How to Remove Elex Adware Completely

Can’t Remove Elex Hijacker? This page includes detailed Elex Removal instructions!

The Elex virus is quite an irritating infection. Classified as an adware virus, this pest brings upon you a never-ending pile of pop-ups. Sponsored pop-ups, to be precise. That is why adware-type parasites get developed in the first place – to generate web traffic. The program you’re currently stuck with follows the classic adware pattern. Actually, most adware programs work the same way. Hence, the good news here is that if you’ve seen one adware-type virus, you’ve seen them all. The bad news is that despite being predictable, this program could cause you damage. Even the most harmless-looking parasites could get out of control if they spend enough time on board. We would strongly recommend that you don’t test out the limitation of your luck. The Elex virus must be immediately uninstalled. Until you take action, know this program tries to trick you into clicking its ads. Adware modifies the browser settings of the target computer. By doing so, the Elex virus injects your browsers with commercials. Keep in mind these advertisements are sponsored which means they aren’t to be trusted. Are you familiar with the pay-per-click mechanism? Thanks to this dubious technique, hackers manage to gain profit out of displaying sponsored ads. Unfortunately, a sponsored ad doesn’t equal a reliable one. While crooks are focused on making money, your safety remains out of the picture. Why click any of the Elex commercials? Now that you know what this program is aiming at, why risk it? You could be more than positive some of these advertisements are corrupted and harmful. The thing is, there is no telling which ad is real and which ad is not. Clicking the wrong commercial might automatically turn your bad situation into a terrible one. To make matters worse, the Elex virus even adjusts its commercials by stealing your browsing history. Yes, the virus uses your own private information against you. Hackers want you to click the pop-up ads which is the very last thing you should do. Trusting a deceptive commercial might turn out to be a huge mistake so avoid these advertisements. It is in your best interest to stay away from any web links generated by a virus. In addition, the Elex virus may steal more than just your browsing history. Such infections usually spy on IP addresses, email addresses, usernames, passwords. If you’re especially unfortunate, some personally identifiable information might get stolen too.

How did I get infected with?

The most popular virus infiltration technique involves program bundles. It is applied by all sorts of infections. We’re talking adware, browser hijackers, Trojan horses, ransomware. One single moment of haste could easily result in irreversible damage. That is why you should always watch out for potential intruders. For one thing, avoid unverified bundles and illegitimate websites. Also, don’t skip important installation steps. You might be also skipping precious opportunities to prevent virus infiltration. Next time you download bundled freeware or shareware, take your time. Pay attention in advance unless you want to be tackling a virus afterwards. It is a lot less time-consuming and less nerve-racking to protect your PC than to remove malware. Opting for the Custom option in the Setup Wizard, for example, will guarantee you that no “bonus” virus could land on board. If you don’t make a thorough check of the programs you give green light to, you might be installing a virus as well. Hackers prefer to use your distraction to compromise your machine. Therefore, you cannot afford to rush the installation process. Always go through the Terms and Conditions or EULA (End User License Agreement) too. Remember, you have to be very careful online.

Why is this dangerous?

The parasite redirects you to unknown pages. It covers your PC screen with pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, interstitials, etc. A huge parade of sponsored commercials makes it impossible for you to browse the Web, let alone find what you search for. This program adds a browser plugin which works with all your favorite browsers. Furthermore, you might note some additional toolbars too. All changes happen completely behind your back and without your permission. The Elex virus causes your browsers to freeze/crash on occasions. Even your Internet connection might become unstable out of the blue. Last but not least, this nuisance jeopardizes your privacy by stealing sensitive data. To delete the virus manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Elex virus

The Elex 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 Elex 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 Elex infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Elex in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Elex startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

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

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Elex 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 Elex

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 Elex, 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 Elex 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 Elex 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.