How To Remove The Search ALOT Redirection Virus Hijacker (Search.alot.com, Alot Toolbar, Alot Appbar, Alothome.com)
What is the ALOT virus (Alot.com, Search.Alot.com)?
ALOT (Search.Alot.com, Alot.com, Alothome.com) is malware (adware and spyware) and a scam, categorized as an internet browser hijacker and commonly referred to as a redirection virus that infects Microsoft Internet Explorer (7,8,9) and Mozilla Firefox (4+) internet browsers on Window’s XP, Vista, and 7. ALOT products and ALOT.com are considered dangerous because of issues regarding invasion of privacy and cyber criminal activity, such as third party malware and viruses capable of fatally depleting computer and internet browser functionality.
By use of ALOT add-ons and extensions (as well as visiting ALOT based websites) such as the ALOT Toolbar and ALOT Appbar, ALOT and ALOT.com provide unnecessay internet browser customization and free downloadable computer applications. In turn for using ALOT products with or without user consent, Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com (redirection virus) openly trace and track internet activity and allow third party malware applications such as adware and spyware platforms access to your computer and internet browser. These third party malware platforms may display malicious advertisements causing a more severe malware infection and can also collect personal and private information.
What is the ALOT Toolbar?
The ALOT Toolbar is adware and spyware used to collect user information with or without consent. If the ALOT Toolbar is installed on your system and internet browser, your personal data and computer are at risk.
By using the ALOT Toolbar with or without consent, you have legally agreed to Alot.com policies and terms even if you are unaware the malware has infected your system.
The ALOT Toolbar may install alongside other malware and viruses as well as bundle with third party add-ons and extensions.
What is the ALOT Appbar?
The ALOT Appbar is a more intense version of the ALOT Toolbar that gives the user more custom options, such as choosing Appbar color schemes.
The ALOT Appbar allows more third party malware, viruses, and Trojans to infect your system along side the extension.
If the ALOT Toolbar or ALOT Appbar are installed on your internet browser remove them as soon as possible to protect your privacy and computer functionality.
Are ALOT online products safe to use?
No, ALOT products are NOT SAFE to use.
Alike other faux “custom search engines” and extensions that allow free application downloads and browser add-ons, the sole purpose these companies and websites are created is to extract user information and turn a profit by allowing third party access to user systems and data.
The dangers and symptoms of an Alot.com, Alothome.com, Search.alot.com, and general ALOT product infection are detailed below.
Dangers and Symptoms of an ALOT infection
- Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com install add-ons and extensions with or without user consent, sometimes installing alongside malware and viruses, or appearing bundled with third party malware, viruses, and Trojans.
- An ALOT infection changes Home Page settings on Start Up to direct to Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com.
- An ALOT infection causes internet searches and inputted URLs to redirect to Alot.com, Alothome.com, Search.alot.com, and related websites.
- Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com infections collect, store, and sell information such as location of the infected computer system, internet activity, and more.
- Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com allow third party malware, viruses, and Trojans to infect computer systems, which in turn may collect personal information such as stored passwords, credit card numbers, and any combination inputted into a connected keyboard by use of keyloggers. Aside from collecting personal information malware, viruses, and Trojans may cause a computer system to lose complete functionality.
- Alot.com, Alothome.com, and Search.alot.com is detected as malware and viruses by many big Antivirus and Anti-Malware software companies such as Norton and Malwarebytes.
How to Remove the ALOT redirection virus
Before you remove any reminisces of an ALOT infection from your compuer, wither the installation was voluntarily or not, it is recommended to clear internet browser cache and cookies. You can clear your internet browser cache and cookies in preference and settings options of your installed internet browsers.
Steps to completely remove ALOT infections and repair internet browser settings, such as home page and redirections are detailed below.
- Uninstall ALOT Toolbar
- Uninstall ALOT Appbar
- Repair Home Page Settings (Stop Start Up Redirection)
- Repair Provided Search Engines (Stop Redirection)
- System Restore (Optional)
- Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software (Optional)
1. How To Uninstall The ALOT Toolbar
To remove the ALOT Toolbar, first use Window’s Uninstaller, followed by searching your internet browser for the ALOT Toolbar extension.
1. Access Window’s Uninstaller by navigating to Window’s Start Menu and selecting Control Panel.
2. Select “Uninstall a program” or “Add or remove programs” (depending on your Window’s installation).
3. In the list of installed programs find the ALOT Toolbar, double click and uninstall/ right click it and select uninstall, or highlight the malware and click uninstall. (To kill 2 bird with 1 stone, search for the ALOT Appbar and uninstall it using the same directions)
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Access Tools > Manage Add-ons
2. Search for and remove the ALOT Toolbar or other suspicious add-ons and extensions
Mozilla Firefox
1. Access Tools > Add-ons (Ctrl+Shift+A)
2. Search for and remove the ALOT Toolbar or other suspicious add-ons and extensions
2. How To Uninstall The ALOT Appbar
To remove the ALOT Appbar, first use Window’s Uninstaller, followed by searching your internet browser for the ALOT Appbar extension.
1. Access Window’s Uninstaller by navigating to Window’s Start Menu and selecting Control Panel.
2. Select “Uninstall a program” or “Add or remove programs” (depending on your Window’s installation).
3. In the list of installed programs find the ALOT Appbar, double click and uninstall/ right click it and select uninstall, or highlight the malware and click uninstall. (To kill 2 bird with 1 stone, if you have not already, search for the ALOT Toolbar and uninstall it using the same directions)
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Access Tools > Manage Add-ons
2. Search for and remove the ALOT Appbar or other suspicious add-ons and extensions
Mozilla Firefox
1. Access Tools > Add-ons (Ctrl+Shift+A)
2. Search for and remove the ALOT Appbar or other suspicious add-ons and extensions
3. Repair Home Page Settings (Stop Start Up Redirection)
ALOT may change home page settings upon start up to Alot.com, Search.alot.com, Alothome.com, or other associated and third party websites. To remove these websites as your home page please follow the directions below.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click “Tools” then “Internet Options.
3. Find the “General” tab and in the “Homepage” area click the “Use default” button or change the URL to your preferred website.
4. Click “OK” and then click your homepage icon again.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open Firefox.
2. Click “Tools” -> “Options”.
3. Under the “General” tab locate the “Startup”/”Home Page” area and click “Restore to Default” or change the URL to your preferred website.
4. Click “OK” and then click your homepage icon again.
4. Repair Provided Search Engines (Stop Redirection)
ALOT may change search engine providers causing searches and inputted URLs to redirect to Alot.com, Search.alot.com, Alothome.com, or other associated and third party websites.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Access Tools > Manage Add-ons > Search Providers
2. Remove Alot.com, Search.alot.com, Alothome.com, or other associated and third party search engines. Change the provided search engine to your preferred URL (Google.com, Botcrawl.com)
Mozilla Firefox
1. Acess Tools > Search Icon (Magnify Glass, Arrow) > Manage Search Engines
2. Remove Alot.com, Search.alot.com, Alothome.com, or other associated and third party search engines. Change the provided search engine to your preferred URL (Google.com, Botcrawl.com)
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