GetGo Toolbar (search.getgosoft.com)

The GetGo virus, also known as the GetGo Search or GetGo redirect virus (though not technically a computer virus) is potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker and spyware that installs to Microsoft Windows computer systems, attaches to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension (community toolbar), and proceeds to corrupt browser settings. In turn, GetGo malware causes unwanted browser redirections to search.getgosoft.com, search.conduit.com, ask.com, and other websites, as well unwanted start ups when opening a new browser window or tab.

Once installed, GetGo Toolbar causes many problems for computer users relating to computing and browser functionality and the invasion of privacy. Aside from changing existing browser settings including the homepage and managed, provided, and default search engines, GetGo Toolbar is extremely invasive and will collect all computer activity. If GetGo Toolbar is installed, you may become entrapped to unethical permissions set by the item. GetGo claims they (it) can access all data on your computer and the websites you visit.

Some victims of the GetGo Search virus have reported an excessive amount of email spam, junk mail, and even telephone calls from telemarketers and scam artists. It has been concluded that GetGo and associated third-parties collect and distribute collected user information including your name, home address, telephone number, email address, social media information (relationships, searches, history, friends, friends email addresses, friends telephone numbers, friends posts), and more.

GetGo may even collect information manually submitted into online forms while GetGo Toolbar and software used to promote the search engine and other GetGo software are installed. This includes user names, passwords, browser activity, credit card information, bank account details, and more. Cyber crimes relating to the browser hijacker category and especially spyware include credit theft, extortion, identity theft, and others.

GetGo Toolbar and other GetGo items such as the GetGo Download Manager allow third-party malware to infect a computer system and attach to internet browsers without consent, including adware, scareware, and additional browser hijackers.

GetGo and third-party software may cause a computer to become sluggish and slow.

How does GetGo Toolbar get onto a computer?

GetGo Toolbar and other GetGo items that cause unwanted browser redirections (etc.) and other problems can be manually and voluntarily installed from a variety of websites and often bundles with third-party freeware and shareware; however, most victims have reported that GetGo Toolbar and similar items installed without consent and began to transform normal PC settings.

During the installation process of freeware, shareware, and other items users may be given the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install GetGo Toolbar and change their internet browser search engine to GetGo Search (search.getgosoft.com), but most users complain that the request to deny the installation is often ignored or represented in a colluding manner.

 

1. Uninstall GetGo 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 GetGo Search, GetGo Toolbar, and unwanted third party software (including programs you recently installed). Uninstall any 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 stubborn software and software used to promote the GetGo Search browser hijacker.

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 unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the found software click Run Uninstaller.

2. Remove GetGo Toolbar

If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.

Google Chrome

1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the GetGo Toolbar extension (Getgo Community Toolbar) and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the GetGo Toolbar add-on (Getgo Community Toolbar) and remove it.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.

2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the GetGo Toolbar add-on (Getgo Community Toolbar) and remove it if located.

3. Automatically remove GetGo malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove GetGo Toolbar and/or third-party malware from your computer system.

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).

4. 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 GetGo Search and other unwanted search engines.

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 “getgo, manager, or search” in the title or filename.

5. Manually remove search.getgosoft.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.getgosoft.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.getgosoft.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.getgosoft.com and replace it with your preferred URL.

6. Manually remove search.getgosoft.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.getgosoft.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.getgosoft.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 the search.getgosoft.com search engine to remove it.

Please note, If http://www.search.getgosoft.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 unwanted search engine by clicking the X next to it.

Related links:

• How to remove Entrusted Toolbar (hijacker)
• How to remove Coupon Drop Down (adware)
• Get Anti-malware, Antivirus, and Cleaning & Optimization software