How to remove Clicktosearch (Virus Removal Guide)
Clicktosearch is the title of an adware type program. Reputable Antivirus engines detect Clicktosearch adware as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The adware is known to infiltrate a computer system without consent of the user, access user browsing data, and generate targeted advertisements relative to the user browsing data that it observes.
Once Clicktosearch adware has been contracted internet users will notice pop-up and targeted advertisements that say “Ads by Clicktosearch” on them. Ads brought by this adware can arrive as generic banners, common pop-ups, pop-under ads that take up an entire browser window, and in-text ads that appear when a user hovers over underlined hyperlinked words.
The ‘Clicktosearch virus’ is intrusive. It injects the webpages internet users visit with targeted advertisements in the form of banners, pop-under webpages, and underlined in-text hyper link ads. Sometimes this adware will generate sponsored search results and suggestions. Unwanted targeted advertisements are a big concern because in order to create ‘targeted’ advertisements and sponsored search results Clicktosearch adware will need to access and gather user browsing data and modify current browser settings. Information this adware observes includes all data on the websites you visit and all browsing activities, such as information submitted into online forms (online searches, email addresses, telephone numbers, etc.), bookmarks, and browser history. This information together will allow the adware and programs that it bundles with to generate advertisements that target internet users based off their current and past online habits.
Clicktosearch adware also bundles with other unwanted programs, browser extensions, malware, and malicious threats. This adware and the programs that it bundles with schedule new tasks and change existing system start-up settings in order to run every time Windows starts and remain enabled. Programs and browser attachments that may arrive with this adware infection can also cause additional issues for computer and internet users not relating to pop-up advertisements.
Other symptoms of this adware infection may include a loss in computer functionality, sluggish internet connectivity, browser redirects to sponsored webpages, and more.
Even though the Clicktosearch virus is not technically defined as a computer virus the unwanted program is still a threat or the sign of a serious computer infection. Since Clicktosearch is known to download and install alongside third-party malware, malicious files, and additional potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), including pesky adware like sale-o, it will be necessary to uninstall multiple programs and remove multiple browser add-ons and extensions in order to stop all unwanted activities from occurring. Apart from manually eradicating the program and others that it bundles with, files may remain undetected to the average computer user. That is why the professional internet security community recommends to use a reputable anti-malware product to remove Clicktosearch and malicious files that it may bundle with.
How did Clicktosearch get on my computer?
Clicktosearch and the programs it bundles with are usually always contracted without user consent or knowledge. The adware is used to promote free downloadable content from a variety of locations on the web; therefor it bundles with multiple objects. Free downloadable content that this adware may bundle with includes freeware, shareware, torrents, and more.
Users who wish to consciously and manually install freeware may be given the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install Clicktosearch adware and other objects alongside the freeware during the installation and setup process; However, the user request to decline the adware from installing is often ignored by the program or presented in a deceptive manner and the adware will install anyways.
This program and objects that it bundles with can also be promoted through questionable advertisements. These advertisements are usually dishonest, misleading, and cause the program to automatically download and install once clicked on.
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- Clicktosearch can read and change all your data on the websites you visit and read and change your browsing history.
- Clicktosearch can manage your apps, extensions, downloads, and themes.
- Clicktosearch bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and malware.
- Clicktosearch is usually packed inside installers and downloaders from websites such as Cnet (download.com), Softonic, and others.
- Clicktosearch injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
- Clicktosearch makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts and check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program is disabled it will enable itself.
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How to remove Clicktosearch (Removal Guide)
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- Step 1: Remove Clicktosearch extensions
- Step 2: Uninstall Clicktosearch from Windows
- Step 3: Remove Clicktosearch virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner by Piriform
- For Tech Support Call: 1-888-879-0084
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Step 1: Remove Clicktosearch extensions
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1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon on the top menu and navigate to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Clicktosearch extension in the list. Remove unwanted browser extensions individually by clicking the trashcan icon next to each one.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. Search for the Clicktosearch add-ons on the Extensions and Plugin tab. Highlight each one individually and click remove.
Apple Safari
1. Click Safari and go to Preferences > Extensions.
2. Find the Clicktosearch extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
Step 2: Uninstall Clicktosearch from Windows
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. On Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program in the Programs section.
3. Search for Clicktosearch and other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs. Once an unwanted program is located, double click the item or select it with your mouse and click the Uninstall button. If you can not find this program in the list of installed program please see steps 3 and 4 below.
Step 3: Remove Clicktosearch virus with Malwarebytes
1. Download and install the free or full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The full version enables real-time protection to block malware and unwanted programs from infecting your computer, while the free version is just a free scan and removal tool.
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2. Open the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.
3. Click the large Scan Now button or visit the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan.
4. Once the malware scan is complete, click the Remove Selected button and reboot your computer.
Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Download and install the free or full version of CCleaner by Piriform.
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2. Once installed, open 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.