How to Remove Cleanserp.net Browser Hijacker
Cleanserp.net is a browser hijacker that is part of a large group of adware family. This browser hijacker is bundled with suspicious free software that you may obtain from internet, especially when visiting questionable download sites. Once Cleanserp.net and associated adware is installed on the PC, it directly set the homepage and search engine to said web address. As an official home page of Speed Tester BRS, this hijacker do not come alone. Aside from the mentioned program, toolbars and new tab arrives with it too. As you can notice, Cleanserp.net and company occupy almost every function on the browser. This was done on purpose. Author of this adware mean to convince user to use its search engine and other features habitually. In return, Cleanserp.net generates revenue through advertisements and promotion that it delivers. Although, some valid programs also changes homepage and search settings on the computer, it is mostly with mandate of the computer user. In the case of Cleanserp.net, it alters these vital settings on the browser without seeking for user’s approval. Modifications are done abruptly during the initialization of the adware or downloaded freeware. Sadly, some free software does not disclose these proceedings. Due to these intrusive changes, most people suppose it as some kind of virus infection.
Cleanserp.net is a browser redirect malware that modifies configuration settings on your default Internet browser. This malware can manipulate links produces on search engine result and redirect it to Cleanserp.net. Moreover, it may start your browser and launch it on a modified default page Cleanserp.net. It can also install itself as a browser helper object (BHO) to monitor web browsing activities. Cleanserp.net may enter the computer without user’s knowledge through another malware infection. It may also arrive as bundled to freeware and shareware. The homepage itself is not considered harmful, particularly if it is utilizing known search provider. However, if ever it is resolving to unknown search engine other than Google, Bing, or Yahoo, there is a possibility that it can cause some harm on the computer. Redirecting to dubious search portal also endangers your online privacy. With given annoyances and troubles, some user believes that Cleanserp.net is a virus. Technically, it is under the category of Adware or Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). Less hazardous and does not spread on its own. It needs user’s intervention to be able to install components on the browser. You may not see it coming because it conceals itself to another software installation. Typically, the infection starts with a malware that you may have obtained from malicious program. Malicious sites implementing drive-by-download method can also cause Cleanserp.net to enter the browser. Once it initiates, it will begin to release a copy of itself on various locations. Then it also makes some tweaks on the registry, which will allow the redirect to run every time user opens Internet browser. Through these changes, the threat can now have full control over the infected browser.
How does Cleanserp.net act?
As it is typical for browser hijackers, Cleanserp.net also firstly modifies the settings of your browser by setting new home page and search supplier. What is more, you are shown some irritating ads which encourage you to click on it, so then you will be rerouted to even more distrustful websites. You additionally must know that the developers of such advertisements are third parties which follow your browsing sessions. They are interested in what you visit when you are on internet and what queries you enter mostly. On the grounds of the data, you are offered to pay attention to the ads, fitting to your searching habits. If in the latter weeks you have noticed some pop-up ads, there is a chance that you are infected with a hazardous browser hijacker. If it is so, remove Cleanserp.net immediately, in order to avoid more system issues.
How to Remove Cleanserp.net Browser Hijacker
Internet Explorer
- Simultaneously tap Win+R to launch RUN and then enter regedit.exe.
- In Registry Editor move to HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}.
- Open these values (double-click to open) and overwrite the hijacker’s URL in them:
- FaviconURL
- FaviconURLFallback
- TopResultURL
- URL
- Navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
- Double-click the value named Start Page and overwrite the hijacker’s URL.
Mozilla Firefox
- Simultaneously tap keys Win+E to launch Windows Explorer.
- Enter %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the bar at the top.
- Open the folder representing your Firefox profile and then open the file called prefs.js.
- Find the URL representing the hijacker and overwrite it. Save the file.
Google Chrome
- Simultaneously tap keys Win+E to launch Windows Explorer.
- Enter %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ into the bar at the top.
- Open the folder representing your Chrome profile. If profiles do not exist, go to Default.
- Delete the files called Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data (or open and overwrite the hijacker’s URL).
If Cleanserp.net occupies start-up page, home page, or new tab of your browser, there is a reason to believe that adware may have infected the computer. This invasion can be traced to installation of shareware, freeware, or third-party application. You may not know it, but Cleanserp.net is packed to free programs that are hosted on various web sites. Bundling it to download manager, free games, tools, and fake software update is another trick to deploy Cleanserp.net quickly.
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