How to remove the Info virus – Search.info.com redirect removal
What is the Info virus (Info.com Search)?
The Info virus or Search Info virus are terms for potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker that has caused many problems for computer and internet users. It has been reported that info.com may install unwanted software including adware, rootkits, spyware, and additional browser hijackers, as well as change internet browser settings including the homepage and default search engine without consent. This causes internet browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer to redirect to search.info.com, search34.info.com, and other webpages, including Ask.com.
Info.com claims to be a legitimate search engine that combines search results from Google, Bing, Ask, Yandex, and more, but it should be noted that simple searches will result in a long list of sponsored results and advertisements that have been reported to install malware and trojan horses to a computer system without permission. Simply searching legitimate and safe terms on the Info.com search engine prompted advertisements for scareware (rogue software) and suspicious titles primarily used to scaremonger victims by displaying fake computer security issues in order to defraud victims to purchase an unnecessary full version of the software.
Info.com and relating websites, may associate and bundle with additional third-party browser hijackers in forms of add-ons, extensions, plug-ins, and toolbars that edit browser settings without user knowledge. In some cases removing a third-party browser object has stopped infected browsers from redirecting to search34.info.com and other info.com related webpages.
Info.com and relating parties are dangerous concerning the invasion of privacy and entrapment, as the Info Search page may appear like a helpful search engine, but has been linked to severe forms of malware infections. Users who use the search.info.com search engine may experience may unwanted symptoms such as excessive email spam, phone calls from telemarketers, and junk mail relating to recent computer and browser activity. This can also lead to credit theft and identity theft. Info.com may also associate with pop-up advertisements and third-party adware platforms.
Info.com, search34.info.com, and relating websites are not recommended for a safe search experience. If your internet browser is redirecting to info.com, it may be necessary to remove unwanted malware from your computer system and repair hijacked internet browser settings.
How to remove Info.com malware
How to remove Info.com malware- Uninstall unwanted software – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to Info.com (from 2 options)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked Info.com browser settings and automatically uninstall associated software
- Manually remove Info.com homepage
- Manually remove Info.com search engine
1. Uninstall unwanted 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 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 Info.com 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://info.com 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 “search or info” in the title or filename.
4. Manually remove Info.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 Info.com (search34.info.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 Info.com (search34.info.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 Info.com (search34.info.com) and replace it with your preferred URL.
5. Manually remove Info.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 Info.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 Info.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 Info.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://info.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 www.info.com by clicking the X next to it.
