Remove Launchpad.org (Chrome, Frefox, IE)

Can’t Remove Launchpad.org browser hijacker? This page includes detailed Launchpad.org Removal instructions!

As you can tell, Launchpad.org is an unreliable program. A browser hijacker, to be more precise. This devious infection pretends to be one legitimate search engine. Unfortunately, it is no such thing. Hackers don’t tend to tell the truth about the malicious parasites they develop. The Launchpad.org virus has nothing to do with the program you were originally promised. This pest is actually a nasty cyber infection that could cause you irreversible harm. Hijackers are particularly dreaded types of malware. Not only are these parasites annoying but they also expose you to infections. That means keeping Launchpad.org on your machine jeopardizes your safety. It also jeopardizes your privacy but you will learn more on the subject down below. First things first, how does the hijacker work? Its shenanigans begin as soon as the installation is complete. Parasites don’t waste time. The Launchpad.org virus adds an extension to your browsers. Do you think this nuisance asked for your permission beforehand? We’re talking about a tricky computer infection. A parasite developed by hackers. Launchpad.org won’t seek any authorization before it starts making changes. And the browser plugin is just the beginning. The hijacker also modifies your default homepage and search engine. Both get replaced with Launchpad.org so you can’t escape this domain. You see, that’s exactly what crooks aim for. They are trying to force the parasite on you on a daily basis. Thus, you now have to use the hijacker when you surf the Web. As you could imagine, hackers do all of this in order to receive some benefits. What does that mean? That the Launchpad.org generates one very specific category of web links – sponsored web links. Eventually, hackers gain profit through the pay-per-click mechanism. The whole scheme works completely behind your back and your browsing experience ends up hijacked. It’s rather clear where hijackers got their name, right? The Launchpad.org is a classic representative of the sneaky hijacker family. It takes over all your browsers and injects them with specific links. Sponsored, potentially harmful, absolutely worthless web links. Clicking any of them must be avoided because Launchpad.org exposes you to threats. The parasite was never really supposed to provide you accurate search results. It was only supposed to boost the web traffic to some pages. In addition, you get constantly redirected and you come across unreliable pop-up ads. Your browsers may start freezing or crashing thanks to the hijackers’ tricks too. Last but not least, this program spies on your private information. It goes without saying that Launchpad.org has to go. The sooner, the better.

How did I get infected with?

Freeware and shareware bundles are the most popular method at the moment. It’s safe to assume that is how Launchpad.org slithered itself on board as well. Instead of overlooking the threat this parasite exposes you to, be careful next time you surf the Web. Restrain yourself from installing unverified programs, especially when they come bundled. Opting for the Custom or Advanced option in the Setup Wizard is always a good move. Take your time during the installation process. Don’t be gullible to rush the process as this leaves your PC vulnerable. The Web is filled with some much more problematic and destructive kinds of viruses. To protect yourself from Trojans and ransomware, watch out for infections. Skipping installation steps may seem like a good idea at the time but it is not. Hackers only need one single moment of distraction from you. Make sure you prevent malware infiltration and be cautious. Spam messages and spam email-attachments must be avoided as well. Bear in mind how stealthy cyber infections are. It is your responsibility to keep your machine virus-free so be careful online.

Why is this dangerous?

Launchpad.org works with all three of the most commonly used browsers. It infects Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. The hijacker messes with their default settings behind your back. This is a very stubborn and irritating parasite. It effectively disturbs your online activities and provides quick access to malware. As if that wasn’t enough, Launchpad.org spies on all your browsing-related data. Consider your private life online no longer private. Hackers now have access to browsing history, usernames, passwords, IP addresses, etc. If they sell your details to some third parties, things will get out of control. To prevent it, you have to tackle the hijacker on the spot. Please follow our detailed manual removal guide down below.

How to Remove Launchpad.org virus

The Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Launchpad.org in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Launchpad.org startup location

STEP 3: Delete Launchpad.org traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

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

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 Launchpad.org, 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 Launchpad.org 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 Launchpad.org 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.