Remove Ad-Aware Secure Search Hijacker

Can’t Remove Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Ad-Aware Secure Search Removal instructions!

The Ad-Aware Secure Search app is supposed to be an additional layer of online protection. It is advertised as a secure search tool which blocks suspicious websites. Ironically, this utility opens your browser to online threats. Security researchers categorize the app as a Browser Hijacker. Once this app gets installed, it alters your browser settings and locks the changes. The hijacker throws its victims in a whirlwind of reshuffles. No matter how diligently you try, you cannot restore your preferences. The hijacker controls your browser and prevents you from making modifications. The Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker replaces both your homepage and default search engine. It is also reported to install toolbars and third-party browser extensions. The parasite spreads its roots around your browser and initiates an aggressive ad bombarding. It injects various ads on every website you visit. You would notice that even web pages that used to be ad-free are now heavy on coupons and discounts. Pop-ups appear every time you as much as touch your browser. Even your online videos get paused for commercial breaks. And, these are just the obvious ones. The Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker displays more ads than you might think. It injects sponsored links among the search results you are provided with. The parasite, of course, does not mark the promoted entries as adverts. With this parasite on board, you can never be sure which results are organic and which are pushed on you! Do you think that ends well? Numerous dodgy websites pay to get their links to the top. The Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker has no place on your PC. Remove it before it gets a chance to lure you into an online trap!

How did I get infected with?

The Ad-Aware Secure Search app is available for download on multiple online platforms. But it does not rely on these websites. The hijacker has other plans. It uses trickery to sneak into your device undetected. The parasite lurks behind software bundles, fake updates, torrents, and corrupted links. It hides in the shadows and waits for you to make a mistake. This pest preys on your naivety. It infects your device only when you let your guard down. The hijacker needs you, the user, to approve its installation. No permission, no admission. If you, however, rush, if you don’t pay attention to the red flags, you are very likely to install it. Do not make its job easier. No anti-virus app can protect you if you act that recklessly. Only your caution is powerful enough to keep your device secure and infection-free. Don’t visit shady websites; download software from reputable sources only, and forget about the “Next-Next-Finish” installation strategy. When available, use the advanced/custom setup option. And don’t skip the terms and condition. If you cannot spare enough time to go through the whole document, scan it with an online EULA analyzer. Stop the installation if you notice anything suspicious!

Why is this dangerous?

The Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker is a complete and utter menace. This parasite interferes with your every online activity. Whether you type a search query or watch a video, it’s always there to annoy you. The parasite follows you around the Web and throws ads at you. Every time you click on one, the hijacker gets paid. The more ads you see, the bigger the chance you click. If you, however, refuse to click, the hijacker becomes even worse. It increases the number of is adverts and starts a browser redirection. This invader loads third-party websites in new tabs and windows. Do you feel comfortable knowing that any web page out there may pop up on your screen? The Ad-Aware Secure Search hijacker has no filters. It displays inappropriate content, as well as redirects traffic to deceptive websites. This parasite is very likely to redirect you to phishing, scam, phony, and even infected websites. Do not risk it. Get back in control of your web browsing; remove the nasty hijacker ASAP! The sooner this invader is gone, the better!

How to Remove Ad-Aware Secure Search virus

The Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Ad-Aware Secure Search startup location

STEP 3: Delete Ad-Aware Secure Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search

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 Ad-Aware Secure Search, 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search 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 Ad-Aware Secure Search 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.