How To Remove IncognitoSearchNet Hijacker

Easy Steps To Delete IncognitoSearchNet

IncognitoSearchNet is a browser hijacker application that has been specially designed by a group of potent cyber criminals for promotional and commercial purposes. Once this nasty hijacker successfully infiltrates the Windows computers, it makes alterations to default browser’s settings to promote incognitosearchnet.com- a fraudulent search engine. It also includes data tracking abilities and constantly monitors users’ actions whatever they do online. This potentially unwanted program collects important information regarding users’ browsing habits which is then utilized for the advertisement campaign. And thus, you are bombarded with a number of intrusive ads and pop-ups throughout the day which interrupts your web sessions badly.

Depth Analysis of IncognitoSearchNet:

IncognitoSearchNet forces people to use incognitosearchnet.com as default search engine which only provides manipulated results, including sponsored links right at the top. It sets this notorious URL as the new search tool home page and new tab addresses replacing the previous one and acquires full control over the entire browser. It also installs several browser helper objects (BHOs) on the browser to prevent the settings from being restored. This perilous hijacker can also steal your personal and confidential information relating to credit card and banking details and expose them to vicious criminals for evil purposes.

IncognitoSearchNet displays eye-catching deals, offers, banners, coupons, discounts etc. and tries to make victims click on them in order to earn profits via cost-per-click scheme. However, clicking on these adverts can be very risky for your computer’s security as they might contain spiteful links and redirect you to potentially dangerous web pages that are fully occupied with malevolent objects. At some sites, users are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and then trapped into installing dubious software.

IncognitoSearchNet is able to deactivate all the running security measures and Windows Firewalls and make the device vulnerable or more nasty parasites, it allows other online threats such as rootkits, Trojans, worms, spyware and even deadly ransomware to get into your PC as well and cause more damages inside. In order to get automatically activated with each Windows startup and to remain persistent, it makes spiteful entries in registry editors and modifies its default settings. This notorious PUP may trigger several other hazardous issues onto the compromised devices such as application malfunctioning, boot errors, hard drive crash, software failure and so on. And therefore, a quick IncognitoSearchNet removal is highly required.

Threat Details

Name: IncognitoSearchNet   

Type: Browser hijacker, Redirect virus, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Alterations to default browser’s settings, Redirects users to affiliated web pages, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online profits for the creators. 

Symptoms: Home page, search engine, new tab settings, constant appearance of intrusive adverts, fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to search the Internet using fake search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

Penetration of IncognitoSearchNet:

At some occasions, people can download browser hijackers by clicking malicious ads that are designed to run certain scripts. However, most of the times, they are distributed through “bundling” technique along with regular software. This generally takes place when people download freeware from third-party domains like cnet.com, download.com, softonic.com etc. and then install it using the “Quick” or “Recommended” mode sets.  These options hide the objects that are added to the package which manage to settle down on the machine during the installation of main application.

How To Prevent Hijacker Intrusion?

It is very important to research any product or software before downloading and installing them. Choose only official sites and direct links to download programs and avoid using third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial sites etc. Furthermore, install any software using “Custom” or “Advanced” configuration settings where you can opt out all the components that give a concerning look and select only the one that you want. In case your machine is already infected with this PUP, you must remove IncognitoSearchNet from the computer as early as possible.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove IncognitoSearchNet:

Remove the related items of IncognitoSearchNet using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing IncognitoSearchNet issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (IncognitoSearchNet) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to IncognitoSearchNet removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to IncognitoSearchNet still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove IncognitoSearchNet plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in IncognitoSearchNet removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete IncognitoSearchNet (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.