Remove Search.searchtnl.com Redirect Virus

Can’t Remove Search.searchtnl.com hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Search.searchtnl.com Removal instructions!

As you figured out already, Search.searchtnl.com is malicious. This irritating program is a browser hijacker. And, unless handled on time, it could cause you serious damage. Hijackers are relatively easy to tackle. Compared to some other kinds of infections such as ransomware and Trojans, these programs are much less harmful. However, no type of virus is to be underestimated. All infections get out of hand at some point so instead of tolerating the hijacker, you have to remove it. This pest was developed by Eightpoint Technologies Ltd. On theory, it will improve your online experience by displaying accurate search results. Yes, hackers present their parasite as a perfectly safe search engine. What Search.searchtnl.com actually does has nothing to do with crooks’ promises, though. As soon as the virus lands on board, it starts altering your browser settings. You will firstly notice modifications in your default search engine as well as browser homepage. Both get replaced with the parasite’s very own domain. You see, you’re now stuck with this program every single time you surf the Web. Wave your everyday online activities goodbye now that the hijacker is present. This infection hijacks all your browsers and injects them with sponsored web links. As mentioned, those are supposed to be accurate and harmless. None of that is true. Cyber criminals aren’t really among the most honorable people out there so don’t expect them to tell you the truth. The one thing hackers are interested in is gaining questionable profit online. Thanks to Search.searchtnl.com, crooks successfully make money. Unfortunately, their revenue would come at your expense because your browsers get modified. They might also start crashing or freezing on a daily basis. In addition, the hijacker could inject them with commercials. That means it would constantly generate a huge variety of sponsored, potentially corrupted pop-ups. In this scenario, surfing the Web in general becomes an impossible task. At the least, you have to waste time dealing with obnoxious ads and avoiding pop-ups. Note that a sponsored advertisement is rarely a real one. More often than not, infections display fake, very dangerous pop-up ads. Some try to trick you into buying non-existent products. Others directly lead you to malware. Either way, the commercials should be avoided.

How did I get infected with?

Hijackers apply the classic infiltration techniques. The most popular method right now is called freeware bundling. Chances are, Search.searchtnl.com also used it. One thing is for sure – you did not agree to download a nasty cyber infection. That’s given. In the future, you should pay more attention to the software you install. Stay away from unverified freeware or shareware bundles even if they seem attractive. Take your time during the installation process as well. Remember that hackers may have added a whole bouquet of infections in a certain bundle. Unless you check out all programs in there one by one, you remain oblivious to what you download. Protecting your safety must be your number one priority so save yourself the hassle. Opt for the Advanced option in the Setup Wizard to make a thorough check of the programs. You might spot a sneaky bonus virus that is waiting to slither itself onto your PC. Deselect the intruder ASAP and make sure you never rush the installation. Skipping important steps exposes your computer to numerous malicious viruses and, ultimately, causes you trouble.

Why is this dangerous?

This pest of a program isn’t going to enhance your online experience. In fact, that was Search.searchtnl.com’s very last intention. Hackers use the pay-per-click mechanism to gain profit. That is why your PC screen is now bombarded with annoying, useless, sponsored web links. You’re one click away from more parasites as long as this one is on board. Search.searchtnl.com adds a browser extension or a plugin. As a result, it might also display various pop-up ads in various shapes. The hijacker redirects you to random websites which may have nothing to do with your search queries. To prevent a much greater hassle, tackle this nuisance right away. Search.searchtnl.com even poses a threat to your privacy. It collects your browsing-related data but might get to some personally identifiable information too. For instance, bank account details. Before you know it, you might get involved in a financial scam or identity theft. Do not let hackers harass you. To delete the virus manually, please follow our detailed manual removal guide down below.

How to Remove Search.searchtnl.com virus

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

STEP 1: Track down Search.searchtnl.com related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search.searchtnl.com startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Search.searchtnl.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 Search.searchtnl.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.searchtnl.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 Search.searchtnl.com traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Search.searchtnl.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 Search.searchtnl.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.searchtnl.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 Search.searchtnl.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.searchtnl.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.