Remove ShellSearch.net from Chrome/Firefox/IE

Suddenly ShellSearch.net took over your homepage and you cannot remove it.

ShellSearch.net has been identified as a browser hijacker, which means that you will start seeing this web address when you launch your browser and every time you open a new tab. ShellSearch.net will replace your default homepage, which is bound to irritate you because it means that you will not be able to use your preferred search engine and all your bookmarks will be gone. Your initial reaction will probably be to change your default web browser hoping that this will make ShellSearch.net disappear. Unfortunately, that will not happen because the hijacker will get installed on all the popular ones – Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. This should not make you give up on trying to deal with ShellSearch.net because the infection can and should be removed from the PC. Under no circumstance should you use the ShellSearch.net search engine and browse the web while the hijacker is still existing because you will put your virtual security at risk.

remove shellsearch.net

How did I get infected with?

ShellSearch.net will not appear on your browser from nowhere, such infections need to be downloaded to the computer or users need to be very careless with the websites they browse to let a browser hijacker take over their browser. What usually happens is that ShellSearch.net gets bundled with dubious freeware found on corrupted web pages. When you download and install such freeware, you automatically agree to have a number of infections installed on your PC as well. This is why we strongly recommend that you only acquire any software from official distributors and do a background check on the application you have chosen to install. Another thing you should avoid is random ads that might appear as pop-ups when you are on the web. Clicking those might result in letting different infections enter your computer without any difficulties. Last but not least, spam email attachments and hacked websites may also be the reason for seeing ShellSearch.net on your browser now, so make sure you stay away from them.

Why is this dangerous?

As soon as you notice that ShellSearch.net has become your homepage, you should take measures for its immediate removal. Try not to use your browser while it is still hijacked because it will not be safe. One of the things ShellSearch.net is capable of doing is to connect to the Internet without your permission and to download suspicious programs and updates. Also, it will keep track of your browsing and will record information about it. What is worse, however, is the sponsored search results you will be presented with when you place search queries and the third-party ads that will appear on your screen when you access different websites. Both are equally dangerous because they will redirect you to web pages that might belong to cyber criminals. You might get directly infected with malware upon visiting such web pages or you might be persuaded to install unreliable software. In any of the cases, your system will be damaged, which is why you should not trust the search results by ShellSearch.net or click any random ads. Do your best to delete the ShellSearch.net browser hijacker before any irreversible harm is caused to your PC.

How to Remove ShellSearch.net virus

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the ShellSearch.net 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.

The ShellSearch.net adware is specifically designed to make money. It generates web traffic, collects sales leads for other dubious sites, and will display advertisements and sponsored links within your web browser.

STEP 1: Uninstall ShellSearch.net from Add\Remove Programs

STEP 2: Clean ShellSearch.net from Chrome Firefox or Internet Explorer

STEP 3: Permanently Remove ShellSearch.net leftovers from the System

STEP 1 : Uninstall ShellSearch.net from your computer

Simultaneously press the Windows Logo Button and then “R” to open the Run Command Window

run command

 

Type “regedit

regedit

 

navigate to HKCU\software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Modify the string with a value data and set it to google.com for example.

STEP 2 : Remove ShellSearch.net homepage from Chrome, Firefox and IE

  • Open Google Chrome

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

disable ShellSearch.net from chrome

  • Open Mozilla Firefox

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

remove ShellSearch.net from 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

remove ShellSearch.net from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

How to Permanently Remove ShellSearch.net Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

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.

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