How to Remove Configs Search Redirect

Can’t Remove Configs Search hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Configs Search Removal instructions!

One of the newest cyber threats out there is called Configs Search. This is a typical browser hijacker and it messes with your everyday online activities. On theory, the infection is supposed to be a harmless tool. It promises to provide quick and safe search results thus improving your browsing experience. As you could imagine, the very last thing Configs Search actually does is help you surf the Web. This deceptive cyber pest is only on your machine to cause trouble. The virus gets activated immediately after installation. For starters, Configs Search adds a questionable browser extension or a plugin. It also modifies both your search engine and default browser homepage. Your entire browsing experience gets destroyed in the blink of an eye. Now that Configs Search has made some unauthorized changes, you’re stuck with the hijacker. There is no more browsing the Internet without being greeted by this nuisance. Configs Search makes sure you’re constantly bombarded with its sponsored, immensely unreliable web links. Yes, the accurate search results you were promised are sponsored. That means some of them are, without a doubt, corrupted and very dangerous. How can you tell which link generated by the hijacker is harmless and which one isn’t? Well, you can’t. The only way to find out is by clicking it open which, obviously, is a great risk. Unless you stay away from the links this program generates, you’re in danger. Configs Search causes your browsers to redirect you. You may end up on some incredibly unsafe websites filled with parasites. As if that wasn’t enough, the hijacker may begin to generate some commercials as well. By adding a certain extension to your browsers, this program might flood your PC screen with ads. Sponsored, immensely unreliable ads. Keep in mind you have an infection on your machine. Anything it may bring to your PC screen is potentially harmful. The hijacker also causes your browsers to freeze and crash. It leads to a poor PC performance as well. Last but not least, your browsing-related data gets monitored as we speak.

How did I get infected with?

The most plausible scenario is called freeware bundling. Instead of using your help, this technique relies on your distraction. In the future, take your time during the installation process. Opting for the Custom or Advanced option allows you to be in control of the process. Thus, you’ll be able to spot and deselect any potential intruder before it’s too late. You can see for yourself how problematic hijackers are. The thing is, that’s not even the most destructive type of virus out there. The Web is full of Trojan horses and ransomware programs which cause serious damage. Keep an eye out for infections and don’t rush the installation. It is in your best interest to check out the Terms and Conditions or EULA (End User License Agreement) too. Be careful what you give green light to. Freeware and shareware bundles are particularly popular virus infiltration methods. Another commonly used trick involves bogus emails as well as fake email-attachments. Stay away from unverified programs, torrents and program updates.

Why is this dangerous?

Thanks to the virus, you’re no longer in control of your very own browsers. Configs Search makes changes behind your back and completely ignores your preferences. This program is now generating web traffic to some specific pages. It injects your browsers with sponsored web links and may display some highly questionable commercials. To prevent further damage, restrain yourself from clicking anything Configs Search brings to you. Remember, this is a vicious infection we’re talking about. It is extremely unreliable and causes a mess on your computer. As mentioned, Configs Search works with all three of the most popular browsers out there. It modifies Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. The parasite may generate some discounts, coupons, product deals and offers, etc. It is utterly useless and even poses a threat to your privacy. The hijacker steals your browsing history, email addresses, usernames, passwords. It sends all your information straight into the hands of cyber criminals. Needless to say, crooks should never have access to such sensitive data. To delete the hijacker manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Configs Search virus

The Configs 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 Configs 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 Configs Search related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Configs Search startup location

STEP 3: Delete Configs Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Configs 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 Configs 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 Configs 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 Configs Search traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

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