How To Remove The Scour.com Redirection Virus And Uninstall The Scour Toolbar Hijacker (Scour Community)
What is the Scour.com virus and Scour Toolbar hijacker?
The Scour virus (Scour.com virus) is a browser hijacker that uses browser helper objects including the Scour Toolbar to change internet browser settings without permission. The Scour virus is often referred to as the Scour.com redirection virus because Scour and/or the Scour Toolbar hijack Provided Search Engine Settings changing the infected browser’s internal search engine. This causes internet searches and URLs inputted into the browser’s address bar to redirect to scour.com and scour.com webpages. The Scour.com virus and Scour Toolbar hijack also change Home Page settings to Scour.com, causing browsers to direct to Scour websites upon start up.
Scour is known to install applications, BHOs, software, etc. such as the Scour Toolbar. Toolbars in connection with adware and spyware are used to trace, track, and collect internet user activity including history, location, and minuscule data such as screen resolution.
The information collected by Scour may be shared with third parties and used to prolong a revenue stream via the victim’s internet activity. Also note, links provided are paid for, search results may not be realistic and may contain malicious and/or unwanted affects.
Why is my browser redirecting to Scour.com?
If your internet browser is redirecting to Scour.com without your consent during searches you are likely infected with third party malware, viruses, and/or Trojans. The Scour.com redirection virus may have been contracted by visiting a website hosting malware, or falling victim to online phishing schemes such as spam emails and clicking malicious social media links.
Other reasons why Scour.com may have an impact on your browser is because of voluntary installment of the Scour Toolbar and addition of the Scour.com provided search engine. Note, the Scour – Social Search Search Engine can be voluntarily installed by clicking the link on the top right of their home page (pictured below).
Scour.com, the Scour Toolbar, and the Scour community are allegedly used to create an online community where users can comment on websites, vote, and search. This community tactic is otherwise known as a marketing list. Your information is traced, tracked, store, distributed, and used without the knowledge of your permission.
Use the instructions below to remove malware affecting your system and repair your internet browser from the Scour.com redirect virus.
1. Anti-Malware Software (Remove/Troubleshoot Malware)
Malwarebytes is the most recommended Antivirus – Anti-Malware software used to scan, detect, and remove malware including browser hijackers such as the Scour.com redirection virus and Scour Toolbar. View other Antivirus recommendations. If malware has been detected and removed, repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines if needed to stop redirections if necessary.
2. System Restore (Remove/Troubleshoot Malware)
Perform a system restore to an automatic restore point created by Window’s each week or during system updates. This can be very helpful if you suspect a severe malware or virus infection. Once complete, repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines if necessary to stop redirections. This can also be used to remove the Scour Toolbar from your system. Note, Microsoft creates restore points when once a new program has been introduced to a system.
3. Uninstall Scour Toolbar
Scour.com usually installs the Scour Toolbar onto computer systems in order to affect Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox settings (excluding Google Chrome). Use the steps below to uninstall the Scour Toolbar hijacker.
1. Access Window’s Start Menu and select Control Panel
2. Select Uninstall a program or Add and remove programs
3. Find Scour Toolbar in the list of installed programs, select it and click the Uninstall button or double click it to properly uninstall the unwanted Scour Toolbar program.
4. Remove Scour Toolbar Add-on/Extension
Scour installs attaches a browser helper object onto infected internet browsers called the Scour Toolbar. If you have succeeded in uninstalling the Scour Toolbar through Window’s Uninstalled described above you may not find the Scour Toolbar add-on/extension still in existence.
Use the steps below to remove the Scour Toolbar from each internet browser installed on your system, if necessary.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Add-ons. (Ctrl+Shift+A)
2. On the Extensions and Plugin tabs find Scour Toolbar and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab find Scour Toolbar and remove it.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Wrench or 3 bar icon next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Delete the Scour Toolbar by clicking the trash can icon next to it.
5. Repair Home Page
How to remove Scour.com from your home page.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click Tools and select Options.
2. On the General tab remove Scour.com and click Restore to Default or add you preferred URL.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Internet Options.
2. On the General tab remove Scour.com and click Restore to Default or add your preferred URL.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Wrench or 3 bar icon next to the address bar and select Settings.
2. Under the On startup section click Set pages.
3. Click the X next to Scour.com, then add or keep your preferred URL such as botcrawl.com.
6. Repair Provided Search Engines
How to stop redirecting to Scour.com.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Click the small search arrow or magnify glass near the search bar at the top of the internet browser.
2. Select Manage search engines…
3. Select Scour.com, then click remove. Scour.com might be set as default or listed under Other search engines.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. Navigate to the Search Providers list.
3. Select Scour.com and click the Remove button.
Google Chrome
1. Click the 3 bar or wrench settings icon and select Settings.
2. In the Search section select the Manage search engines… button.
3. Remove Scour.com by clicking the X next to it when selected.
If Scour.com is set as the default search engine, add and chose another search engine (such as Google.com) as a default engine by selecting it (Google.com) and clicking the “make default” transparent blue box that appears shown in the image below.
7. Clear Cache And Cookies
If you visited Scour.com and fear you and your data is being traced, tracked, and used against your consent it is recommended to delete your browser data. Scour.com and other websites load cookie files onto computer system allowing them to collect, store, and track information such as browser activity and system information. You can remove your browser cache and cookie files in your browser’s preference or settings options.
