How to Remove Gosearches.gg Redirect

Can’t Remove Gosearches.gg? This page includes detailed Gosearches.gg Removal instructions!

A fake search engine based on Google Search is called Gosearches.gg. A deceptive website advertises the program that promotes Gosearches.gg, and its installer is deceptive as well. When a person downloads this fake installer and completes the installation, their browser is hijacked. Additionally, browser hijackers are installed using freeware. Users may unwittingly install these hazardous apps if they forget to uncheck the box that includes browser hijackers during the installation process. Installers that include browser hijackers or other unwanted programs usually have “Advanced,” “Custom,” or similar settings with pre-selected checkboxes for additional installations. The fake search engine looks like the screenshot below:

remove gosearches.gg redirect

 

How did I get infected with?

Gosearches.gg is present on your computer because adware is hiding it deep in your browser settings. Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer, often in the form of pop-up windows or banners. It might enter your computer in a number of ways, including if you consent to an installation request, click on harmful sites, download free software, or apply fake updates. Adware relies on users’ carelessness or distraction to successfully infect their computers. It’s crucial to employ caution and diligence when using your computer to guard against viruses like adware. Do your homework, carefully consider any offers or requests to install software, and exercise caution if you click on links or download files from unknown sources.

Why is this dangerous?

Browser hijackers like Gosearches.gg can be risky because they can alter your browser settings without your permission, leading to undesirable behavior like diverting your searches to undesirable websites, displaying invasive advertising, or secretly gathering your personal information. Additionally, they can make it difficult for you to roll back these changes and remove the hijacker from your computer. Browser hijackers may also be bundled with other harmful software, which could further damage your system and clutter it up. Exercise caution and pay attention to any signals or warnings that may indicate the presence of a browser hijacker or other harmful malware when downloading and installing software.

How to Remove Gosearches.gg virus

The Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Gosearches.gg startup location

STEP 3: Delete Gosearches.gg traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Gosearches.gg in the computer memory

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

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg virus from the windows registry

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

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

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]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • 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:

hosts-redirect-virus

STEP 3 : Clean Gosearches.gg traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

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

disable Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Gosearches.gg

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 Gosearches.gg, 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.

safebrowsing-biz-shortcut-removal

  • in the target field remove Gosearches.gg 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 Gosearches.gg Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system 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.