Remove Search.webshields.org from Chrome/Firefox/IE

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

The display of Search.webshields.org is a bad sign. It means your system harbors a cyber threat. There’s a browser hijacker, lurking somewhere in the shadows. Needless to say, that’s not a good thing. Hijacker infections are a menace. They’re a plague on your system, and a threat to your privacy. Yes, it doesn’t only wreak utter havoc on your system. The tool also jeopardizes your privacy. It’s designed to spy on you from the moment it invades. And, it’s quite diligent when it comes to following that programming. As soon as the application settles, on your PC, it begins. It keeps close track of your activities, with special attention on your browsing. Every online move you make gets cataloged. Then, once it gathers enough information, proceeds to the next step. You won’t like the next step. The hijacker sends all the data, it stole from you, to the people behind it. That’s right. Your personal and financial details get exposed to cyber criminals. The question is, are you okay with that? Are you going to allow these strangers into your private life? Do you think that reaps rewards? Don’t fool yourself. Act before your predicament escalates to that point. Don’t stand by as your situation goes from bad to worse. Protect yourself, and your system’s well-being. Once you realize there’s a hijacker on your PC, act against it! That means, as soon as the Search.webshields.org site appears. It’s your clue, your warning. Heed it. To discard it is a mistake, you’ll regret.

How did I get infected with?

How do you think you got stuck seeing Search.webshields.org non-stop? Well, the answer is simple. There’s a browser hijacker on your system. And, it’s forcing the site on you all the time. But how did the hijacker get there? Well, here’s where things get more complex. These infections don’t pop up out of the blue. They need approval to enter. Before they install themselves, they have to ask you, the user, for consent. Unless you give it, no admission. It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? Well, not quite. While there is a rule that the hijacker has to ask your approval, there are no rules about how. If it were to outright pop up, and do it, you’d deny it. And, it can’t have you rejecting it. So, instead, it turns to trickery. The tool does indeed seek entry, but does it in the sneakiest way possible. Freeware, fake updates, spam email attachments. The list of potential methods of infiltration is extensive. Bu do you know what? Their success rate rests on you. If you are vigilant and thorough, you increase the odds of having an infection-free PC. The lack thereof leads to the opposite. Remember! Apply caution over carelessness.

Why is this dangerous?

Search.webshields.org turns into your online shadow. Once the hijacker settles, you see it all the time. Open a new tab, it pops up. Surf the web, guess what you find among the suggested links. Your homepage and search engine don’t reflect your default settings anymore. Search.webshields.org appears in their stead. The hijacker forces the site on you at every turn. But there’s more. You don’t only get redirected to Search.webshields.org. You get flooded with a myriad of other third-party pages. All unreliable, all untrustworthy. And, it doesn’t stop there. Your browsing also gets corrupted with a plethora of ads. In-text, banner, pop-up, every type there is. With this in mind, it’s no surprise your online activities turn hellish. Since the intrusions are constant, they have consequences. Your system suffers frequent crashes. And, your computer’s performance slows down to a crawl. And, remember the security threat, mentioned above? Don’t you think you should get rid of the hijacker ASAP? It’s a hazardous infection that doesn’t deserve a place on your PC. Delete it the first chance you get. It’s the best thing you can do. And, it earns you the gratitude of your future self.

How to Remove Search.webshields.org virus

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

STEP 1: Track down Search.webshields.org related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search.webshields.org startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

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

• Open Google Chrome

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