Search60 “Virus” Removal

Can’t Remove Search60 hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Search60 Removal instructions!

Search60 is nothing but a tricky browser hijacker. This program takes over all your browsers and bombards you with sponsored web links. Unreliable search results, sponsored pop-up ads, even questionable software updates. Instead of letting the virus cause you some serious damage, take measures now. Search60 is a dangerous infection so you shouldn’t hesitate. As soon as the hijacker gets installed, it starts messing with your browser settings. For instance, it modifies your search engine and homepage. Both are now replaced with the infection’s malicious domain. In other words, you are stuck with Search60 every single time you browse the Web. Wave your everyday online experience goodbye because the hijacker is in charge now. The virus forces its domain on you because the web links it generates help hackers gain profit. As you could imagine, clicking any of the search results or ads Search60 displays turns you into a sponsor of crooks. It might also jeopardize your safety further because these links are unsafe. Keep in mind that anything generated by a cyber parasite is dangerous by default. Hackers have no reason whatsoever to take care of your browsing activities. On the other hand, they are trying really hard to make money at your expense. Stay away from the web links Search60 may bring to your PC screen. Chances are, clicking those will only make matters worse. The hijacker also adds a certain browser extension or a plugin. Hence, you may come across some advertisements and sponsored product deals/offers. Even though such commercials often appear harmless, they cannot be trusted. If you’re gullible enough to click the ads open, you could compromise your device further. Another possibility is to purchase some non-commercial product and waste your money. Which option sounds better to you? If the answer to that question is “none”, avoid these advertisements. Search60 might cover your entire PC screen with discounts, coupons, price comparisons and other ads. Not a single one of them gets generated to save you time or money online. Hackers are just trying to gain revenue through the pay-per-click mechanism.

How did I get infected with?

The hijacker must have applied some of the popular stealthy distribution methods. As you know, infections don’t tend to seek the victim’s permission. Search60 doesn’t bother to seek authorization either. This program was probably part of some unverified freeware/shareware bundle. Do you often download such programs? Then you should definitely check out the bundle beforehand. Make sure there are no additional “bonuses” hidden in the bundle you’re going to install. For example, opt for the Custom or Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. This will guarantee you that you’re in control of the installation process. In addition, check out the Terms and Conditions or EULA (End User License Agreement). Take your time so you’re able to spot a potential intruder. Bear in mind that you’re the one who will have to uninstall all infections that get downloaded. Unless you watch out for parasites, you may compromise your very own security.

Why is this dangerous?

Search60 causes your browsers to redirect you. Therefore, you may land on some extremely unreliable, malicious websites. Don’t let hackers worsen your already pretty bad situation. Restrain yourself from clicking the search results Search60 displays as those are unsafe. As mentioned, the hijacker makes modifications in your default browser settings. It might inject them with a pile of worthless, corrupted commercials too. Long story short, Search60 demolishes your browsing experience. It also jeopardizes your privacy. Yes, this program is capable of stealing some personal information such as browsing history, usernames, passwords. It sends all your details straight into the hands of cyber criminals. Do you see the threat already? Your sensitive data may easily be sold to third parties with unclear intentions. One thing is for sure, though – the hijacker could cause you some harm. This pest also slows down your PC speed significantly and may affect your Internet connection too. To delete it manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How to Remove Search60 virus

The Search60 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 Search60 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 Search60 related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search60 startup location

STEP 3: Delete Search60 traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Search60 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 Search60 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 Search60 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 Search60 traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Search60 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 Search60

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 Search60, 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 Search60 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 Search60 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.