Yoga Search virus (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Yoga Search virus Removal Guide
What is Yoga Search virus?
Yoga Search hijacks web browsers and attempts to stay on the computer system using sneaky methods
Yoga Seach virus is a dubious program that adds browser extension[1] to Google Chrome and likely other web browsers. Once installed, it replaces current homepage and new tab page with EZ Search page which will provide you with modified Yahoo search results. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) belongs to browser hijacker category and can be described as Yahoo redirect virus as well.
Yoga Seach redirect virus alters browser’s settings to make it launch the described search page each time you open your web browser. Therefore, removing YogaSearch or EZ Search components from your browser’s won’t be enough in order to get rid of unwanted redirects to the described search page.
This virtual annoyance seeks to force the computer user receive sponsored search results and force him to click on them. As a result, the user can get redirected to external websites, and some of them can be potentially dangerous.
Be aware that you might be lured into websites promoting other spyware variants or, in the worst case – malware[2]. We suggest you never install anything from sites you get redirected to and keep your personal information to yourself.
Besides, Yoga Search hijacker might attempt to silently collect data describing your browsing habits, for instance:
- Your IP address;
- Clicks and impressions;
- Search queries;
- Browsing history and similar.
Do not be surprised if you start receiving ads offering interesting products or services daily. However, remember that they might be serving as bait to lure you into external websites of unknown reputation.
To keep your computer secure and avoid visiting suspicious sites, decide how do you want to remove Yoga Search. A quick way to do it is to install and run an anti-malware software like FortectIntego. However, if you are curious to test your spyware removal skills, uninstall the said hijackers using Yoga Search removal guide which we added to this article.
Yoga Search is a highly suspicious computer program that alters browser shortcuts in order to keep redirecting the user to EZ Search page.
Distribution of the unwanted browser extension
You can install the questionable extension along free software that includes a suggestion to install it within its own installer. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to be extremely careful when setting a new program up on your computer system.
If you didn’t know this yet, the majority of free programs would monetize their services by pushing potentially unwanted programs via their installers.
To avoid becoming a user whose browser was hijacked by a potentially unwanted program, LesVirus.fr experts[3] recommend choosing Custom or Advanced settings for the installation. This helps to see what additional programs were bundled with your download.
Besides, you get a chance to deselect the additions that you do not want. Do it without any hesitations and proceed with the installation without worries.
Remove Yoga Search extension and associated software from your PC
You must remove Yoga Search virus to prevent it from controlling your browser settings any longer. To delete the said hijacker, you will not only need to uninstall suspicious programs but clean up affected web browser shortcuts as well. Check the guide provided below the article for a successful elimination of the potentially unwanted program.
To complete Yoga Search removal, we advise scanning the computer with anti-malware software. A reliable security software will help you to identify components of unwanted programs and get rid of them easily.
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 Yoga Search virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Yoga Search virus tends to alter browser shortcuts, so you need to clean them. The guide below shows how to reverse suspicious modifications the hijacker implements.
You will likely find C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Extensions\ikmapcaeknfgfmjlibnhcbchfablckbpa argument in browser's shortcut Properties > Shortcut > Target field. Replace the value with one of the following:
Internet Explorer:
“C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe”
Google Chrome:
“C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”
If you are using Chrome on 64-bit Windows, copy and paste the following: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”
Mozilla Firefox: “C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe”
Firefox on 64-bit Windows: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe”
IMPORTANT. Copy the line WITH quotation marks.
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
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
Delete Yoga Search extension, Searchy and all extensions related to EZSearch using the provided guidelines.
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 Yoga Search 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 stealing programs
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. Browser Extensions Are a Privacy Nightmare: Stop Using So Many of Them. How-To Geek. For Geeks, By Geeks.
- ^ Josep Albors. Malicious scripts in compromised websites and how to protect yourself. WeLiveSecurity. IT Security Site Covering the Latest News, Research, Cyber Threats and Malware Discoveries.
- ^ LesVirus. LesVirus. Malware Removal Tutorials.