How To Remove The Uslc.search-help.net Redirection Virus & Search Help Hijacker

What is the uslc.search-help.net redirection virus?

The uslc.search-help.net (Paetec virus) redirection virus is essentially malware, categorized as an internet browser hijacker that “hijacks” internet browser settings (browser helper objects) such as Home Page and Provided Search Engine in order to change affected browser home pages to uslc.search-help.net and redirect victims to uslc.search-help.net and/or related websites upon performing an internet search or typing URLs into the browser’s address bar.

If your internet browser settings have changed to accommodate uslc.search-help.net without your consent you are most likely infected with malware and following proper removal steps to detect and remove any infection from your computer causing these issues should be orchestrated immediately.

If issues concerning uslc.search-help.net malware are not removed from your computer system you are at risk of being a victim of cyber crime involving credit theft, identity theft, and other serious criminal activity. An infection of this magnitude may have bundled with third party malware, viruses, and/or Trojans and is capable of leaving a backdoor open for more serious infections.

Why is my Home Page Uslc.search-help.net?

If your browser’s home page has changed to uslc.search-help.net or other websites without your consent you are most likely infected with malware, viruses, and/or Trojans. uslc.search-help.net and third party malware can hijack internet settings causing home pages to direct to uslc.search-help.net upon start up. This is often the first sign of a computer infection or exploit.

 

This infection may have been contracted from visiting a malicious site hosting malware, drive by download sites, and other cyber criminal phishing techniques such as spam mail and remote access involving rogue software.

Why are internet searches and URLs redirecting to Uslc.search-help.net?

If your internet browser’s provided search engine has changed to uslc.search-help.net (Paetec) or other search engines without your consent you are most likely infected with malware, viruses, and/or Trojans. Uslc.search-help.net hijacks internet settings causing internet searches and URLs typed into the browser address bar to redirect to uslc.search-help.net and other malicious websites. Please note, the search results from USLC Search Help Redirection Virus are not accurate and may contain malicious links or links designed to promote click troughs. In the screenshot below searching the term “botcrawl” resulted in a plethora of “sponsored” links before our website botcrawl.com eventually appeared in SERPs.

 

This infection may have been contracted from visiting a malicious site hosting malware, drive by download sites, and other cyber criminal phishing techniques such as spam mail and remote access involving rogue software.

Choosing to OPT out (never recommended)

The uslc.search-help.net website allows users to “OPT out” of their service. Opting out of ad serving platforms and website tools is never suggested because these infections will not be removed and will install a file onto the system called a cookie and when this cookie is removed, updated, etc., it will cause the same issues with uslc.search-help.net redirections, etc.

Opposed to OPTING out of USLC Search-Help services, utilize the removal instructions below to remove any malware, viruses, and/or Trojans which may have infected your system and repair your internet browser settings to default or normal.

1. Anti-Malware Software (Remove Malware)

Malwarebytes is the most recommended Antivirus – Anti-Malware software used to scan, detect, and remove malware including browser hijackers. View other Antivirus recommendations.

2. System Restore  (Troubleshoot Malware)

Perform a system restore to an automatic restore point created by Window’s each week or during system updates.

• View complete system restore instructions

3. Repair Home Page

To remove uslc.search-help.net as your Home Page follow the instructions per each browser installed on your system.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click Tools and select Options.

2. On the General tab, click Restore to Default or add you preferred URL.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Internet Options.

2. On the General tab click Restore to Default or add your preferred URL.

Google Chrome

1. Click on the Wrench or 3 bar icon next to the address bar and select Settings.

2. Under the On startup section click Set pages.

3. Click the X next to uslc.search-help.net to remove it and add your preferred home page URL.

4. Repair Provided Search Engines

Use the instructions below to remove uslc.search-help.net (etc) as your provided search engine for each internet browser installed on your system. This is what generally causes redirection uslc.search-help.net and/or associated websites. Please note, the title of the provided search engine may be titled Paetec pointing to the URL: http://uslc.search-help.net/search.php?search=%s&src=navclient

Google Chrome

1. Click the 3 bar or wrench settings icon and select Settings.

2. In the Search section select the Manage search engines… button.

3. Remove uslc.search-help.net and/or related search engines by selecting the X next to the URL upon clicking on and highlighting the website(s). If  uslc.search-help.net  is set to the default search engine, chose another search engine such as Google as your default engine by highlighting details and clicking “make default” in a transparent blue box next to the legitimate engine. This will allow you to remove the malicious uslc.search-help.net search engine.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the small search arrow or magnify glass near the search bar at the top of the internet browser.

2. Select Manage search engines…

3. Highlight uslc.search-help.net and/or related search engines and click remove. The search engine may be a default search engine or listed under “Other search engines”.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.

2. Navigate to the Search Providers list.

3. Search for uslc.search-help.net and/or related search engines and click the Remove button.