Remove Search.queryrouter.com Virus (Complete Removal)

Search.queryrouter.com is a tricky browser hijacker. The virus promises to enhance your online experience but in reality, demolishes it. You know, that’s how infections work. They fool you with some non-existent functionalities and then cause you damage. Keep in mind hijackers get out of hand very quickly. In order to protect your machine, you must uninstall the intruder as soon as possible. No cyber parasite belongs on your PC and you know it. Hence, keep on reading. The Search.queryrouter.com Virus goes after your browsers. It installs an extension or a plugin to all of them without any permission of yours. We’ve never come across malware that requires authorization before it makes changes. Search.queryrouter.com isn’t the great exception to that rule. The hijacker also messes with your default search engine and homepage. Both of them get replaced with Search.queryrouter.com. However, this domain is immensely unreliable. For starters, it was developed by cyber criminals. It is dangerous by default. Secondly, it only generates sponsored, modified, tailored links. Those may or may not be harmless. The only way to find out which is which is by clicking the web link open. Unfortunately, you might download more infections on your machine this way. Our advice is to stay away from the dubious web links generated by the Search.queryrouter.com infection. This program will NOT bring to you accurate search results but malware. Hackers use the pay-per-click mechanism to gain profit online. The problem is, a sponsored link may be leading you directly to parasites. Thanks to the hijacker, you’re now permanently one click away from malware. Search.queryrouter.com might also display third-party pop-ups and unreliable software updates. In addition, it slows down the PC speed. The virus might also cause your browsers to freeze and crash. Your Internet connection becomes unstable too. No, that’s not all. Hijackers exhibit a rich bouquet of malicious traits. They even monitor your browsing-related information. That includes passwords, usernames, IP addresses, browsing history. If you’re especially unlucky, it could spy on some personally identifiable data. Nobody wants hackers to have access to such personal, sensitive details. To prevent serious privacy issues, tackle this pesky intruder on the spot.

remove Search.queryrouter.com

How did I get infected with?

Have you recently downloaded questionable programs off of the Internet? Many PC users do. That’s how many PC users end up compromising their own machines. If you wish to prevent malware infiltration, install legitimate software only. Avoid unverified websites and always be careful what exactly you give green light to. Crooks often attach infections to seemingly safe program packages. As a result, you may download a parasite among the safe programs. Be very cautious when it comes to freeware and shareware bundles. Opt for the Advanced or Custom option in the Setup Wizard. You may notice some suspicious piece of malware in the bundle. In this case, deselect the potential intruder. Otherwise, you will have to uninstall it later on. Prevention is indeed the easier option. Also, check out the Terms and Conditions. Same thing goes for the EULA (End User License Agreement). Take your time in the process and don’t skip installation steps. Remember that your caution will pay off in the long run.

Why is this dangerous?

Search.queryrouter.com works in silence. It neither needs nor wants your permission. This tool was created to serve hackers’ malicious purposes, not to be beneficial for you. Its very presence on board is a red flag for danger. Keeping the virus on board would worsen one already pretty bad situation. The sooner you take measures, the better. Search.queryrouter.com is compatible with some of the most popular browsers out there. Yes, that includes Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. You no longer have a trustworthy browser. All of them now redirect you to random, unknown pages. The hijacker also serves as a back door to malware. It might display irritating pop-ups, product deals, offers, etc. Stay away from anything brought to you by this nuisance. Chances are, it’s unreliable and harmful. As mentioned, this program also jeopardizes your privacy. Crooks would sell your sensitive data to third parties with unclear intentions. You may experience financial scams or even identity theft. To delete this pest manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Search.queryrouter.com virus

The Search.queryrouter.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 Search.queryrouter.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 Search.queryrouter.com infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Search.queryrouter.com in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search.queryrouter.com startup location

STEP 3: Delete Search.queryrouter.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Search.queryrouter.com in the computer memory

  • Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
  • Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Search.queryrouter.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 Search.queryrouter.com virus from the windows registry

  • Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

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]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • 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:

hosts-redirect-virus

STEP 3 : Clean Search.queryrouter.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
  • Remove the Search.queryrouter.com by clicking on the little recycle bin
  • Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

disable Search.queryrouter.com from chrome

  • Open Mozilla Firefox

  • Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
  • Disable the unwanted Extension
  • Go to Help
  • Then Troubleshoot information
  • Click on Reset Firefox

remove Search.queryrouter.com from 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

remove Search.queryrouter.com from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Search.queryrouter.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 Search.queryrouter.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.

safebrowsing-biz-shortcut-removal

  • in the target field remove Search.queryrouter.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 Search.queryrouter.com 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.

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