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| stop default-search.net from hijacking |
OUTLINE
- To rectify some misconceptions about default-search.net
- Get to know some features of default-search.net
- Default-search.net can be potentially dangerous
- Follow removal thread to remove default-search.net
- Some tips
Misconception about Default-search.net
Default-search.net Is Not Virus
As a matter of fact, default-search.net is a browser hijacker, or one can simply take it as a traffic exchanging site since its frequent hijacking is to intercept traffic and re-allocate the traffic to its partners’ sites or the sites made by the same creator. This is the exact reason why anti-virus programs are not able to take down default-search.net.
The industry tends to call default-search.net as PUP (potentially unwanted program) as such items have been found by security companies to be capitalized by infections to execute evil deeds (more information will be provided below).
Default-search.net Is Not Redirector
PC users are simply confused about hijacker and redirector. Strictly speaking, default-search.net is a browser hijacker rather than redirector as it hijacks default homepage, search engine, search results and new tabs. The destination is always default-search.net. While redirector redirects PC users to another URL and just appears for seconds.
Some Features about Default-search.net
Get to know the features about default-search.net will help in understanding the potential dangers brought by the browser hijacker and why such application would be appealing to infections.
- Default-search.net bundles with multiple applications and programs: to make itself popular, the browser hijacker would bundle as many programs as possible so that high exposure rate can be achieved.
- Default-search.net loads random ads: one could notice the random ads displayed on the interface of the hijacker; with more ads and the corresponding cache loaded onto the target machine, CPU/internal resource will be consumed unreasonably to hinder smooth and normal operation.
- Default-search.net, being one of the numerous hijackers, is not necessarily strictly built; thus bug can exist.
- Default-search.net is driven by the ultimate goal of getting money within a short period of time. In such case, the hijacker will not filter out partners carefully, some suspicious applications could also be bundled with default-search.net.
Potentially Dangerous Default-search.net
Learning from the features, one should have now known that capitalizing default-search.net would be much beneficial. Once default-search.net is attacked by virus, the virus would be able to spreads rapidly, net many PC users at one time, record confidential information by utilizing the basic techniques (BHO and JS techniques ) involved in building the hijacker.
Knowledge supplement: BHO and JS techniques are allowed and basic in building web pages. However, some slight modifications would make the two techniques evil without being stopped by anti-virus programs that stop malicious behaviors based on vicious attribute code.
Follow Removal Thread to Remove Default-search.net
A
Reset browser settings.
Internet Explorer
Tools menu > Internet Options > Advanced tab > Restore Defaults button > OK.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox button > Help > Troubleshooting information > ‘Reset Firefox’ button.
Google Chrome
‘Customize and Control Google Chrome’ menu > ‘Options’ > ‘Under the Hood’ > ‘Reset to Defaults’ button.
Opera
Show hidden files and folders (see Step C) > navigate to "C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Opera\Opera\" > remove Operapref.ini.
Safari
Safari menu > ‘Reset Safari’ > tick all given options > ‘Reset’ button.
B
Modify Hosts file to stop default-search.net from hijacking.
Windows
Win+R key combination > type CMD > hit Enter key > type "ping default-search.net" > Enter key > note down the IP address > navigate to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc > click open Hosts file > paste the IP address to the last line > save file.
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| ping default-search.net to block it from hijacking |
Mac OS X
Finder launchpad icon > Utilities > Terminal > type "ping default-search.net" > Enter/Return key > note down the IP address > shift+command+g key combination > type “etc” (/private/etc/hosts) > Enter/Return key > click open Hosts file > paste the IP address to the last line > save it to modify host file.
C
Remove all the Temp files under the following directories.
Windows 7/XP/Vista
Click open ‘Control Panel’ > search for ‘Folder Options’ > tap View tab > tick ‘Show hidden files and folders' and non-tick 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)’.
Windows 8
Start screen > open any folder > open Windows Explorer > select View tab > Tick ‘File name extensions’ and ‘Hidden items’ options.
navigate to the following directories and remove all the files and folders:
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet File
Mac OS X
Finder > Utilities folder > terminal:
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| access Macs Terminal to clear up default-search.net's temp files |
- type
cd ~/Library/Logs
and press Return button.
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/* - type
rm -rf ~/Library/Safari/Downloads.plist
and press Return button.
cd ~/Library/Caches
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/*
Be noted that additional items should also be removed in the process so as to prevent from its re-image. Do not throw your connivance over the extensions or toolbars, they also can be bundled with PUPs such as default-search.net. Please understand that there’s no universal explicit instruction to help remove default-search.net as the situation (the items dropped by default-search.net, the directory default-search.net settles in and the name of the dropped down items) can vary from OS to OS. Therefore, an effective thread is offered and certain level of computer knowledge as well as skill is required to carry out the steps to move forward complete and thorough removal.
Reference:
Remove Default-Search.net, Terminate the Browser Hijacker Immediately
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