My Search Dock (Virus Removal Guide)
My Search Dock
My Search Dock adware is a potentially unwanted program that infects the users web browser for the purpose of placing advertisements. It is classified as a browser extension, and it replaces reputable ads on websites with its own. Some of the advertisements used by My Search Dock adware lead to malicious sites, resulting in a greater infection in your system. If your system is infected it is important that you begin steps for removal before more potentially unwanted programs are introduced to your system. Your system is infected if you notice tags such as “Ads by My Search Dock.” in your web browser.
My Search Dock adware was likely downloaded without your consent or knowledge. Though it could have been downloaded knowingly under the guise of a browser extension that would improve your experience, it was likely downloaded more deceptively. A popular method among malicious authors is to bundle downloads together. When downloading a program from a disreputable client, it will likely contain other potentially unwanted programs bundled with the download. My Search Dock may be included among these programs. It may have also been downloaded from a malicious program that had previously infected your system. Downloading freeware, download managers or torrent files will likely result in potentially unwanted programs infecting your system. If My Search Dock has infected your system it is important that you begin steps for removal. If you delay you will likely find your computer in an even worse state.
My Search Dock adware attaches to your primary web browser and places advertisements throughout. Web browsers that are susceptible to My Search Dock adware include, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. These advertisements are unlike the standard found in reputable web sites since My Search Dock has no issue leading you to a malicious site. In order to increase the users temptation to click an ad, My Search Dock monitors your browsing data. Though some of the advertisements posted by My Search Dock are legitimate, malicious links are used as well. Clicking one of these ads could result in more potentially unwanted programs infecting your system. If your browser is running slow and you notice ads by My Search Dock then your system has been infected.
If you notice ads by My Search Dock in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari it is recommended to remove the adware immediately and scan your computer with reputable software to locate additional threats that may have been introduced to your system by My Search Dock. Our test machine was able to locate hundreds of malicious files that were introduced to our machine alongside this adware.
Threat Details
| Name | My Search Dock, My Search Dock virus *This infection is not technically defined as a computer virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Publisher Description | N/A |
| Symptoms | Advertisements in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | C:\Program Files (x86) C:\Users\{USER}\Downloads\ C:\Users\{USER}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\ |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
How to remove My Search Dock (Virus Removal Guide)
This My Search Dock removal guide will remove My Search Dock, viruses, malware, and other threats from your computer and browser.
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Uninstall My Search Dock and unwanted programs
- Remove My Search Dock extension
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
Call Virus Removal Helpline: 1-866-521-2427
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
The first step to remove this adware is to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
The second step to remove this adware is to download and install a second opinion scanner called HitmanPro by Surfright in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Uninstall My Search Dock and unwanted programs
The third step to remove this adware is to uninstall My Search Dock and other unwanted programs in Windows Control Panel.
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section click Uninstall a program. In earlier versions of Windows this is listed as “Add and remove programs.”
3. Search for My Search Dock Supporting Application in the list and double click it.
4. Once you have uninstalled My Search Dock Supporting Application search for other unwanted programs that may be installed on your computer and uninstall them as well.
4. Remove My Search Dock extension
The fourth step to remove this adware is to remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the My Search Dock extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the My Search Dock add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the My Search Dock add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the My Search Dock extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
5. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
The fifth step to remove this adware is to download and install CCleaner by Piriform in order to delete leftover junk files, tracking cookies, registry entries, unwanted start-up tasks, and more.
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
