Search8.com.au Redirects Removal

Can’t Remove Search8.com.au hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Search8.com.au Removal instructions!

Search8.com.au promises to be a useful and reliable search engine. Its developers claim that it’s legitimate. They state, it provides better search results, and improves the overall experience. They claim, Search8.com.au changes your situation for the better. Well, it doesn’t. The site is neither helpful nor trustworthy. It’s a menace. Yes, it does change your situation, but it’s for the worse. The website is a clear indication of an invasion. A browser hijacker snuck into your system, undetected. And, the page’s display is its way of revealing its existence. Heed its announcement! To discard it is a mistake. One, with consequences, you won’t enjoy. A hijacker’s presence on your PC leads to quite the predicament. It throws you into a whirlwind of grievances and headaches. The more time it remains, the worse it becomes. Issues evolve. They grow from a minor inconvenience to a colossal threat. The questions, will you stand for that escalation? Will you allow it? Or, would you rather, avoid it? Alongside all the risks that follow a hijacker? Do yourself a favor, and don’t. Locate and delete the nasty hijacker that lurks, behind the Search8.com.au page. The sooner, the better. Remember! Delays have repercussions.

Remove Search8.com.au

How did I get infected with?

Hijackers are sneaky. So, is the one, using Search8.com.au as a face. It slithered its way into your system via trickery and deceit. The tool managed to dupe you into giving it the green light. Yes, it got you to approve its installment. The infection sought your permission on its admission. And, you gave it. Odds are, you don’t remember it. But it did happen. There was an exchange. Here’s the thing. The inquiry is unavoidable. The hijacker has to ask if, you, the user, agree to allow it into your PC. Only if you do, can it continue with the process. So, it makes sure to receive your YES. How? Well, it asks you the right way. The infection lurks behind freeware, fake updates, corrupted links. It can even pretend to be a fake system or program update. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. It’s up to you to spot the deception. And, deny it access. Always do your due diligence! Infections prey on your carelessness, so don’t grant it. Don’t rush, or give into naivety. Take the time to be thorough. And, remember, even a little extra attention can save you countless troubles. Choose caution over carelessness.

Why is this dangerous?

The hijacker wastes no time. After it gains entry to your system, it spreads its nastiness, and corruption ensues. At first, you notice its influences with your browsing. The tool meddles with your entire experience. Every time, you even touch your browser, you get showered with interference. The infection bombards you with advertisements of every type. You see in-text, banner, and pop-up ads. They appear each time you go online. And, it’s not only them. They’re not the only intrusion, you encounter. The hijacker also redirects you to Search8.com.au, non-stop. You get stuck with the page, at every turn. When you open a new tab, type a search. Regardless of your activities, the hijacker finds a way to throw the page your way. It even appears in place of your preferred homepage and search engine. These continuous intrusions end up slowing down your PC. Lagging becomes a part of your daily routine. Your system suffers frequent crashes. The hijacker is horrible company. Don’t extend its stay beyond the point of discovery. As soon as it clues you into its existence, get rid of it. Find its exact lurking place, and delete it! Its immediate removal ensures your system’s well-being. Not to mention, keeps your privacy private. Yes, the infection takes aim at your security. It tries to steal your personal and financial details. And, make no mistake. Given enough time, it will. Don’t give it that time. Find and delete it ASAP.

How to Remove Search8.com.au virus

The Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search8.com.au startup location

STEP 3: Delete Search8.com.au traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Search8.com.au 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.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
  • Remove the Search8.com.au by clicking on the little recycle bin
  • Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

disable Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au from ie

  • Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Search8.com.au

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 Search8.com.au, 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 Search8.com.au 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 Search8.com.au 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.

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