How to remove the V9 virus – Search.v9.com redirect removal (Uninstall guide)
What is the Search V9 redirect virus (hijacker)?
The Search V9 virus, also referred to as the V9 or V9 Portal virus, are terms for potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker similar to the Qvo6 redirect virus we discovered. The V9 virus changes internet browser settings without permission of the computer user, including the home page, default search engine, and browser shortcut causing unwanted browser start-ups and redirects to v9.com, search.v9.com, and other websites. V9 malware affects Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The V9 hijacker installs to computer systems and internet browsers without consent as a BHO, add-on, and extension, as well as alongside or bundled inside third-party items.
V9 malware may also display unwanted advertisements and associate with privacy invading malware such as spyware used to gather and track user activity and sensitive information. Victims of the V9 redirect have reported excessive email spam relative to recent browser activity and searches, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers.
Though not confirmed, search results displayed on v9.com, including search.v9.com may include suspicious links that promote malware and may initiate the installment of malicious payloads. Some users claim that v9.com search results are irrelevant and designed to trick unsuspecting computer users to visit sponsored websites in order to maintain a revenue stream for v9.com and third-parties by utilizing the confusion and/or misfortunes of internet users.
How does the V9 redirect virus infect a computer?
The V9 addon and extension may have been introduced to a computer system via third-party software and file downloads, especially freeware, shareware, codecs, and torrents, or software downloaded from unethical websites such as download.com.
In order to stop redirecting to v9.com and other websites it may be necessary to remove the V9 add-on and extension as well as third-party browser attachments and software (and vice-versa).
How to remove V9 Search malware
How to remove V9 Search malware- Uninstall V9 Search – Use the correct procedures to uninstall V9 Search software (2 options)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked V9 Search browser settings and automatically uninstall V9 software
- Manually remove v9.com homepage
- Manually remove v9.com search engine
1. Uninstall V9 Search (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 V9 Search, V9 Toolbar, and other suspicious third party programs. Uninstall V9 and 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 V9 Search if it’s difficult to remove. 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 V9 Search and other unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall V9 Search and other 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 V9 Search 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://v9.com, http://search.v9.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 “V9” in the title or filename.
4. Manually remove V9.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 v9.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 v9.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 v9.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
5. Manually remove V9.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 v9.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 v9.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 v9.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://v9.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.v9.com by clicking the X next to it.
