Nattly Search virus (Nattly.com)

The Nattly Search virus (also found as Nattly virus, though not technically a virus) is potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker that changes existing internet browser settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer including the home page, which causes affected browsers to start up on nattly.com when opening a new window or tab, and the default, managed, and provided search engine causing the mentioned browsers to redirect to nattly.com and other websites including search.conduit.com. The Nattly Search virus also causes many other issues for computer and internet users relating to computer and browser functionality and the invasion of privacy.

Once software (malware) used to promote nattly.com (Nattly Search) is installed, it may begin to transform existing Microsoft Windows start up settings and internet browser settings. Software used to promote the unwanted and questionable search engine and cause redirections to nattly.com include standalone (Nattly Toolbar, Nattly Search Toolbar) and third-party browser add-ons, browser helper objects (BHOs), extensions, and even freeware or shareware. Removing a third-party item has often stopped the nattly.com redirect and will decline permissions of malicious objects.

Nattly.com search results are reported to be irrelevant, non-beneficial, sponsored, and may promote malicious software including fraudulent Windows security tools. A simple search for the term “botcrawl” reveals that Nattly Search Engine will display sponsored results for websites we do not wish for anyone to visit.

Most victims of the Nattly Search hijacker have reported that their privacy has been invaded. In most cases victims of the Nattly virus have reported excessive email spam, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers concerning their recent internet browsing activity. This concludes that Nattly Search malware may collect and distribute user information to third-parties and submit users to marketing and mailing lists without consent.

In rarer cases victims of browser hijackers have fallen victim to severe cyber crimes including credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. If Nattly Toolbar or similar items are installed you are at risk of the loss of personal data.

How does Nattly Search malware get onto a computer?

The Nattly Search malware often bundles with third-party freeware and shareware who seek to unethically monetize free products and services. If you recently installed free software you may have picked up the Nattly Search virus. Users may be given the opportunity to accept or decline and offer to install Nattly Search and related malware during the installation process of third-party items; however, the request to decline is often ignored.

The Nattly hijacker may also be contracted via advertisements, torrents, and compromised social media content.

 

1. Uninstall Nattly Search software (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 Nattly Search, Natly 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 Nattly 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 Nattly Search

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 Nattly Search extension 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 Nattly Search add-on and remove it.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.

2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Nattly Search add-on and remove it if located.

3. Automatically remove Nattly Search malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove Nattly Search 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 Nattly 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 “Nattly or search” in the title or filename.

5. Manually remove Nattly.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 nattly.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 nattly.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 nattly.com and replace it with your preferred URL.

6. Manually remove Nattly.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 nattly.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 nattly.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 nattly.com search engine to remove it.

Please note, If http://www.nattly.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