Youndoo.com: what it is and how to remove it
Youndoo virus was first detected in June 2016. Since then, it had its ups and downs while trying to become a popular headache of computer users.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Youndoo.com: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Youndoo.com |
| Type | Fake search engine |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 5 more facts
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | youndoo.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 24 February 2017 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Youndoo.com dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Youndoo virus. How bad is it?
Youndoo virus was first detected in June 2016.
Since then, it had its ups and downs while trying to become a popular headache of computer users. However, it seems that the virus is not done - security experts have just reported about the renewed activity of this browser hijacker . Could 2017 year be the year of Youndoo.com virus? We will see.
Now you should take a look at dangers that it can cause on your computer. In the beginning it may look like a reliable search engine alternative and may trick you into thinking that it is as functional and secure as any other popular browsing tools. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth.
The security experts deem Youndoo virus a for its peculiar quality of taking over browsers and setting its own web page as their primary search engines and home pages. What is more, the PUP is widely known for its redirect tendency which is not only annoying and disruptive but can sometimes have some very unpleasant impact on the PC.
We will talk more in depth why this browsing tool should not be trusted and how to remove Youndoo from the system in the following sections of this article. As for those looking for a quick removal solution, we can recommend — a program which will ensure the full and removal of this potentially unwanted program.
In comparison to other browser hijackers, say navigation.iwatchavi.com, which is overcrowded with unnecessary shopping and gaming platforms, Youndoo does not seem suspicious at all. Its style is specifically designed to create a sense of reliability. Nonetheless, this impression is instantly shattered once you start using this website as a regular search engine.
First of all, you will notice its hideous tendency to drop you off on questionable domains . It wouldn't be such an annoying issue if not for its potential damage. In other words, Youndoo.com redirect scope is not limited to advertising domains alone, but may include unreliable web pages with potentially malicious content as well.
Thus, if the malware lurking out there infects your computer, your system programs may start malfunctioning or fake system error messages may begin popping up everywhere. Therefore, it would be wise to start Youndoo removal immediately.
In addition, Youndoo.com collects specific non-personally identifiable information. In the site's Privacy Policy, it is stated that the search engine compiles computer's IP address, web browser type, the date and time of the request, the amount of data transferred, internet address, from where the site or file was retrieved or the desired function was requested, etc. This information is used for statistical purposes.
Youndoo employs Google Analytics to process this data. The problem is that the website is supported by third-parties as well. Thus, if they get hold of the previously-mentioned data, your browser may be bombarded with customized and specifically targeted ads . Consequently, the probability that you click on these pay-per-click commercial offers doubles.
The worst part is, while the owners of these ads receive a benefit, you get nothing. Another highly detested feature of Youndoo malware is that it employs additional software to help it with its shady activities. Alternatively called "helper objects," these programs are primarily responsible for fortifying the position of the hijacker on the computer.
As a result of their activity, you might encounter difficulties removing the hijacker from the first attempt. Since these files are scatter across the system, uninstalling Youndoo from the primary browser settings is not enough to completely banish this virus from the computer. In addition, they might also create loopholes for other unnecessary browser extensions and plug-ins to secretly enter and settle on the computer.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Update October 2016: Hijacker now creates a fake Chrome profile
Youndoo developers do not step back and continue to improve the hijacker by introducing another feature which help to place and keep this shady marketing platform on the infected browser's homepage. This feature involves creating a fake Google Chrome profile and running all of the Internet traffic through it .
Not to look too suspicious, the hijacker transfers some of the users' original content, such as extensions and browsing history to the new profile, but replaces the default search engine and homepage with Youndoo.com. Besides, this new alteration also prevents the users from changing the undesirable settings back to the regular ones, even if the new profile is deleted.
Instead, hijacker reappears every time the browser is rebooted. To find our whether your browser is not manipulated by this sneaky infection, you should go to the browser's setting and pay attention to the section "People." A legitimate Google Chrome profile will feature a blue users' icon with your chosen name or "Person1" if you are not logged in.
The fake profile will most likely go under a name "user0" which will appear next to the current user. Plus, you will notice that the icon is grey instead of the regular blue. You should react immediately if you notice such changes and initiate an antivirus scan.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Update February 2017: virus is caught creating additional Firefox profiles
Just a few months ago, Youndoo began terrorizing Chrome users by creating fake profiles on this web engine and gaining control over its settings.
It seems that now the hackers have turned their full attention to Mozilla Firefox. It sticks to its old ways of creating additional profiles and typically labels them as "Firefox Default" . In a way, this makes it easier to remove the virus, since you simply have to delete the undesirable profile from the list of profiles and setting "default" one instead.
Unfortunately, this is not the only addition that Youndoo creators have implemented to the newest version of this malware. The virus is now able to Schedule Tasks that will automatically run every couple of hours, downloading updates or reinstalling the virus after attempts of removal.
It might be difficult to notice such processes because the virus will try to run them silently in the background of your system. Thus, you can make yourself feel more secure by running regular scans of your system and allowing antivirus utilities to take care of the potentially malicious components automatically.
How Youndoo.com got into your browser
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
This program spreads using software bundling technique, so when you are about to install new software, opt for "Custom/Advanced" settings.
Only when you are sure that no attachments are pre-marked, finish the installation. Lastly, taking a glance at privacy policies and reading user reviews might also be useful in identifying whether this search engine is reliable or not. Please do not blindly rely on recommended installation settings ("Default/Standard/Basic"), because you might miss these offers and lose the opportunity to reject them.
Another suspicious method that helps to implement Youndoo.com hijack is called DLL hijacking. This method has been discovered in August 2016. It appears that this browser hijacker is being distributed in the form of a bogus Wtsapi32.dll file, which originally is an essential system file, which is required to load a web browser fully.
When this browser hijacker drops a fake Wtsapi32.dll file in browser's folder, Windows loads it, but not the original file that is located in C:\Windows\System32 folder. This DLL file alters Windows Registry and makes the browser open a specified web page instead of default one.
To fix this problem, the user needs to remove the wtsapi32.dll file from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other affected browser's application folders. That can also be done using malware removal programs.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
youndoo.com
How to remove Youndoo.com
How to stop Youndoo.com from opening
The search page is only the end point.
These steps remove what sends the browser there, then put the search engine back.
Step 1: Put the search engine back and delete youndoo.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
youndoo.comfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If youndoo.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 2: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Youndoo.com rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Youndoo.com that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Though it might seem rational to remove Youndoo.com fake Chrome profile from your infected browser first, this step is not necessary. The fake profile can be eliminated by resetting the browser. But don't forget that you have to delete the hijacker from your computer first. As we have mentioned, the virus runs on a fake Wtsapi32.dll file which you have to terminate in order to stop the virus resetting your homepage and default search engine. Please NOTE that you should be very careful not to delete the legitimate system file that goes by the same title! You should investigate the virus description before you do that and, ideally, scan the file with an antivirus scanner. In Add/Remove programs list, you should also look for an entries called youndoo - Uninstall, youndoo 1.0, or similar ones, and delete them.
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 Google Chrome
To reset the regular settings of your Google Chrome, enter the Chrome's settings panel and find the section labeled "People" under this section, you will see all profiles that have been created on your browser. You should select the entry called user0 and delete it. Then, unmark the section which "Allow anyone add a person to Chrome" and select your preferred profile as your default one.
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.
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 Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
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.
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.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To remove the fake Youndoo profile from your Mozilla Firefox browser you should first terminate every process that is running on your computer and then open the Run box by simultaneously pressing R and Windows keys. In the command window enter Firefox -P which will then open Firefox profile manager. In the new window select "Firefox Default" and click Delete Profile. In the pop-up window, select the option "Delete files". When you are back on the profile choosing window, select "default" or your preferred profile and mark the box saying "Use the selected profile without asking at startup". Finally, hit the Start Firefox button. The browser should open your chosen profile and settings. If these steps don't help you reset your browser, you should follow the instructions presented below.
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.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
In case your Mac OS X has been infected with Youndoo.com and you see "user0" profile has replaced your regular Chrome profile, you shouldn't rush eliminating this new profile from your browser directly. Instead, look through your recently installed programs, delete software that looks suspicious (youndoo - Uninstall, youndoo 1.0 or similar applications) and reset your browser. The instructions below will explain how this should be done step-by-step.
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
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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 can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Tactics that will help you remove Youndoo.com hijacker in no time
To remove Youndoo virus from your computer within few minutes, you should choose automatic removal option and install an anti-spyware program.
Keep in mind that a proper security program is not only necessary but also vital to the general protection of your computer. However, if you don't want to install additional software on your computer, you can also perform manual Youndoo.com removal procedure on your computer. Make sure you go through each removal step carefully to prevent the reappearance of this browser hijacker.
youndoo - Uninstall, youndoo 1.0, or similar ones, and delete them.
youndoo - Uninstall, youndoo 1.0 or similar applications) and reset your browser.
user0 and delete it. Then, unmark the section which "Allow anyone add a person to Chrome" and select your preferred profile as your default one.
Questions about Youndoo.com
Why does my search engine keep changing to youndoo.com?
Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.
Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time youndoo.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.
Is youndoo.com a virus?
It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. youndoo.com is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.
It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.
Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.
What is youndoo.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker Youndoo.com. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is youndoo.com dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove Youndoo.com, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, Youndoo.com affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did youndoo.com record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of youndoo.com can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove Youndoo.com
- clear cookies and site data for youndoo.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Is only one browser affected?
Often not. Programs that install hijackers tend to change every browser they find, and sync can carry the extension to other computers signed in to the same browser account. Check Chrome, Edge and Firefox, even the ones you rarely use, and look at the shortcut targets on the desktop and taskbar for each.
If you use sync, remove the extension while signed in so the removal syncs too. Also check the On startup setting and the new tab page, because hijackers change those as well as the search engine.
Can I just block youndoo.com?
You can, but it treats the symptom. Blocking the domain in a firewall or the hosts file makes searches fail instead of redirecting, while the extension or program that set it keeps running and collecting data.
Hijacker operators also switch to new domains in updates, so a block may stop working within weeks. Remove the source instead, then set your own search engine. If you want extra protection afterwards, turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security, which stops many hijacker installers before they run.
Why can't I change my search engine back?
Because something keeps setting it. If an extension controls the search engine, Chrome and Edge show a note that an extension is controlling this setting, and your change is reverted. If a policy controls it, the field is greyed out and the browser shows Managed by your organization.
Remove the extension first, then the policies, and only then change the search engine; the change will stay. If it still reverts, look for a program in Installed apps or a scheduled task that reinstalls the extension.
Will Fortect remove Youndoo.com?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Youndoo.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: URL redirection (read October 7, 2026)
- Malwarebytes labs: Youndoo creates new Chrome profile (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)