Remove Key word search Hijacker From PC

Key word search: Manual Delete Process

Key word search is a browser hijacking application and its sole purpose is to turn the web browsers into a platform for its advertisements. It generates revenue for its creators on the Pay-Per-Click and Pay-Per-View basis which is why it’s so persistent with its ads. As soon as it gets installed in the Windows PCs, it starts functioning as an ad-generating and page-rerouting tool and floods the screen with numerous pesky ads, pop-ups, sponsored links and blinking banners. The app also makes some modifications to the main browser and enforces affiliated homepage URLs, search engine, and new custom toolbars.

Key word search: Depth View

At first, changes made by Key word search may seem like they have been brought in with the intention of improving users’ online experience by some means. Nonetheless, soon after people start using their browsing apps with new settings, they may start experiencing issues like aggressive ads, automatic page redirects, browser unresponsiveness, slowness and sudden crashes. This can extensively bother you and actually diminish the quality of your online experience. The more irritating fact is that you may not be able to uninstall the unwanted settings and stop or remove the non-stop flow of ads no matter what you try.

Unless you perform Key word search removal, resetting the browser, reinstalling it and even altering to another one may not help you get rid of these troubles. Finding the correct hijacker-related components, however, may oftentimes be not easy, especially if you have not dealt with such application before. That’s why we often suggest in case you have this or another hijacker on your computer that you use the help of a professional removal tool or a manual termination guide like the ones posted down below.

Most ad-generating programs like Key word search are often linked to some aggressive online advertising campaigns, which tend to spawn random ads, offers and links on the compromised PCs’ screen. Clicking on such random commercials may sometimes be cooperative and may land you on good deals, discounts and the exact type of items that you have been searching for. Nevertheless, the likelihood of getting rerouted to some dubious web pages, where several hazardous cyber threats (such as viruses, ransomware, Trojans, spyware, etc.) may hide, is also there. So, avoid interacting with Key word search ads and remove the intruder ASAP.

The Main Methods Of PUP Distribution:

The technique these potentially unwanted programs commonly utilize for system intrusion is called “bundling.” It refers to the stealthy installation of third-party programs together with some freeware or shareware which the user intended to install at first. This occurs when people choose the Quick or Recommended installation settings as these modes don’t reveal the components added to the software package.

The potentially unwanted apps are generally hidden in “Advanced” and “Custom” options. Thus, we advise you to be very careful when installing free software and not to skip any steps without checking them first. Moreover, you should avoid download managers and all other installers that typically spread bundled files. Download software using official and verified sites only, and keep a dependable anti-malware tool installed on your PC that will notify you if a malicious app is about to enter the machine. At present, remove Key word search from the work-station to prevent it from causing more notorious issues.

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 Key word search :

Remove the related items of Key word search 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 Key word search 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 (Key word search ) 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 Key word search 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 Key word search 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 Key word search 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 Key word search 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 Key word search (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.