You see Looksafesearch.com as the homepage in the browser all of a sudden? The default search engine is also not your original one? If you are constantly redirected to its domain and receive many pop-up windows when you are surfing, you can be sure that your computer is infected with this browser hijacker.
Looksafesearch.com is a browser hijacker equipped with advanced technology which interferes with the online activities of many computer users. Relying on its pure interface, it pretends to be a legitimate search engine. Contrary to expectations, it is just a browser redirect or hijacker used by its developers to generate network traffic. It gets in the target computer when the user visits suspicious websites. Downloading some free software or shareware from unknown sources will also give it a chance. After finishing its installation, the hijacker modifies the default browser homepage as well as search engine through tampering browser settings forcedly. Other similar hijackers include Rsearch.ShopAtHome.com and Websearch.exitingsearch.info.
It seems that the use of Looksafesearch.com may be harmless. However, when you open a new tab or link in the browser, it will pop up automatically without any expectation, which won’t be done by legitimate sites. Moreover, it has the ability to redirect your search results randomly to commercial or obscene contents. It is obvious that this redirect should be removed in a timely manner to end its irritation symptoms. If you delay removing it, it can install unnecessary plug-ins or add-ons in the computer to track your online records. In other words, some evil cyber criminals may be able to collect your sensitive data that include your files, login name and password or bank account details. In order to avoid bad results, computer users need to find an effective method to eliminate it fully. You may choose to get rid of it via the installed antivirus program, but the antivirus program even could not pick up the tricky redirect. You are strongly recommended and to delete Looksafesearch.com manually.
1. Looksafesearch.com is able to become the startup page of your web browser via modifying browser settings. No matter which browser you are using (Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera), you can see the browser is occupied by it completely.
2. It may also install plug-ins, extensions and toolbars in the browser so as to record your search history as well as cookies.
3. You need to wait for a long time when visiting websites because the browser always gets stuck and is slow in reaction.
4. This annoying redirect may also result in unstable Internet connection and system freezes frequently.
5. You are forced to receive many advertisement windows when the computer is connected to the Internet.
Looksafesearch.com browser hijacker has the ability to change the default browser settings and redirect you to random sites (usually sites playing unreliable advertisements or even containing virulent Trojan viruses, spyware and other infections). You may have noticed that most browser hijackers won’t be detected by antivirus programs. The same goes to this one. Its considerable visitor volume benefits numerous product manufacturers, freeware developers and website promoters, thus, they are willing to maintain long-term relationship with it. Actually, the main reason for the failure detection of antivirus programs is its successful disguise. Through making use of advanced technology, it maintains the ability to combine its components with system files or to generate fake system files, which confuses computer users as well as antivirus programs. They cannot identify it accurately and timely, let alone remove it thoroughly. Therefore, manual removal is the best choice to drive it away from your computer. In this case, you are advised to delete every file generated by it manually so as to spare all later trouble. The manual removal needs to be handled carefully so as to avoid any subsequent damages. Users can follow the manual guide here to have the hijacker removed instantly.
1. Clean Add-ons and Extensions
* Internet Explorer:
(1). Click Tools in the Menu bar and then click Internet Options
(3). 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 Looksafesearch.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 Looksafesearch.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 Looksafesearch.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
(2). Find out and remove the associated files
Looksafesearch.com is identified as an obnoxious browser hijacker which spreads quickly. Most computer users do not know the sly infection is sensitive and some do not even pay attention to the symptom that the browser homepage is secretly changed to it. Pretending to be a reliable and secure search service provider, it weakens computer users’ vigilance successfully. It is able to master your online habits so as to show you many ads. Sometimes, you may encounter strange pop-up windows interrupting your work on the computer. These pop-up windows usually contain a lot of sponsored links or sale content. You will be redirected to some specific websites that may coax you to process financial transactions if you click on them. It also has the ability to record your search history as well as preferences. Some of your favorite sites will also be blocked, which brings inconvenience. In order to save your computer, the best way is to remove Looksafesearch.com from the computer without hesitation.
The above manual removal is quite dangerous and complicated, which needs sufficient professional skills. Therefore, only computer users with rich computer knowledge are recommended to implement the process because any errors including deleting important system files and registry entries will crash your computer system. If you have no idea of how to process the manual removal, please contact experts from YooCare Online Tech Support for further assistance.
Published by & last updated on March 13, 2014 9:56 am
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