Utopia.net “Malware” Removal

Can’t Remove Utopia.net hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Utopia.net Removal instructions!

Utopia.net has been categorized as a browser hijacker. Have you crossed paths with hijackers so far? If not, you’re in for trouble because these programs are rather tricky. They usually get presented as perfectly safe search engines. However, once you download the infection, you quickly realize there’s nothing safe about it. Utopia.net works the same way. It promises to enhance your online experience and to provide accurate results. The only thing this pest actually provides is quick access to malware. Don’t let hackers trick you into thinking Utopia.net is harmless. You’re dealing with a secretive, obnoxious and deceptive infection. Before you know it, the hijacker could get out of hand and cause you irreversible harm. This pest modifies both your default search engine and homepage. They get replaced with Utopia.net’s domain. Note its domain is immensely unreliable even if it appears to be trusty. The only category of web links it generates is sponsored ones. You see, there is a reason why hackers develop browser hijacker. These viruses take over the victim’s default browsers and bring along sponsored web links. By modifying your browsers, hijackers helps crooks to gain profit. Are you familiar with the pay-per-click mechanism? It’s a particularly simple and effective way for cyber crooks to make money. All they have to do is boost web traffic to some specific pages. That is why Utopia.net constantly displays sponsored web links. Keep in mind that you’re one click away from more infections. Hackers could cover your PC screen with all types of web links including corrupted ones. And, a single click on the wrong link automatically allows more viruses to get downloaded. To prevent further damage, stay away from anything generated by the hijacker. Know that Utopia.net might also display some sponsored pop-ups and commercials. In this case, you should get prepared to witness an endless pile of ads every single time you browse the Web. Discounts, coupons, product deals, various offers, “best prices”. There might be some real ads in the parade of web links. However, you could be absolutely positive there are some fake, corrupted ones. Be careful what you click open as these commercials could cause you damage. In addition, clicking them turns you into a sponsor of hackers’ dubious business. Every cent they gain will be invested in developing more infections. Do not help criminals gain any revenue and tackle their pesky hijacker ASAP. You have nothing to lose be removing Utopia.net.

How did I get infected with?

The most popular method for all types of malware to get spread online involves bundles programs. Hackers rely on the fact you’d overlook the threat bundled software poses and you’d skip some steps. If you do rush, you remain oblivious to what you give green light to. That’s why you should always take your time. Stay away from suspicious-looking programs especially if they’re bundled. It is up to you whether some sneaky infection will manage to land on board. If you pay attention, you’ll be able to protect your machine and save yourself the hassle. Removing malware is a lot more problematic than preventing virus infiltration. Keep an eye out for potential infections. To begin with, stay away from unverified software bundles and illegitimate websites. Opt for the Custom or Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. That will guarantee you no “bonus” viruses will somehow end up on board. Check out all programs you’re about to download one by one. If you spot a parasite, deselect it. Also, bear in mind that skipping the Terms and Conditions exposes your machine to infections. Instead of rushing the process, take your time. It will pay off in the long run.

Why is this dangerous?

Utopia.net takes control over your default browsers. It also adds a plugin or extension to them thus making the mess complete. You’re now unable to surf the Web because you get constantly greeted by random web links and pop-ups. As if that wasn’t enough, you get redirected to some highly unreliable websites. The hijacker even jeopardizes your privacy. It sneakily spies on your browsing history, usernames, passwords. Some personally identifiable data might get monitored too. As you could imagine, you have to act quickly in order to prevent identity theft. Please follow our detailed manual removal guide down below.

How to Remove Utopia.net virus

The Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Utopia.net startup location

STEP 3: Delete Utopia.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net

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 Utopia.net, 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 Utopia.net 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 Utopia.net 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.