Remove Hanstrackr.com Redirects (HIJACK.HANSTRACKR.COM)

Can’t Remove Hanstrackr.com hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Hanstrackr.com Removal instructions!

Hanstrackr.com, also known as Hijack.hanstrackr.com, is a malicious website. It brings annoyance and headaches your way. The frustrating page pops up, non-stop. It continuously makes an appearance on your screen. And, you can’t seem to get away from it. No matter what you do, it shows up. And, you have an infection to ‘thank’ for that. There’s a browser hijacker, lurking somewhere on your computer. It’s that hijacker that’s forcing the site on you all day, every day. Consider the page the infection’s way of revealing itself. It’s its grand announcement. And, you best acknowledge it as the warning it is. If you allow the hijacker to remain on your system undisturbed, you’ll regret it. The more time it remains, the worse your predicament gets. Issues evolve and escalate. You face a severe security threat. Not to mention, the myriad of minor inconveniences that plagues you on a daily basis. Don’t put up with any of it! Avoid the avalanche of unpleasantness. Accept the display of Hanstrackr.com as the sign of action it is. Acknowledge the existence of the hijacker, and the dangers it poses. Do your best to locate it ASAP. And, delete it on discovery. Time is of the essence. So, don’t delay.

How did I get infected with?

Hanstrackr.com pops up, because of the hijacker behind it. It’s the nasty application that forces it on you at every turn. That explains the page’s appearance, but what about the hijacker itself? How did it come to be on your computer? These types of tools don’t pop up out of thin air. It may seem that way, but it’s not the case. In actuality, they seek permission on their admission. Oh, yes. The infection asks if you agree to install it. Only if you do, can it continue with the process. No approval, no access. So, how do you suppose it gets it? And, all while keeping you clueless. Well, simple. It tricks you. The program does ask for your consent. But it does it in the sneakiest way possible. It turns to slyness and subtlety. The most common means of infiltration, it uses, include the following. It lurks behind corrupted sites or links. It poses as a fake system or program update. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. And, oftentimes, it uses freeware and spam emails to conceal its presence. The infection is rather masterful in the art of deception. But regardless of the level of its trickery, it can’t sneak in undetected without you. Without your carelessness, to be more precise. Its success rests on your gullibility and distraction. It needs you to rush, and not do any due diligence. Don’t oblige. Always take the time to be thorough. Even a little extra attention can save you a plethora of problems. Next time, you install tools, updates, or anything else, keep that in mind. Choose caution over carelessness.

Why is this dangerous?

After the hijacker gains access to your PC, be wary. It begins its mess-making at once. The tool doesn’t waste time, and starts to wreak havoc. It spreads its clutches throughout, and corruption ensues. The tool affects every aspect of your system. It forces unwanted, unapproved reshuffles that take you by surprise. It messes with system settings, and eats up space and CPU resources. It slows down your computer’s performance to a crawl. It leads to frequent system crashes. Not to mention, the plethora of online interruptions, you encounter. The hijacker, behind Hanstrackr.com, is a terrible companion. It meddles, non-stop. Every single time you go online, it makes sure to interfere. It redirects you to countless suspicious-looking sites. The Hanstrackr.com page makes the most consistent appearance. The tool throws it at you every time you browse. Open a new tab, and it’s there. Type a search, and it’s among the results. It’s also in place of your default search engine and homepage. It becomes your online shadow. The infection doesn’t only redirect you, though. It also bombards you with advertisements. You get flooded with pop-up, in-text, and banner ads, all the time. Going online turns into a nightmare. The hijacker makes a complete mess of your system. A mess that only worsens with time. So, don’t extend the hijacker’s stay beyond the point of detection. Get rid of it the first chance you get. If you don’t, you risk more than only your system’s well-being. You also risk getting your private data stolen, and exposed to cyber criminals. Don’t allow that. Find and delete the hijacker at once.

How to Remove Hanstrackr.com virus

The Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com 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.

STEP 1: Track down Hanstrackr.com related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Hanstrackr.com startup location

STEP 3: Delete Hanstrackr.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com

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 Hanstrackr.com, 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 Hanstrackr.com 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 Hanstrackr.com 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.