The Conf Search search hijacker is an example of an average unwanted program; such programs are spread massively nowadays. In this article you will see the complete guidelines of “Conf Search” hijacker elimination in different tactics: using anti-malware software and hand-operated removal process.
Conf Search – What is it?
“Conf Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some special info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser much more secure, allow downloading of any video, et cetera.
Nevertheless, the “Conf Search” plugin is fairly pointless because all such functions are currently embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However in some cases even qualified users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is distributed together with free apps.
Here is a summary for the Conf Search hijacker
Site | Conf-search.com |
Hosting | AS12876 ONLINE S.A.S. France, Paris |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 51.158.20.43 |
Hosting | AS12876 ONLINE S.A.S. Paris, France |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Loadstart, Lovely, Cactus |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is Conf Search hijacker?
Besides its impracticality, Conf Search hijacker is also pretty hazardous for web browser use. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Conf-search.com, and additionally alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).
Apart from viewable changes done by Conf Search hijacker, you might notice that some of your search queries are redirecting to the dubious sites, filled with links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can contain web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting boosts if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.
But all these actions are far more frustrating than truly damaging. The most important risk, particularly for people who have a huge amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in data gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are simply collected by Conf Search hijacker.
How to remove Conf Search search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are typically quite very easy to delete. For the most part, they have a separate app that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular distribution method of Conf Search hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. However, if you got Conf Search in the package with a free applications, your system might be contaminated with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware tools to deal with the Conf Search PUA and all other malware.
You can use Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of recognizing and removing a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that may exist on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such situations, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and erase all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.
To choose the action for each detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.
Reset browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing Conf Search hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove Conf Search?
Name: Conf Search
Description: Conf Search - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove Conf Search?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Conf Search (Conf-search.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender