How to remove Softonic

Softonic is a questionable application that alters web browser settings without permission

Softonic – a well-known download website that offers a large variety of free applications. While the site is notorious for distributing bundled software, it has its own browser hijacker that takes over Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser. This search engine can trick users into installing other potentially unwanted apps.

Additionally, it alters the search engine so that users are forced to browse via hxxp://search.softonic.com, and searches made through it display an excessive amount of sponsored links. Furthermore, browser hijackers often engage in information gathering that relates to users' web browsing activities.

Softonic Web Search is a browser add-on^[1] that has been actively spread with the help of bundling,^[2] so there is no surprise that some of its victims cannot remember downloading it. Right after infiltration, it hijacks each of your web browsers and drops a new search provider. Typically, it's the aforementioned site or en.softonic.com, that have been promoted with the help of this technique.

As a result, the app gets a chance to start causing sponsored notifications on the victim's desktop. Their aim is to redirect users to predetermined websites and earn the money by tricking them into installing the required software. If you have never dealt with a similar browser hijacker before, we suggest you follow the instructions provided at the end of this article to get rid of this PUP. 

Browser hijacker removal is not a complicated process because it is a potentially unwanted program, not a serious virus

The main danger related to this PUP's popups and redirects is that they can end up on malicious websites. Most developers, who use pay-per-click scheme^[3] to earn the money, fail to double-check third parties before adding links to them. As a result, you can be redirected to a malware-infested website without knowing. 

No matter how reliable and trustworthy this app looks, you should be extremely careful with it. We highly recommend you remove Softonic from your computer, especially if it infiltrated it without your approval. If you can't do that manually, you can choose an easier way to do that – scan your computer with updated anti-virus and remove everything that was reported as unsafe. You can also check if there are no system issues caused by the virus left. For that, use FortectIntego.

Softonic is one of the latest examples of aggressive marketing used to promote questionable software. After falling for its popup notifications, you can fall for installing useless search engines, questionable browser add-ons, and other PUPs. If you have been dealing with this program for a while or if you clicked on one of its ads without realizing that it is fake, you should waste no time and scan your computer with reputable anti-spyware.

As we have already mentioned, browser hijacker removal is not a complicated process because it is a potentially unwanted program, not a serious virus. You can let this task for updated anti-spyware or use a step-by-step guide given at the end of this article. 

PUP uses manipulative UI options to prompt users to install further adware

Softonic Toolbar is distributed using unfair marketing techniques or with a help of its official website. Let us remind you that part of the programs promoted via the culprit's page site are useful, but you have to be careful when installing them. Otherwise, you might infect your computer with one or a couple of unwanted applications.

There is no wonder why so many computer users install PUPs from that site – it belongs to the top 200 of most popular sites in the world and it is extremely popular in the US and China^[4].

In addition, you can install the described toolbar consciously from the sites that promote it or in a bundle with other applications. When it comes to shady marketing, it usually relies on freeware and shareware and gets on its target PC as an extra ‘component’.

As soon as it is installed, it drops its own add-on and extensions and shows up on all Internet browsers. Please, avoid Softonic Web Search app because it is not created for improving your web search activities! Instead of that, it will cause altered search results and will redirect you to malicious websites.

Be aware that you may also be forced to enter a hacked site that promotes various malware. If you want to avoid this application, you should select only Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware because these two methods are the only ones that can help you to see what optional components are hiding in a program that you want to install.

If you haven’t installed the described program on your computer and now you are seeing it on each of the websites you visit, you should uninstall it without any delay. Use this guide for that.

Frequently asked questions about PUP.Optional.Softonic:

Question: Hello, I've been using Softonic for years but recently I installed some spyware-type programs from this site so I no longer feel safe using it. In fact, I decided to be more careful when choosing software download sources. For this reason, I am looking for a guide on how to delete the related account. Could you provide it for me?

Answer: Dear visitor, if you are willing to delete your account, please follow the provided instructions:

1. Visit the official site and make sure you're logged in. Click on your username and then choose Edit my Details (in the left panel).
2. Click on the Delete my account option. Confirm your choice by clicking Delete again. Selecting the reason why you want to leave is optional!

Question: How to uninstall Softonic Downloader? I am trying to uninstall this program via Control Panel, but nothing seems to work. Is there some kind of bug or error that I need to solve first? Please help!

Answer: Some users reported problems regarding this downloader removal. The problem seems to be associated with the program's components that prevent uninstalling the software from the system. The first thing that you want to do is to end all processes related to the downloader. You should open Windows Task Manager for that (click Control + Alt + Delete) and then check the Processes list for any processes related to the described downloader. Select them and end them.

Finally, we suggest you follow the guide provided below. It explains how to remove this PUP for Windows. If you get the “access denied” error when trying to uninstall it, kill all processes associated with the software and then clear your browsers from suspicious extensions.

Question: I accidentally installed Softonic Assistant, and it autoruns each time I start Windows. Is there a way to disable this program? Is it a virus or something? I can't stand the annoying messages that it shows to me. Everything was okay before I decided to install it!

Answer: If you are tired of the software that suggests alternative software to open files with unknown file extensions, you can remove it by uninstalling its components. This program is not malicious and can be removed easily. Please follow the instructions given down below.

Malwarebytes and other tools can detect and remove cyber threats

If you haven't installed the described application, you probably are looking for ways to remove Softonic virus. The first thing that you should know is that this application isn't a malicious program, thus it cannot be assigned to malware category and cannot be called a virus. It is recommended to remove it from the system because it usually slips into it unnoticed and many computer users complain about it.

You absolutely do not need to experience repetitious redirects potentially dangerous websites. For quick removal, follow these steps to fix your browsers.

The tutorial explains how to uninstall the app from Chrome and other web browsers in no time. Therefore, no matter which of your browsers were compromised, you can fix them by yourself.