YesSearches — a fake search engine that is launched by ShortcutBoost.exe process
YesSearches is a bogus search engine that has features of a browser hijacker.[1] This potentially unwanted program (PUP) can infiltrate the system unnoticed thru bundling. Once there, it drops Clqvrfsrv.exe, ShortcutBoost.exe and Uninst.exe to launch with every startup. Additionally, it replaces the default search engine and the homepage to www.yessearches.com domain to start rerouting its victim to sponsored sites. To prevent users from reverting these changes back, the virus also alters the computer's Registry. From first sight, YesSearches might look like a legitimate search engine which includes a Privacy policy, EULA,[2] and optional languages. However, as you must have already understood, it hides shady functionality behind these allegedly useful functions. You should not spend your time dealing with this hijacker. Make sure you terminate it right after it appears on your web browsers.
| Name | YesSearches |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Main file | Clqvrfsrv.exe; ShortcutBoost.exe; Uninst.exe |
| Detected as | PUA.Yessearches |
| Affects web browsers | Chrome, Firefox |
| Symptoms | Delivers intrusive advertisements, causes redirects, displays altered search results |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive promotions or websites |
| Main danger | Collects various user information |
| Elimination | Use FortectIntego for general system cleaning |
The main aim of YesSearches virus is infiltrating third-party ads directly into the search results it displays on victim's screen. As a result, you might find difficulties in finding needed information quickly. Reasonable and safe search tools always limit the amount of commercial content displayed to their users and separate them from the organic search results. However, this browser hijacker acts in the opposite way. As a result, security vendors have started detecting it as PUA.Yessearches and similar.
Additionally, YesSearches seeks redirect victim's searches to third party sites that are typically working on increasing their search rank or visitors' number. While some part of these domains is considered to be safe, the other part should be avoided or at least left when entered. Beware that visiting such domains can end up with useless tools on your computer, e.g. fake optimization tools, rogue anti-spyware apps, etc. Additionally, such sites can locate tech support scams seeking to swindle users' personal data.
Furthermore, this potentially unwanted program is also capable of collecting various information about users. Fortunately, YesSearches does not collect personally identifiable information.[3] However, browser hijacker immediately after infiltration starts tracking and recording:
- search keywords;
- visited websites;
- clicked ads;
- IP address;
- location.
Aggregated information is usually used for advertising purposes, meaning that based on your activities online, the hijacker display targeted or personalized ads.[4] However, information about you might be shared or sold to third-parties. Thus, if you do not want to see more ads on the browser, you should remove YesSearches virus.
Browser hijackers are not hard to uninstall manually (check the instructions below). However, we recommend opting for automatic YesSearches removal. It allows deleting hijacker-related entries from the system using reputable anti-malware software like FortectIntego.
This automatic removal is beneficial for the system, according to various users, this program gets installed on the system with programs like VPlay. You need to uninstall this or any similar program and change browser settings to default if you want to get rid of YesSearches search engine. Uninstalling the program is not enough browser changes may still affect your browsing online. Cleaning the system thoroughly with anti-malware os system tools can terminate all additional processes and applications completely.
Free software installers might include browser hijacker
The virus usually infiltrates the target system when users download freeware or shareware incorrectly. A security team from bedynet.ru[5] reminds that PUPs cannot get into the system by themselves. They need users permission to enter the system, and users give it without even knowing it.
If you have recently downloaded some “safe” freeware from the Internet, then it means you have probably received a bundle with it. Shareware bundling is a method used to spread various potentially unwanted programs, such as questionable add-ons or plug-ins. Developers of the freeware do not warn you what lies behind „standard“ or „default“ installation options.
Most of the computer users rush through installation steps, hastily choose default settings for the installation and click finish. You should always pay attention to freeware installation:
- Read the Terms and Agreements, as well as Privacy Policy.
- Use “Custom” or “Advanced” installation settings instead of “Quick” or “Recommended.”
- Untick all the boxes suggesting to install extra programs,
- Do not give the authorization to change your homepage.
Remove YesSearches from Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox web browsers
One of the ways to remove YesSearches from your web browser is to download a reliable anti-spyware, update it to its latest version and run a full system scan. This should help you get rid of its reappearance on the system. Keep in mind that hijacker travels around together with numerous components, including specific BHOs and Windows services. Also, you should think about an alternative search engine that does not track its users and then share such data with third parties.
However, if you do not want to opt for automatic YesSearches removal, you can follow the manual removal guide below. Make sure you terminate the following processes at first: Clqvrfsrv.exe, ShortcutBoost.exe, Uninst.exe. Then, uninstall all apps that you don't know or seem suspicious and reset your web browsers:
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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
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 suspicious extensions 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.
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