Remove Proto-search.com: Stop Unwanted Redirects

Proto-search.com: Simple Delete Process

Proto-search.com is a web domain that users might notice as their homepage for their web browsers. Unexpected modifications to the startpage, new tab address, and the search engine typically indicate that a kind of potentially unwanted program, browser hijacker, is running inside your computer. While this PUP can be found on different operating systems, Windows users are the ones who mostly complained about the threat. Right after the intrusion of this hijacker, which usually occurs behind users’ back, as an illusive technique named bundling is used, its affects on the browser can be seen.

Proto-search.com Manipulates Search Results:

The moment Proto-search.com hijacker enters the Windows computers; it will instantly alter the homepage of the web browser to itself. Each time people affected by this infection try to employ the customized search engine, they will perceive that all their searches are rerouted to genuine ones such as Yahoo, Google, Bing or other. No matter which search engine is utilized, victims most often will see an extensive amount of ads and sponsored links right at the top of the search results.

Proto-search.com ads are displayed in a way that rookie users would not notice the trickery and click on an affiliated link instead of the organic one that can only be found after scrolling down to the bottom of the page. This way, the creators of this hijacker ensure that maximum profits are collected due to pay-per-click monetization techniques. Nevertheless, users who have their browsers compromised will suffer from intrusive ads no matter if they want to see them or not. Besides, some ads could potentially be hazardous and redirect victims to scam or similar deceptive portals.

Another precarious feature of Proto-search.com is data tracking. These PUPs almost always use cookies, web beacons, scripts etc. to gather data about users who have the hijacker installed. While at most of the times, only non-personal information is gathered, some hijackers collect personal data as well, which includes your search queries, IP address, and much more. The gathered details are then shared with or sold to third-parties and can be utilized for generating personalized advertisements, making deceptive transactions or online purchases and so on. And hence, presence of this hijacker in your work-station may lead to severe privacy issues, identity theft and huge financial loss. So, a quick Proto-search.com removal is strongly required.

Ways To Spread Proto-search.com:

Potentially unwanted programs are most often distributed via software bundles, where several apps are installed at once. This usually takes place when users download a free program from third-party site and then install it using the Quick or Recommended mode set. These configuration settings generally don’t disclose the components added to the software package and therefore, by choosing these options, you allow all the compiled apps get installed along with the carrier software.

Thus, always choose reliable download sources and avoid using the Peer-to-peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders. Also, opt for Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick ones, and never rush the installation process by pressing “Next” several times. Besides, installing a powerful anti-malware tool will inform you about PUPs before they manage to access your computer. In case your device is already contaminated with this unwanted threat, you must remove Proto-search.com from the machine without wasting any time.

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 Proto-search.com:

Remove the related items of Proto-search.com 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 Proto-search.com 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 (Proto-search.com) 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 Proto-search.com 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 Proto-search.com 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 Proto-search.com 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 Proto-search.com 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 Proto-search.com (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.