How To Remove The Worldsearchfactory.com Redirection Virus And Browser Hijacker
What is the Worldsearchfactory.com redirection virus?
The worldsearchfactory.com redirection virus (World Search Factory virus) is categorized as malware, particularly a browser hijacker because worldsearchfactory.com hijacks internet browser settings, such as the Provided Search Engine in turn causing internet searches and URLs typed into the address bar to redirect to worldsearchfactory.com and/or similar websites disguised as a usable search engine. The worldsearchfactory.com virus also affects Home Page settings causing infected internet browsers to display worldsearchfactory.com as their home page, including upon booting the internet browser. If your internet browser has been affected by the worldsearchfactory.com redirection virus, use the removal instructions provided in this article to protect your privacy and system functionality.
The worldsearchfactory.com is disguised as a search engine, and though it does provide realistic links, it also provides malicious third party and sponsored links. These links can cause a further infection to a computer system or mobile device. Also note, the search results provided by worldsearchfactory.com are not realistic. When using worldsearchfactory.com to search for the term “botcrawl” a large quantity of potentially harmful and off topic results were displayed.
If the issues causing redirections to worldsearchfactory.com (and any other website posed as a search engine without your consent) are not resolved, you and your computer you are at risk of being a victim of cyber crime involving credit theft, extortion, identity theft, and other forms of severe criminal activity.
Why is my Home Page Worldsearchfactory.com?
If your browser’s home page has changed to worldsearchfactory.com without your consent you are most likely infected with malware, viruses, and/or Trojans. Worldsearchfactory.com and third party malware hijack internet settings changing home pages to worldsearchfactory.com, which also causes infected browsers to show worldsearchfactory.com as their start up page.
Why are searches and URLs redirecting to Worldsearchfactory.com?
If your internet browser’s provided search engine has changed or browser helper objects (add-ons, extensions, Toolbars) have been added to your browser without your consent, in turn causing your browser to redirect to worldsearchfactory.com, you are (again) most likely infected with third party malware, viruses, Trojans, and/or a corrupt tracking cookie or other file has been placed on your browser and system causing searches and URLs typed into the address bar to redirect to worldsearchfactory.com.
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, corrupt links, and remote access involving rogue software. Also note, the cause of the redirection may have been voluntary.
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. Once removed, proceed to repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines.
2. System Restore (Troubleshoot Malware)
Perform a system restore to an automatic restore point created by Window’s each week or during system updates. Once complete, proceed to repair your Home Page and Provided Search Engines.
3. Uninstall Software
Check your computer system for any suspicious and unwanted applications that may have installed on your computer, causing these redirections, as well as allowing browser helper objects to remain on an infected browser.
Afterwards check to see if browser helper objects have been added to your browser by following the directions directly below.
1. Navigate to Window’s Start Menu and select the Control Panel
2. Click Uninstall a program of Add and remove programs
3. In the list of installed programs find any unwanted applications and uninstall them by double clicking them.
4. Remove Browser Helper Objects
In many cases the involuntary and voluntary installment of the an add-on, extension, or toolbar is what affected internet browser settings. These BHOs may have been video codecs, freeware, shareware, or any third party application that may have bundled with software, and been voluntarily downloaded (without knowledge of affects).
Use the directions below to search for suspicious, unwanted, and potentially harmful add-ons, extensions, and toolbars. Afterwards, check your Home Page and Provided Search Engine settings.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the wrench or 3 bar icon at the top right of your Chrome browser
2. Select Tools and click Extensions
3. From the list of installed Extensions search for any add-ons affecting your system and click the trash can next to their description to remove them.
4. Reboot Google Chrome browser.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Select Tools on the browser menu and select Add-ons from the dropdown menu. If the menu bar is hidden, click on the orange “Firefox” button at the top left of your browser and select “Add-ons” from the menu.
2. If not already there, click on “Extensions” located on the left margin of the page.
3. Detect any suspicious add-ons in the list of extensions and click the “Remove” button located next to it.
4. Restart Firefox.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. On the top menu click Tools and select Manage add-ons
2. Under the Toolbars and Extensions tab look for any suspicious extensions, disable and remove them.
Apple Safari
1. At the top of your browser select Safari from the menu bar.
2. Select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on the Extensions tab.
4. Search for any suspicious add-on, highlight it and click the Uninstall button.
5. Repair Home Page
To remove worldsearchfactory.com 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 worldsearchfactory.com to remove it and add your preferred home page URL.
6. Repair Provided Search Engines
Use the instructions below to remove worldsearchfactory.com as your provided search engine (if necessary) per each internet browser installed on your system. This is what usually stops your internet browser from redirect to worldsearchfactory.com.
Before your proceed make sure you have checked for, uninstalled, and/or removed any browser helper objects that may have infected your system.
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 worldsearchfactory.com by selecting the X. If worldsearchfactory.com is set as the default search engine, chose another search engine such as Google as your default engine by highlighting it’s details and clicking “make default” in the transparent blue box that appears. This will allow you to remove worldsearchfactory.com as your default 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 worldsearchfactory.com 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 worldsearchfactory.com and click the Remove button.
7. Clear Cache And Cookies
If you visited worldsearchfactory.com and fear you are being traced, tracked, etc. it is recommended to delete your browser data such as your cache and cookie files. Sometimes malicious websites load cookie files (etc) onto an unsuspecting computer system allowing them to collect and track information such as browser activity. You can remove your browser cache and cookie files in your browser’s preference or settings options.
8. Check DNS IP Address
In some scenarios concerning worldsearchfactory.com DNS IP addresses have been changed. Though this is not likely, if your DNS IP address has changed, it could be a sign of potentially fatal malware detailed as DNS Changer malware. Then again, a malware (adware, spyware) may have changed DNS IP addresses in order to allow their advertising platform to direct internet users to relative advertisements and websites, or advertisements and websites with hidden, malicious links.
If you suspect your DNS IP address has been changed without consent, you may be a victim of DNS changer malware. Utilize the previous articles below to remove any malware affecting your DNS settings.
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