Video Explorer (Removal Instructions) - Free Guide

Video Explorer Removal Guide

What is Video Explorer?

Video Explorer – a falsely advertised tool that's actually a browser hijacker

Video Explorer browser hijackerPlease don't download or use this browser hijacker as it may pose threats

Video Explorer is a browser intruder that will modify your browser settings without your consent. It changes the default search engine parameter, which subsequently alters the homepage and new tab preferences. That's done to redirect all search traffic through a website of its choice.

By doing so, it can inject deceptive ads into your search results, cause sudden redirects to affiliated websites, and collect various non-personal data. In most cases, appointed search engines are fake as they don't generate any results. They redirect to legitimate search engines like Yahoo, Bing, or others.

Therefore, please think twice before installing Video Explorer browser hijacker. We highly recommend not to do that as you might be putting yourself and your device in danger. By reading this article, you'll find out the risks of having such a PUP on your device, how it's spread, how to remove it, and getting your device system back on track.

name Video Explorer
Type Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
Altered browser settings The default search engine, new tab, homepage
Purpose Generate income by redirecting internet traffic to affiliated domains
Symptoms Browser preferences are changed without your direct consent; new tabs with shady portals open out of the blue; decreased browsing speed; diminished device performance
Risks Installation of other PUPs, malware infections, identity theft
Distribution Fake Flash Player updates, official web stores, software bundles, deceptive ads
Elimination Remove all unwelcomed guests by running a full system scan with a dependable security tool
System health check To ensure that your device doesn't exhibit any strange behavior, such as BSoDs, severe lag, etc., use the time-tested FortectIntego system repair software after virus removal

All browser hijackers, including the article's culprit, WordSearch virus, SearchConverterIt virus, and others, function similarly. They change browser preferences, appoint a new search engine, cause sudden redirects, and display deceptive ads in the search results.

Ads can be displayed as banners, recommended searches, and possibly in other forms. Clicking on these ads is highly not recommended as you might end up on dangerous affiliated sites, which may include:

  • tech support scams,
  • other PUPs,
  • porn,
  • malware,
  • gambling, etc.

Some of the portals might be harmless, but some might be villainous and try to extract private information (credit card details, phone numbers, emails, etc.), try to lure you into gambling, or infect your device in use with malware instantly through drive-by downloads.

Furthermore, you might be redirected to any of the hazardous pages without clicking on any ads if a sudden redirect is triggered, and that can happen at any moment. Therefore, having in mind that Video Explorer browser hijacker can record your browsing habits and lead to perilous websites, we recommend not to use it.

Video Explorer virusThis PUP will show you ads, cause redirects, and show deceptive ads

If you've already installed it or it was installed on your device unknowingly, we recommend all users remove it. The easiest way to do that is by scanning your device in question with a reliable anti-malware tool. Free security software such as Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner should automatically detect, isolate, and terminate the browser hijacker.

Since all cyber infections alter system files and settings, you should perform a system tune-up. According to cybersecurity specialists,[1] best results are achieved when running system diagnostics with the time-proven FortectIntego system repair software that fixes all system-related irregularities and removes tracking cookies in the process.

Avoid software bundles to keep your device virus-free

The developers of potentially unwanted programs[2] use many different methods to spread their creations. File-sharing platforms, deceptive ads, false advertisement campaigns, and fake Flash Player updates are among the most common techniques used for that.

But one method stands out as the most popular – software bundles.[3] They can are usually downloaded from third-party software vendors, but legitimate developers can also use this technique. The trick behind it is simple, all apps offered within the bundle are preselected for installation. Thus if you pick Recommended, Quick or Standart options, all of them end up on your device.

Video Explorer PUPThis browser hijacker and similar PUPs can be spread using different sneaky techniques

You can avoid PUPs from software bundles by not rushing through the installation of any new software. Choose the Advanced or Customs option and deselect all untrustworthy, suspicious, or unwanted apps from installation. Get only the app you initially wanted.

Detailed instructions to remove Video Explorer virus and get your device back to normal

Browser hijackers, such as Video Explorer, are often advertised as useful tools. While they may offer some improvements to your browsers, they might overload the internet connection, slow down your device, and get you in trouble through sudden redirects and deceptive ads.

If you decide to remove this browser hijacker, please use a trustworthy security tool for that. Only then can you rest assured that it's properly eliminated and that no additional PUPs or malware are present. Remember to update virus signatures at least twice a week to keep your device safe.

Afterward, to get your device back on track, you should use a powerful system diagnostics tool to revert any changes Video Explorer browser hijacker may have caused to your device's system files and settings. If these alterations are left unattended, your device might exhibit abnormal behavior.

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.

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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 Video Explorer. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

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

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 Video Explorer 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

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