Dear experts. My computer has issues. Here is the detail. I think someone dropped Searchguide.level3.com on my computer because it just appears on my Google Chrome suddenly. I didn’t download it before. It took place of my homepage. I think it can control my browser now as it can force me to visit websites that I don’t want to visit. It displays ads arbitrarily. I am not able to get my original homepage back. Please help me!
Searchguide.level3.com is an unwanted browser hijacker which can change your browser default settings without your permission. It changes your homepage into Searchguide.level3.com and redirects you to its affiliated websites. Hence, it has been classified as a browser hijacker. It can hijack Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explore etc. This program is pushed by the third-party sharing sites for marketing purpose. Though you may think that it is a normal and safe website as your security program does not tell you that it is a computer threat, it is a bad program for your computer because it can make you pick up viruses!
Searchguide.level3.com browser hijacker is installed along with free ad-supported programs. Therefore, you need to remove the check in box or select a customized install method to opt out of installing Searchguide.level3.com components during those installation processes. Its developers also bundles it with attachment from spam, free video and music. You had better ignore spam and download resources from official websites. This will protect your computer from browser hijacker and other viruses.
After your computer system is infected with Searchguide.level3.com browser hijacker, your homepage is changed into Searchguide.level3.com without your consent. Many ad-ons and toolbars are added on your browser. As it needs to load all of its components to perform its task, you have to wait for a long time to get your browser ready to use. When you open a new browser window, it redirects you to Searchguide.level3.com and other questionable websites unless you type in certain website address. When you are about to search information for your work via Google, Yahoo or other search engines, many advertisements will be injected to the search results which have nothing to do with your wanted information. No matter which result you click on, it redirects you to unknown websites. It makes it very difficult for you to get what you want on the Internet which is a time consuming thing. Besides, you have no idea what are those websites that you are redirected to. According to our research, potential risk does exist on those unknown websites. Many people did pick up various viruses from them. Virus is easily downloaded nowadays. Virus can be downloaded immediately when you click on malicious link or videos. You need to be very cautious online. The most horrible thing is that Searchguide.level3.com browser hijacker would spy on your online activities by collecting private browser data, such as browsing history, session ids, tracking cookies, account information and even accounts and password information. It collects those data to get revenue by sharing it with some third-party companies. Therefore, do not leave this issue unattended. Many people choose to do shopping online in recent years, so credit card and other bank cards are frequently used on the Internet. If you do not notice this situation and leave this browser hijacker in your system, you are putting your data and money at considerable risk. You must take action to stop its evil task right now!
1. Clean Add-ons and Extensions
* Internet Explorer:
(1). Click Tools in the Menu bar and then click Internet Options
(2). Click Programs tab, click Manage add-ons and disable the suspicious add-ons
* Firefox:
(1). Click Tools in the Menu bar and then click Add-ons
(2). Click Extensions, select the related browser add-ons and click Disable
* Google Chrome:
(1). Click Customize and control Google Chrome button → Tools → Extensions
(2). Disable the extensions of Searchguide.level3.com
2. End Relevant Processes
(1). Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together to pop up Windows Task Manager, click Processes tab
*For Win 8 Users:
Click More details when you see the Task Manager box
And then click Details tab
(2). Find out and end Searchguide.level3.com’s processes
3. Show Hidden Files
(1). Click on Start button and then on Control Panel
(2). Click on Appearance and Personalization
(3). Click on Folder Options
(4). Click on the View tab in the Folder Options window
(5). Choose Show hidden files, folders, and drives under the Hidden files and folders category
(6). Click OK at the bottom of the Folder Options window
*For Win 8 Users:
Press Win+E together to open Computer window, click View and then click Options
Click View tab in the Folder Options window, choose Show hidden files, folders, and drives under the Hidden files and folders category
4. Delete Relevant Registry Entries and Files
(1). Delete the registry entries related to Searchguide.level3.com through Registry Editor
Press Win+R to bring up the Run window, type “regedit” and click “OK”
While the Registry Editor is open, search and delete its registry entries
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run ‘Random’
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Random
(2). Find out and remove the associated files
%AllUsersProfile%\random.exe
%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\random.exe
%Temp%\random.exe
All in all, Searchguide.level3.com browser hijacker is an annoying and unwanted program. However, it is a bit difficult to get rid of it. You might try to change the browser settings back or just reset your browser. However, Searchguide.level3.com comes back automatically as it is pretty stubborn. As this program is installed by you indirectly, your security program can not detect it as a harmful program, leave alone removing it. In this case, you have to remove Searchguide.level3.com browser hijacker manually. Before you do that, you need to note that its related files are more than you can image. As this removal process is complicated, you should remove those files one by one so that this browser hijacker will not come back again.
Published by & last updated on April 5, 2016 7:07 am
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