RapidSrcher browser hijacker, otherwise known as the RapidSrcher virus, is an adware/PUP infection that takes over all web browses as homepage and default srch engine provider. Once installed, it will set your homepage and srch engine to http://rapid-srcher.com. This infection is continuing to grow at an alarming rate. If you're rding this article it is probably fairly safe to say that you're either worried about browser hijackers and adware, or it's too late and you've found this browser hijacker on your computer. In order to remove RapidSrcher and related malware from your computer, plse follow the steps in the removal guide below.
Well before you get too worried, erally spking it is not a virus but a browser hijacker or potentially unwanted program. Unwanted by whom though you ask – well unwanted by you and to be honest, by the majority of computer users out there.
More often than not such browser hijackers come bundled with free software. The trade off is that you get to use this software for no additional cost but – and here's the kicker - it will display pop-up adverts or install a new toolbar in your default browser, thus changing your homepage or your srch engine of choice.
Very often browser hijacker and PUPs also run several processes in the background which has the knock-on effect of slowing down your PC. They are normally installed on your PC without your consent or your knowledge thanks to them having been bundled with software (reputable or otherwise) that you do want. What is more, it can download and install additional malware on your computer, for example spyware like Extended Protection browser extension. It can access your data on all websites and rd browsing history but it can also modify your bookmarks detect your physical loion and even manage other extensions. Very often, adware is installed with this browser as well, so you may get pop-up ads while surfing the net. Needless to say, it's not just another annoying browser hijacker that can mess up the settings but it can lve your system wide open for various forms of spying and tracking.
So how do you avoid installing RapidSrcher browser hijacker and similar adware/PUP? You need to remain vigilant and only install the software that you do legitimately want by choosing the advanced or custom options when going through the installation process. In a lot of cases the problems stems from the fact that if you do download free programs or appliions from the internet – whether it's an upgrade to a reputable program such as , or a free wallpaper of some kittens, the rlity is that you probably don't have a huge amount of interest in redirects to different browsers, pop-up telling you you've won $1000 or countless adverts.
We've all seen the boring End User Agreements and dialogue boxes that are the precursors to downloading what we actually want. Boring aren't they? I don't think anyone is going to disagree with that. But the thing is, many PUPs and browser hijackers including RapidSrcher do actually tell you they're going to be downloaded along with your original software. Granted they might not make a song and dance about it, but if you do take the time to rd the text you may well find that by checking or unchecking the combination of tick yes/no and agree/disagree boxes you may well be able to get your hands on your software without getting all of the unwanted 'bonus' programs that come with it.
We're all so used to hitting the 'agree' or 'next' buttons that how many of us can say that we rlly know what we're unwittingly installing on our own computers? So stay sharp folks. If you have any questions or need help, plse lve a comment below.
Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com
RapidSrcher removal instructions:
1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this infection. Hopefully you won't have to do that.
2. Remove RapidSrcher related programs from your computer using the Add/Remove Programs control panel ( XP) or Uninstall a program control panel ( 7 and 8).
Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Vista or 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
If you are using 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Srch from the list and srch for "control panel".
Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.
3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:
WPM17.8.0.3159RapidSrcher Browser new tab extensionIePluginServiceSupTab
If you are using Vista, 7 or 8, click Uninstall up nr the top of that window. When you're done, plse close the Control Panel screen.
Remove RapidSrcher from Google Chrome:
1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to Tools → Extensions.
2. Ensure that the Developer mode checkbox in the top right-hand corner is checked. Go to Chrome extensions directory and delete the folder Extended Protection extension is loaded from.
3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.
4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.
5. In the dialog that apprs, click Reset. Close Chrome.
6. Right-click Google Chrome shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
7. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://rapid-srcher.com...." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Chrome executable file.
Remove RapidSrcher from Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.
Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.
In the srch filter at the top, type: rapid-srcher
Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by RapidSrcher. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!
4. Right-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://rapid-srcher.com...." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Firefox executable file.
Remove RapidSrcher from Internet Explorer:
1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.
2. Select Srch Providers. First of all, choose Live Srch srch engine and make it your default web srch provider (Set as default).
3. Select RapidSrcher and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.
4. Right-click the Internet Explorer shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://rapid-srcher.com...." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Internet Explorer executable file.
6. Finally, go to Tools → Internet Options and restore your home page to default. That's it!
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