveal:

  • your email address,
  • IP address of the PC,
  • its location, and similar data.

If your Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome web browser is attacked by this browser hijacker,[3] you can try to avoid SocialDownloadr redirect to predetermined websites, misleading pop-up ads and similar activities. However, there is only one way to prevent tracking behind your back. If you want to avoid such activity, you have to consider SocialDownloadr removal from your computer. For that, check the guide on the second page of this post.

SocialDownloadrSocialDownloadr is a browser hijacker that changes the address of the homepage and new tab to search.socialdownloadr.com

Ways to get infected with a potentially unwanted program

Adware-type programs, browser hijackers and similar PUPs attack computer users by using ”software bundling”. In this case, SocialDownloadr is added to other software, which is offered for free. In most of the cases, the user is suggested to install computer performance enhancing products or services, free updates, extensions and plug-ins. However, this is a straight way to virus infiltration, so you must opt out of these suggestions.

The main way to prevent install of this virus is to select either Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware. However, you should be more cautious while downloading any software to the computer. It strongly suggested to read such terms as Privacy Policy or End User's License Agreement and get more knowledge about the program before its installation.

Secondly, stay away from Quick or Recommended installation options and monitor each step of this process. Now it is time to deselect any suspicious or unwanted files, such as SocialDownloadr or Search.socialdownloadr.com, which is related to this program. Finally, make sure you have a reliable anti-spyware that could let you check each of files before opening them. If you have just become a victim of this hijack, use out step-by-step guide given on the second page.

SocialDownloadr removal instructions

It is important to note that computer security threats evolve every day. However, security software is there to counter that, and many industry experts[4] work on improving virus detection techniques constantly. Therefore, if you want to remove SocialDownloadr virus from your computer, you can scan it with reputable anti-malware software (make sure it is up to date first).

SocialDownloadr virusAlthough technically the term SocialDownloadr virus is not correct, as it is not malware, potentially unwanted programs can expose users to malicious software, especially if not handled carefully

You can also perform SocialDownloadr removal manually – follow our guidelines below. Nevertheless, be aware that these instructions might be quite confusing for novice computer users. If you are one of them, rather let security software perform the task for your.

After SocialDownloadr elimination, you should reset each of the installed web browsers, including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. We also provide the guide for the procedure below.

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.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
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 SocialDownloadr. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

To stop the activities of SocialDownloadr, perform the following steps on Windows OS:

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

If you macOS is showing signs of PUP infection, follow this guide:

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

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

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 SocialDownloadr 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

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Jake Doevan
About the company Esolutions

References
Removal guides in other languages