How to remove SysKey from computer

Easy process to delete SysKey

SysKey operates as a browser hijacker and infect all installed browsers in order to promote an address of dubious search engines (fxsmash.xyz). These changes can be done by modifying certain browser settings. Users download and install this type of apps without giving much attention and that’s why they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Also, it can gather data relating to users browsing session.

On the description page, it is advertised as a tool that promises to enhance browsing experience by providing best and accurate results. However, once intrudes, it change the settings of browser and set fake search engine to the addresses such as default search engine, homepage and new tab page. Once opened, users are redirected to the said domain when they enter search queries into URL bar.

Depending on the user’s geo-locations, this address redirects users either to search.yahoo.com. It provides results generated by Yahoo or other questionable or legitimate search engines. It is also common that hijackers do not allow users to remove addresses that they promote from browsers setting as long as they are installed. It can only be possible when SysKey is completely removed from the browser or computer.

Furthermore, browser hijackers like SysKey have data tracking ability. They can track user’s online activities and collect data related to it such as IP address, entered search queries and other similar browsing related information and shared to potent cyber criminals who misuse details to generate illicit revenue. To sum up, apps like this can create problems with browsing safety, privacy, and even lead victim to identity theft etc.

Distribution methods of SysKey:

Potentially unwanted programs mostly distributed via using intrusive advertisements or by including them in download or installation setups of other programs. This distribution method is known as bundling. Usually, information regarding additional downloads can be found in custom, advanced or other settings of setups. Those settings can be used to dismiss offers to download or install unwanted apps.

However, not all people change and check those available settings when they download and install programs and thus in such cases they download and install included apps as well. Sometimes, users download and install PUAs by clicking on dubious ads that are designed to execute certain scripts. So, users are advised to be very cautious when downloading and installing software and clicking on any adverts.

Remove SysKey

Manual malware removal instructions might be lengthy and complicated process and also requires advanced computer knowledge to perform virus removal process. Instead this, users are recommended to use some reliable antivirus removal tool that has the ability to remove SysKey and all installed harmful browser hijacker virus completely and safely from the system.

Short summary

Name: SysKey

Type: Browser hijacker, PUP, Search hijacker  

Supposed Functionality: improved browsing experience

Symptoms: modifying web browser settings like default search engine, homepage and new tab URL. After that users are encouraged to visit hijacker’s websites in order to search any query by using their search engines.

Distribution Methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, malicious ads, torrent file downloads and so on.

Damage: slow down computer performance, browser tracking – privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove SysKey automatically from the system or go through the given below step by step removal instructions.

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 SysKey:

Remove the related items of SysKey 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 SysKey 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 (SysKey) 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 SysKey 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 SysKey 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 SysKey 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 SysKey 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 SysKey (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.