This afternoon I noticed a suspicious extension on Chrome, titled "Social2Search". I got worried after reading this name and tried to delete the extension. Unfortunately, the app would not allow me to delete it from Chrome, as it came from my PC. I checked my Programs list, found a suspicious program and uninstalled it. The extension still was there. I found many ads by Social2Search when I' viewing any web pages. It's so annoying. I have tried numerous times deleting and re-installing Chrome and restarting my PC, but nothing has worked. If the problem persists, I will have to quit using Chrome.
What Is Social2Search?
Social2Search can be regarded as a variant of the adware Price Minus. Similar to the other one, Social2Search is also designed by its authors to make profits by promoting the web traffic and sales of products of unknown parties. There are several common steps that an adware application often uses to make effect on the target computer. First of all, as a potentially unwanted program, Social2Search will disguise as a common browser extension so that both the computer users and the security software will regard it as a normal program instead a risky computer item. To do that, it often attaches to some freeware and shareware. Secondly, since the final purposes of such adware programs are to lead people either to download software products or visit some web sites, Social2Search displays some attractive ads pop-ups so that innocent computer users can be attracted and follow its requirements. To display suitable adverts, Social2Search has to access your browsing data like cookies, browsing histories, bookmarks and some others to find out your interests and habits. But this in some degree has also indicated that Social2Search adware is able to access your sensitive data on the affected computer. Thus other privacy on the infected computer is not safe neither. For these reasons, you should remove Social2Search virus without any delay.
INFECTED SYMPTOMS:
Social2Search downloads and installs rogue software without your permission.Social2Search causes your computer slowing down and even crashing constantly.
Social2Search locks your PC and make it unusable to ransom your money.
Social2Search drops malicious files onto your PC to completely compromise it.
Social2Search may spread via Trojans.
How to prevent Social2Search from your computer?
Generally speaking, it gets on your PC via your downloading freeware off the unreliable websites and installing it with the default installation. It hides itself inside the main software to bypass your attention. Besides, it can also be spread by:Browsing on the malicious websites, porno related expecially.
Opening the infected email attachments.
Clicking on the malicious links
Tips: In case you have no previous experience in removing viruses like Social2Search we recommend you to do it automatically - it's much easier and less time consuming. Simply download reliable anti-malware application, install it and then run a full scan of all files stored on your hard drive. It should automatically detect and remove the virus just in a few moments. If your computer is infected with some other similar viruses, it will detect and eliminate them as well.
Manual Removal Guide of Social2Search Adware (For Computer Literate)
There is a removal guide of Social2Search Adware provided here; however, expertise is required during the process of removal, please make sure you are capable to do it by yourself.Step 1: Find Ctrl, Alt, and Delete these 3 keys and then press them together to open task manager to end the process related to this Social2Search Adware, the name of the process of it is random.
Step 2: Try to find Folder Options in Control Panel, select the View tab, and then tick Show hidden files and folders and non-tick Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.
Step 3: Click on Start button at the right lower corner, then click on Control Panel
Then you will come to the Control Panel windows, click on Add and Remove Programs
Then try to find the program which relates to Social2Search Adware, highlight it and choose Remove, the program's name is random.
Step4: Change your homepage in your browser (Take Internet Explorer as an Example)
From the Navigation toolbar in Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options.
Then type the URL you want into the Home page box and then click OK
Gentle Tip
Manually removing the adware is a complicated and risky task which should only be attempted by the advanced computer users. If you are a newbie, you can consider installing and running an automatic removal Tool to remove Social2Search within clicks. A powerful removal tool can not only completely clean up the existing threats from your computer, but also protect your system from any future malware so that you can surf the Internet safely.Post Your Ad Here
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