How to remove Kickay (Virus Removal Guide)

by Sean Doyle · Published September 27, 2017 · Updated September 11, 2022

What is Kickay?

Kickay is a malicious browser extension that utilizes unethical distribution methods to modify existing internet browser settings. Once the Kickay extension is installed it will redirect search results to kickay.com, wethma.com/?keyword=[keyword] and then to us.yahoo.com.

Kickay virus

The extension’s publisher essentially generates revenue from advertisements and sponsored search results.

The Kickay extension for Google Chrome has permission to read and change all your data on the websites you visit and change your existing search settings to kickay.com. This allows it to track your data and change your homepage, new tab page, and default search engine.

One of the biggest concerns with the extension is that is is typically advertised by questionable advertising networks on websites that also promote malware, adware, spyware, and other malicious threats. This means that if you found the Kickay extension attached to your internet browser without your consent or have been attacked by Kickay advertisements it is likely that your computer is infected with other malicious programs that should be removed immediately.

How was Kickay installed?

The Kickay extension uses aggressive and unethical full-page advertisements that lock your screen and force you to install the extension to close the window.

Kickay

It is usually promoted on various websites that are not allowed to show Google AdSense advertisements due to their prohibited content. Websites that contain streaming videos, torrents, pornography, and live streams often utilize malicious advertising networks in order to generate revenue.

The extension also has the possibility to be installed by a third-party without user consent or knowledge. If you recently downloaded and installed freeware or free content online the extension may have been installed in the background by a third-party program.

Kickay removal steps

These Kickay removal steps will help you remove Kickay extension, viruses, malware, and other threats from your browser or PC.

Step 1: Remove Kickay extension
Step 2: Remove malware with Malwarebytes Anti-malware
Step 3: Check your computer for malicious trace files with HitmanPro
Step 4: Clean up and fix system issues with CCleaner
Step 5: Manually repair browser settings (Optional)

1. Remove Kickay extension

Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.

2. Click the trashcan icon next to the Kickay extension to remove it.

Firefox

1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.

2. Click Remove next to the Kickay add-on to remove it.

Internet Explorer

1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.

2. Select the Kickay add-on with your mouse and click Remove.

Safari

1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.

2. Click the Uninstall button next to the Kickay extension to remove it.

2. Remove malware with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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Open your browser window and download Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.
Open the executable file (mb3-setup.exe) to begin installing Malwarebytes.
Select your language, click Next, then select “I accept the agreement,” click the Next button several times, and then click the Install button to install Malwarebytes. Click Finish once the install process is complete.
Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button on the Dashboard to begin scanning your computer.
Click the Quarantine Selected button once the scan is finished.
If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.

3. Check your computer for malicious trace files with HitmanPro

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Open your browser window and download HitmanPro.
Open the executable file (hitmanpro_x64.exe or hitmanpro_x32.exe) to begin installing HitmanPro.
Click the Next button, check “I accept the terms of the license agreement,” and click the Next button again.
On the Setup page select “Yes, create a copy of HitmanPro so I can regularly scan this computer (recommended)” and add your email address to the registration fields to begin the free trial.
Click Next to begin scanning your computer.
Once the Scan results are displayed click the Next button and click the Next button again on the Removal results page.

4. Clean up and fix system issues with CCleaner

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Open your browser window and download CCleaner Professional or CCleaner Free.
Open the executable file (ccsetup.exe or other) to begin installing CCleaner.
Click the Install button to begin stalling the program.
Click Run CCleaner to open the program when installation is complete.
Select the Cleaner tab and click the Analyze button.
When the Analyze process is complete click the Run Cleaner button to clean all files.
Next, select the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button to scan for issues in your registry.
When the scan is complete click the Fix selected Issues button and Fix All Selected Issues button to fix the issues.
Next, select the Tools tab and click Startup. Examine each area, search for suspicious entries, and delete any suspicious startup entries by selecting the entry and clicking the Delete button.
Next, click Browser Plugins and search each internet browser for unwanted browser add-ons and extensions. Click the extension you want to delete and click the Delete button to remove it.