Remove Tapxchange.com (Removal Guide) - Nov 2015 update
Tapxchange.com virus might take control over Chrome, Firefox, IE and other web browsers
Tapxchange.com is a search engine that belongs to the group of browser hijackers.[1] This potentially unwanted program (PUP) spreads in software bundles and alters targeted browser’s settings in order to cause suspicious activities, such as controlling search results, delivering ads, tracking information,[2] etc.
Due to the sneaky distribution technique, the hijacker might enter the system unnoticed. However, users can easily notice the signs of PUP. Once they open the affected browser, they might find the changed main page and default search engine.
Tapxchange.com looks safe, and it is similar to any other search engine – and an inexperienced PC user would never even think that there is something suspicious about this search engine. The issue is, this website does not provide relevant search outcomes. It provides altered search results, which lead to untrustworthy third-party databases.
It might redirect to websites that may try to convince you to install questionable programs or updates to your PC. Be cautious and reject such offers, because third-party sites sometimes promote infected programs. Of course, we cannot guarantee that every page you may be redirected to is entirely unsafe; but the bigger part of such redirections are unreliable.
Thus, we suggest scanning the computer with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or another anti-malware program that can remove Tapxchange.com from the device entirely. Once the hijacker is gone for good, you will be able to set your preferred homepage, search engine, and browse the web safer.
The virus might also redirect people to ai.tapxchange.com and other suspicious websites. Usually, they promote questionable content. However, you might also end up on tech support scam or phishing site.
Questions about Tapxchange.com
Apart from these suspicious and annoying activities, this PUP might also collect particular information about users. Browsing-related information is useful for delivering targeted ads and gaining advertising-based revenue from the clicks. In order to achieve this goal he hijacker might collect:
- IP address;
- technical information about computer, OS, and browser;
- search keywords;
- browsing history;
- clicked ads;
- time spent on particular sites or pages;
- etc.
Often developers of such programs share aggregated information with third parties. Who are they and what they are going to do with your profile is unknown. Most likely they will flood your browser with more commercial content. However, the worst scenario is identity theft. Thus, to avoid that you should start Tapxchange.com removal ASAP.
Browser hijacker spreads in an indirect way
Tapxchange.com is frequently being attached to other programs and spread together with them. Such pack of programs is called a software bundle. Bundling is a very popular method nowadays to spread potentially unwanted applications (browser hijackers, adware, plug-ins, add-ons, and browser extensions).[3]
The developers of PUPs use this distribution method because it is very efficient way to inject their products to users' computers' unnoticeably. Thus, the hijacker might easily become a problem for users all over the world, from Sweden[4] to Japan and United States.
The software bundle usually hides agreements to install such attachments by concealing them under “default” and “standard” installation modes. Instead of choosing these options, you should select the other option – either “advanced” or “custom.” By deselecting third-party apps, you can prevent not only Tapxchange.com hijack but the entrance of other PUPs too.
Tapxchange.com might hijack browser's homepage and force to use its suspicious search service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: I am terrified that some malicious program has infected my computer. My homepage has suddenly changed to Tapxchange.com, and it displays very suspicious results! What is wrong with my computer?
Answer: Please, calm down; there is nothing much to worry about. You have probably installed some freeware on your computer that contained Tapxchange.com PUP. It is not a malicious program because it does not cause harm itself. It only seeks to increase rates of its sponsors' websites' web traffic and redirects people who use Tapxchange.com to these sites every time as they click on a search result generated by this fake search engine. This program can be easily removed from your system.
Question: Tapxchange.com search results has been redirecting me to websites that are not associated with my search keywords. I want to remove this search engine from my browser. What should I do?
Answer: We assume that Tapxchange.com virus has hijacked your system without your knowledge. The only way to remove this website from your browser is to uninstall the Tapxchange.com browser hijacker. We have provided two removal methods below this article so that you can uninstall it either manually or automatically. Good luck and stay safe!
Removal instructions of the Tapxchange.com virus
To remove Tapxchange.com from the machine, you need to choose between automatic and manual elimination options. The instructions how to get rid of the virus manually you can find below. Keep in mind that this method requires patience and attentiveness. Thus, if you are in a rush, we suggest opting for the automatic method.
Automatic Tapxchange.com removal is performed using anti-malware or anti-spyware.[5] In order to delete hijacker and all its components, you need to install your preferred program, update it and scan the system. Once security tool finishes the scan, you will be able to set your preferred homepage, search engine and customize your browser.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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 Tapxchange.com, follow these steps:
Erase Tapxchange.com from Windows systems
Manual removal guidelines are presented below. Please follow them carefully in order to get rid of all hijacker-related components.
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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 Tapxchange.com and related programs
Here, look for Tapxchange.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Tapxchange.com 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.
Remove Tapxchange.com 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 Tapxchange.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Tapxchange.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
This potentially unwanted application may have affected Internet Explorer. Thus, you should follow these steps to clean the browser.
-
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.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Tapxchange.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
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.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Tapxchange.com removal.
Delete Tapxchange.com from Microsoft Edge
Follow the instructions below to delete the Tapxchange.com virus from the Edge entirely.
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.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
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.
-
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. -
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.
-
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, Tapxchange.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of Tapxchange.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
In order to get rid of all suspicious components related to the hijacker, you need to uninstall suspicious browser extensions and reset Mozilla Firefox.
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select Tapxchange.com 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.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
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Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Tapxchange.com removal.
Eliminate Tapxchange.com from Google Chrome
In order to eliminate Tapxchange.com entirely, you need to follow the guidelines below:
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
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Here, select Tapxchange.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
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.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Tapxchange.com removal.
Erase Tapxchange.com 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 Tapxchange.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
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 Tapxchange.com, 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.
-
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 Tapxchange.com removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Browser hijacker (hijackware). TechTarget. Latest technology news and global network of technology-related blogs.
- ^ Trackography. Me and my Shadow. The official website of the data tracking control project.
- ^ Chad Whitley. Risks to Watch For When Downloading & Installing Free Software. Digital Citizen. Tutorials, reviews, news and other articles about productivity, entertainment, security, smarthome, smartphone and health.
- ^ UtanVirus. UtanVirus. The website about computer viruses for Swedish users.
- ^ Anti-spyware. Computer Hope. The website about computers, tutorials and help.
November 4th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
I was really looking forward to using this website cause I thought it is a regular search engine..
November 4th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Well, havent you noticed that it wasnt your default homepage before? I noticed it right away and I thought that it is a bit suspicious. Then I looked up for information online and found lots of articles about this search engine. 2-spyware seemed to be the most reliable-looking website. I was very pleased when I saw illustrated instructions, it easied my work twice. Ty 🙂
November 5th, 2015 at 3:49 am
No, actually I did not. These search engines look very similar to each other. How can I know that it is unreliable? I am not a wizard and I do not decide whether it is harmful or not judging from a blank page with a search box. Cmon…
November 5th, 2015 at 2:43 am
I have also been attacked by this browser hijacker. It does not seem to be that dangerous though. However, this app is nothing what is worth keeping, too.