Sowin8.com virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Instructions
Sowin8.com virus Removal Guide
What is Sowin8.com virus?
Sowin8.com – a potentially unwanted program that records your online activities
Sowin8.com is a highly untrustworthy search engine that silently tracks[1] user’s activities online. It often gets set up by questionable third-party programs that travel in software bundles[2]. Also, the browser hijacker might attempt to serve you ads in the form of search results which it may inject into results of legitimate search engines.
Once installed, the PUP does not initiate any highly aggressive activities. It simply switches the values in every browser’s homepage and default search preferences. As a consequence, browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or others start launching the described domain on the browser’s startup or in every new tab that the victim opens.
| name | Sowin8.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| infections symptoms | Browser preferences are modified without your direct consent; search results contain tons of misleading ads |
| Risks | Privacy issues, malware infections |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
| Elimination | Remove it by performing a full system scan with our recommended security tools |
| System health | Use the FortectIntego PC repair tool to fix all system irregularities |
At first, the user might not suspect anything as the search site looks clean and trustworthy. There are no ads or pop-ups coming out of it; however, its services are shady. First of all, you won’t find the Privacy Policy document nor Terms of Use on the main page of the search site, which is highly suspicious. The user is left out without any information regarding the site’s data collection policies or similar details.
Unfortunately, browser hijackers like the described one have no doubts whether to collect details describing user’s interests or not. They transfer search queries, browsing history, clicks, and other related data to their servers immediately. Using collected data, they build anonymous user-profiles and store data about users’ preferences. Later on, gathered details are analyzed and used to serve catchy ads.
Catchy does not mean useful, says Udenvirus.dk team[3]. Clicking on doubtful ads can redirect to hazardous Internet sites. The primary purpose of serving these ads and causing redirects is pay-per-click revenue and not user satisfaction.
Therefore, we believe that the browser hijacker's removal is the best option you can go for. Consider installing a reliable anti-spyware software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes and deleting all of the hijacker’s remains automatically. Such software will ensure that similar threats can't get in your device in the future.
You have another option if you do not want to remove Sowin8.com using automated spyware or malware removal tools. Please use the instructions provided below the article and delete the unwanted hijacker manually. Whichever method you pick, afterward, use the FortectIntego tool to fix all system-related issues.
You can install a PUP without realizing it
Potentially unwanted programs hijack user computers without the user’s knowledge, but they do need user interaction in order to reach the target system. Therefore, they tend to present themselves as “recommended downloads” next to other free programs (usually popular ones).
- When installing free software, you should always choose Custom or Advanced installation options because these will allow you to view and reject unwanted items bundled with your download.
- Choosing Default or Standard settings leaves you no chance to configure components of your download, so we suggest avoiding these.
- Finally, carefully choose Internet sources to download software from. We always recommend opting for websites of official software developers and not some untrustworthy file-sharing sources.
A simple guide to remove Sowin8.com virus
Now that a browser hijacker compromises your computer, your primary task is to remove Sowin8.com as soon as you can. Our team's instructions will help you get rid of the threat and continue using your computer safely.
Potentially unwanted programs often tend to travel in tandem with other suspicious software, and sometimes it can be hard to identify them. Therefore, we highly recommend finishing the removal with a complete system scan using trustworthy anti-malware software.
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.
Getting rid of Sowin8.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Clean your Mac computer system by deleting unwanted applications.
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Y
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 Sowin8.com 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
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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.
- ^ Tracking Cookies: What They Are, and How They Threaten Your Privacy. Tom's Guide. Tech Product Reviews, Top Picks and How To.
- ^ Liam Tung. Google: Unwanted bundled software is way more aggressive than malware. ZDNet. Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews.
- ^ UdenVirus. UdenVirus. Malware Removal Tutorials.