Remove Search.searchytdau.com Hijacker from Chrome/Firefox/IE

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

You recently opened your browser and were met with changes you never authorized? Chances are, you have been attacked by a browser hijacker. This malicious software has the ability to change the homepage and search engine to Search.searchytdau.com. Hijackers can also obtain user’s browsing habits in order to provide the type of advertisement content that the victim is most likely to click on. The goal is to generate a PPC (pay-per-click) revenue, as well as stealing the personal information of the user, which can be sold to third-parties later on. Browser hijackers are known to cause unwanted redirects and annoying advertisements like exclusive deals, coupons, pop-ups and flashy messages that constantly interrupt the user’s browsing experience.

How did I get infected with?

Bundled software is proven to be one of the most common ways of getting your computer infected with malicious software such as the Search.searchytdau.com browser hijacker. Often users opt for a Quick install when dealing with downloaded software. This may save them time, but can also put their personal data at risk. More often than not, such bundles hide dangerous malware that is not properly disclosed by the developers and the user is usually unaware of its existence until the worst happens and their data gets stolen by cyber criminals. Users are recommended to follow through a Custom/Advanced installation process, so they can have full control over what is being installed on their computer. You can also get your computer infected with a browser hijacker via spam messages, email attachments and by clicking on suspicious ad content.

Why is this dangerous?

Intrusive advertisements are hard to ignore. Even if the victims try to close the pop-ups, it is very easy for them to be misled and click on something else entirely. Such actions can redirect them to suspicious third-party websites that can infect their computer with other viruses. While the Search.searchytdau.com website is not the virus itself, it is still considered a dangerous tool in the hands of hackers because of the advertised content it shows. It takes one click for the cyber criminals to get hold of the victim’s passwords, bank account information, IP addresses, credit card numbers, etc. Because hijackers can steal your browsing habits too, they will make sure to generate the kind of ad content that the victim would certainly be tempted to click on. If your browser has been hijacked and you constantly get redirected to Search.searchytdau.com website, follow the instructions below to remove this malicious software and save your personal data.

How to Remove Search.searchytdau.com virus

The Search.searchytdau.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.searchytdau.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.

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

STEP 2: Locate Search.searchytdau.com startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

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

• Open Google Chrome

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