How to Remove Rack-search.com (Chrome, Firefox, IE)

Can’t Remove Rack-search.com hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Rack-search.com Removal instructions!

Rack-search.com is a devious infection. This program uses lies and deceit to trick you into keeping it on board. However, ignoring the threat would only make matters worse. Rack-search.com has been classified as a browser hijacker. As the name implies, it hijacks the victim’s browsers and takes control over your entire online experience. Once this pest lands on your machine, wave your everyday browsing activities goodbye. Rack-search.com gets activated immediately and will quickly make it clear just how bad things are. The hijacker modifies your default browsers without any permission or consent. In fact, its installation happens in silence as well. Hackers aren’t going to waste their time seeking your authorization. Instead, they mess with your favorite browsers behind your back. You will notice that both your search engine and default homepage are altered. In fact, they get replaced with the hijacker’s domain. This way, you’re stuck with Rack-search.com on a daily basis. There is no more surfing the Web at peace, let alone finding what you search for. The virus injects all your browsers with sponsored, tailored web links. However, it initially promised to provide accurate search results. This isn’t the first time when hackers lie about the malicious programs they create. Rack-search.com’s very last concern is to enhance your online experience. The parasite makes numerous unauthorized changes in your browser settings. It adds an extension to them and might install additional toolbars too. Long story short, none of your browsers is reliable anymore. Now that you have a parasite on board, your browsing experience is completely up to hackers. And crooks won’t think twice before they expose your PC to more cyber threats. It is your decision whether you’ll let the hijacker cause you irreversible damage or not. Make the right call and avoid all web links generated by this program. Clicking the “harmless” search results it displays could lead you straight to dangerous websites. Keep in mind that the hijacker will keep on harassing you till you remove it. As long as Rack-search.com is present, you’re one click away from downloading more infections. This nuisance causes your browsers to redirect you and to crash/freeze. It even spies on some of your private information. For instance, browsing history, usernames and passwords. Does the thought that your details get sent to cyber criminals make you feel safe? It should make you very, very nervous.

How did I get infected with?

The number one virus distribution method is called freeware/shareware bundling. It is pretty straightforward and quite simple. Perhaps that is why it always works like a charm and allows all kinds of parasites to get spread online. Apart from hijackers, some much more aggressive types of infections use the same tactic. That includes vicious ransomware and sneaky Trojan horses. Next time you download such program bundles, you may get stuck with a notoriously harmful virus. To prevent it, always opt for the custom or advanced option in the Setup Wizard. Also, check out the Terms and Conditions of what you’re about to install. The same piece of advice goes for the EULA (End User License Agreement) too. In short, you have to watch out for potential bonuses that are attached to the bundle. Hackers could add a whole bunch of viruses to a single seemingly safe software bundle. Unless you pay attention, you won’t be able to spot the intruder. Make sure you are aware which programs exactly you give green light to. Remember that taking your time right now could save you time and energy later on. Your caution will pay off so don’t rush the installation process. Another popular infiltration technique involves spam messages or email-attachments. Those may turn out to be filled with harmful programs.

Why is this dangerous?

Rack-search.com is a stubborn program that hijacks all your browsers. It malicious extension brings along sponsored, potentially corrupted web links. The parasite might also start generating some product deals and offers as well. Now, the advertisements generated by a hijacker are just as unsafe as all other web links Rack-search.com may display. You have no reason to trust the discounts, coupons or price comparisons that are now all over your PC screen. These commercials are also sponsored and highly questionable. Restrain yourself from clicking any of them open and don’t be gullible. Rack-search.com destroys your online experience and jeopardizes your privacy. The virus must be uninstalled as soon as possible. To do so manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Rack-search.com virus

The Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Rack-search.com related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Rack-search.com startup location

STEP 3: Delete Rack-search.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com

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 Rack-search.com, 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 Rack-search.com 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 Rack-search.com 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.