How to remove the Defaultsear.ch virus – Defaultsearch removal instructions
What is the Defaultsear.ch virus (Defaultsearch)?
The Defaultsear.ch virus also referred to as the Defaultsearch or Default Search virus is malware categorized as a browser hijacker that changes existing internet browser settings of popular internet browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer without consent, including the default search engine causing unwanted redirections to defaultsear.ch and other websites, the home page, and browser shortcut, which causes infected browsers to start-up on and target the http://defaultsear.ch domain or other suspicious search engines.
Defaultsear.ch attempts to appear like a legitimate search engine and may even use the developer tools distributed by Google.com. Though Defaultsear.ch may appear legitimate, it is recommended to avoided this search engine, as many reports indicate Defaultsear.ch as being dangerous and invasive. Furthermore, victims of the Defaultsear.ch virus often report incidents occurring without their direct authorization.
Defaultsear.ch and third-party malware may collect user information and install unwanted software to the computer with out consent. Defaultsear.ch may also bundle alongside third-party software and vice versa. It has been noted that removing a third-party browser object often stops browsers from redirecting to www.defaultsear.ch.
Some reports indicate that Defaultsear.ch and third-party malware may include users to marketing lists without their consent. In some cases, victims received a high quantity of email spam, phone calls from telemarketers, and junk mail relative to internet searches and recent internet browser activity.
How does Defaultsear.ch infect a computer?
Defaultsear.ch primarily infects a computer via third-party items such as freeware, shareware, and codecs. Defaultsear.ch may even bundle inside third-party browser add-ons, extensions, plug-ins, and Toolbars such as vGrabber Toolbar and others. Removing third-party malware and browser objects often removes settings set in place by Defaultsear.ch.
There are essentially numerous ways for a computer to become infected with a redirection virus such as the defaultsear.ch redirect aside from the previously mentioned. Compromised social media content, torrents, and even free downloads from trusted but unethical websites such as download.com may include unwanted browser hijackers with their products in order to monetize their services.
How to remove Defaultsear.ch malware
How to remove Defaultsear.ch malware- Uninstall Defaultsear.ch – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to Defaultsear.ch (from 2 options)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked Defaultsear.ch browser settings and automatically uninstall associated software
- Manually remove Defaultsear.ch homepage
- Manually remove Defaultsear.ch search engine
1. Uninstall Defaultsear.ch (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 suspicious third party programs. 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 browser hijackers. 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 unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the software 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 Defaultsear.ch 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://defaultsear.ch 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 “default” in the title or filename.
4. Manually remove Defaultsear.ch 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 Defaultsear.ch from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove Defaultsear.ch 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 Defaultsear.ch and replace it with your preferred URL.
5. Manually remove Defaultsear.ch 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 Defaultsear.ch 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 Defaultsear.ch 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 Defaultsear.ch to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://defaultsear.ch 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.defaultsear.ch by clicking the X next to it.
