How to remove BrotherSoft Toolbar virus – Search.brothersoft.com redirect removal instructions
What is the BrotherSoft Toolbar virus?
The BrotherSoft Toolbar virus or also referred to as the BrotherSoft virus or BrotherSoft redirect are terms for a malicious browser attachment (BHO, add-on, extension), categorized as malware, in particular a browser hijacker that changes browser settings including the home page, default search engine, browser shortcut, and other settings of popular internet browsers, as well as causes further privacy issues for computer and internet users. BrotherSoft Toolbar malware changes internet settings in order to causes unwanted redirections to search.brothersoft.com (freeware, mobile, games, etc. engine) and other domain names and search engines related to the brothersoft.com download site, which alike CNET’s download.com, distrubutes privacy invading malware and software that may entrap computer users in order to generate affiliated revenue via bundled items. Redirects to search.brothersoft.com often occur when using the browser’s address bar to search the web or while voluntarily submitting to the BrotherSoft Toolbar and third-party browser attachments.
The BrotherSoft Toolbar and associated third-party browser add-ons, extensions, toolbars, plugins, and general software downloaders and setup files have been reported to install onto computer systems without detection or permission when installing software from Brothersoft.com and associated/sponsored websites, even though users of Brothersoft.com may be given the opportunity to “opt out” of installing the BrotherSoft Toolbar. Others claim that the Brother Software search engine results page promote malicious advertisements, software, games mobile items, etc., as well as contain links with the potential to contain additional computer viruses and malware to the computer, as well as other unwanted software.
Brothersoft.com alike many similar websites in efforts to monetize freeware will bundle third-party software with their items and vice versa, often entrapping users to terms they would never agree with if presented with in a proper manner. This is seen as a very unethical cyber-marketing tactic that businesses should be penalized for in the future. Websites like Brothersoft.com offer third-party software, that also bundle with additional third-party software and so on, and so on, and so on. EULA content is certainly in need of being properly updated concerning the privacy of computer users if this continues to happen. Many victims of BrotherSoft have also reported excessive email spam, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers, leading to the conclusion that users may be added to marketing lists without knowledge.
Is Brothersoft.com safe (www.brothersoft.com review)?
Brothersoft.com is not safe to use for less experienced computer users because websites like BrotherSoft and Eazel use very confusing marketing tactics to target and entrap the unsuspecting user. Experienced users who simply seek legitimate freeware are also in danger since BrotherSoft.com has been reported to contain spyware, trojan horses, scareware, browser hijackers, and adware (especially coupon adware) within their downloadable content. It should also be noted that BrotherSoft.com contains junk or useless software.
If the BrotherSoft Toolbar and other malware installed to your computer and internet browser without consent, or if you are experiencing unwanted redirections to brothersoft.com (http://search.brothersoft.com, etc.) and other websites, please see our free BrotherSoft Toolbar removal instructions below containing several automatic and manual removal solutions to remove the BrotherSoft virus and third-party malware.
How to remove BrotherSoft malware (hijacker)
- Uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar – Use the correct procedures to uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar (2 options)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked BrotherSoft browser settings and automatically uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar
- Manually remove search.brothersoft.com homepage
- Manually remove search.brotherSoft.com search engine
1. Uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for BrotherSoft Toolbar and other suspicious third party programs. Uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar and unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar if it’s difficult to remove. CCleaner is notorious for removing similar hijackers such as Conduit Search.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate BrotherSoft Toolbar in the list. To automatically uninstall BrotherSoft Toolbar click Run Uninstaller.
2. Scan computer for malware (Automated removal)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the BrotherSoft virus.
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).
3. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://search.brotherSoft.com and other websites.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “BrotherSoft” or simply “bro” in the title or filename.
4. Manually remove search.brotherSoft.com homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove search.brothersoft.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove search.brothersoft.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove search.brothersoft.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
5. Manually remove search.brothersoft.com search engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the search.brothersoft.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the search.brothersoft.com search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to search.brothersoft.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If www.search.brothersoft.com is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.search.brothersoft.com by clicking the X next to it.
