Remove Default-Search.net Homepage Hijacker

Can’t Remove Default-Search.net hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Default-Search.net Removal instructions!

Default-Search.net shouldn’t be your default search engine. It shouldn’t be anybody’s because this program is malicious. Classified as a browser hijacker, Default-Search.net has nothing but trouble in store for you. Have you ever had to deal with such a parasite? Hijackers are very persistent as well as very dangerous. Furthermore, these infections are tricky. They rely on lies and deceit and, ultimately, cause you damage. How do you prevent harm? You get rid of the hijacker as soon as you encounter its unwanted presence. There is absolutely no reason for you to be tolerating the virus. On the other hand, there are plenty of reasons to uninstall the intruder right away. This pest takes over your favorite browsers. In other words, it hijacks your entire browsing experience. Default-Search.net fully justifies the hijacker title and modifies all your once trusty browsers. For starters, this infection adds an extension to them. If you start coming across random pop-ups and unwanted web links, don’t be surprised. That is because the hijacker has injected your browsers with sponsored pop-up ads. And this is just the beginning of a long list of malicious traits. The virus also goes after your default search engine as well as browser homepage. Both get replaced with Default-Search.net ‘s domain. Keep in mind this is a highly questionable domain. You’re stuck with a nasty creation of cyber criminals which is extremely sneaky. This program forces its search engine on you because hackers use the pay-per-click mechanism. What does that mean? That crooks are interested in bombarding you with sponsored, specific web links. Default-Search.net promises to improve your online experience. Instead, it redirects you to unknown websites and slows your PC to a crawl. The virus causes your modified browsers to crash and freeze on occasions. Your Internet connection might become unstable all of a sudden too. Remember, the search results Default-Search.net displays are light years away from being harmless. If you see a certain pop-up or web link, it is only because hackers want you to be seeing it. Restrain yourself from clicking any of the parasite’s search results as those are misleading. There is no doubt some of them lead straight to dubious pages filled with malware. To top it all, the hijacker collects your private information so crooks could sell it later on.

How did I get infected with?

Not many PC users download browser hijackers on purpose. The most commonly used method for infections to get distributed online is via bundles. Next time you install bundled programs, watch out for unwanted intruders. If you’re unlucky enough, there might be an entire bunch of viruses hidden in the bundle. Unless you make a thorough check of the programs, you could easily infect your PC. Opting for the Custom option in the Setup Wizard is always a good idea. Take your time in advance so you don’t have to remove malware afterwards. Prevention is much less time-consuming than fighting a cyber virus. Save yourself the headache and the trouble. Pay attention before it’s too late. We would also recommend that you check out the Terms and Condition or EULA. Rushing guarantees you no information whatsoever about the programs you end up installing. If you spot some bonus program that you don’t want installed, you have to deselect it. Don’t skip installation steps and do not underestimate any potential threat. In addition, avoid illegitimate websites as those are usually harmful. Stay away from spam email-attachments as well as suspicious-looking messages in social media. It is your job to keep your computer system virus-free.

Why is this dangerous?

Default-Search.net works just fine with all your browsers. It alters Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. This nuisance makes sure you have to deal with its sponsored web links all the time. As mentioned already, the search results generated are potentially corrupted. It is in your best interest to stay away from anything brought to you by the hijacker. This virus might also display deceptive commercials and pop-up ads. Those should be avoided too because Default-Search.net was never meant to provide you the best deals online. If anything, it was only supposed to be beneficial for crooks. The parasite even allows hackers to get access to your private details. That mainly includes browsing history, search queries, usernames and passwords. However,  Default-Search.net could monitor some much more sensitive data. To delete this pest manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Default-Search.net virus

The Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.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.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the Default-Search.net infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Default-Search.net related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Default-Search.net startup location

STEP 3: Delete Default-Search.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.net

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 Default-Search.net, 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 Default-Search.net 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 Default-Search.net 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.