Remove Launchpage.org “Virus”

Can’t Remove Launchpage.org hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Launchpage.org Removal instructions!

The Launchpage.org website is obnoxious. It’s meddling. It’s quite the bother. It’s all these things, and many more. But, above all, it’s a clue. Yes, the page is a sign that your system is no longer infection-free. In fact, there’s a browser hijacker, lurking somewhere in the corners of your system. That hijacker is the reason why you see Launchpage.org. It’s because of the infection that yo get redirected to it at every turn. The hijacker forces it on you every opportunity it gets. And, it does so, because it’s part of its programming. The people behind the infection have designed it with a single purpose. To make money. The hijacker has to generate web traffic to certain third-party links. And, it has to create pay-per-click revenue. If it fails to meet its goal, it gets taken down. To avoid the fate of oblivion, the tool takes every chance it gets to disrupt your browsing. Open your browser and you’ll see. You’ll get greeted with Launchpage.org, as well as a shower of pop-up ads. Open a new tab, same thing. Type in a search, your suggested links are corrupted. They show Launchpage.org and other unreliable sites. Your browsing turns into a continuous display of ads of every variety – pop-up, in-text, banner, et cetera. And, the page Launchpage.org, and all its friends that are just as harmful and untrustworthy. It’s an utter nightmare. But it doesn’t end there. It gets worse. Due to the incessant disruptions, your system starts to suffer frequent crashes. Your computer slows down to a crawl. And, do you know what? All that pales in comparison to the security risk, you face. Hijackers are hazardous and harmful. The one, you’re stuck with right now, is no different. Do yourself a favor, and get rid of it ASAP.

How did I get infected with?

The hijacker, behind Launchpage.org, invades your PC with slyness. It turns to trickery and finesse, and dupes you into installing it yourself. Yes, you install the tool. How? Well, first off, hijackers have to ask the user for permission on their admission. They cannot enter a user’s system without first asking for, and receiving, consent. So, if you’re stuck with a hijacker now, it’s because you allowed it. The tool sought your consent on its installment. And, you gave it. As for the ‘how,’ simple. You got fooled. Don’t think the program seeks access in a straightforward manner. It goes the exact opposite direction, and uses every known trick to dupe you. It hides behind freeware. Hitches a ride with spam email attachments. Lurks behind corrupted links or sites. Poses as a fake update. It’s up to you to catch it in the act, and prevent it from infiltrating your PC. You can do that by applying extra caution when installing updates or tools. Always take the time to read the terms and conditions. Never blindly agree and click that YES at the bottom. You have no idea what you’re even saying yes to! Don’t throw caution to the wind, and rely on luck. That’s a mistake. Don’t rush or give into naivety. Be thorough. Choose vigilance over carelessness. One prevents infections from sneaking in. The other open the door to them.

Why is this dangerous?

Launchpage.org is a front. A face, if you will. The infection, uses it as a shield to lurk behind, and wreak havoc from the shadows. To bury your head in the sand, and ignore the problem, is a mistake. The display of Launchpage.org is a warning! It indicates there’s a hijacker, somewhere in your system. The sooner you acknowledge that, the better. If you don’t, you will regret it. First, the Launchpage.org site takes over. You get redirected to it constantly. And, it replaces your default search engine and homepage. The ads follow close by. Your screen gets flooded every time you so much as touch your browser. Then the frequent crashes and slower PC kick in. And, all the while, the hijacker is spying on you, stealing information. Yes, that’s part of its programming, as well. The tool is to spy on your online activities from the moment it invades. It tracks your every move, and records it. When it deems it has enough data, it sends it. To whom? Well, to the people that published it. Yes, malicious cyber criminals get a hold of your personal and financial details. In case, you’re not okay with that, act against the hijackers the first chance you get! Don’t let it steal and expose your privacy to third-party individuals with agendas. Protect yourself. Not to mention, your system’s well-being, as well. A hijacker is bad news. Launchpage.org warns you there’s a hijacker on your computer. Heed its warning, and act.

How to Remove Launchpage.org virus

The Launchpage.org infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Launchpage.org infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the Launchpage.org infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Launchpage.org related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Launchpage.org startup location

STEP 3: Delete Launchpage.org traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Launchpage.org related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Launchpage.org startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Launchpage.org virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean Launchpage.org traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Launchpage.org by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Launchpage.org

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Launchpage.org, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove Launchpage.org argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Launchpage.org Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.