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In this article we are going to try and help you remove Dnshost.me. Our instructions cover all Windows versions as well as most browsers – Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer etc.
If you have recently noticed that some of your browser settings have been altered without your permission, then you might have had Dnshost.me installed onto your PC without realizing it. Is Dnshost.me a “Virus” then? No, not really. Dnshost.me is a Browser Redirect that gets onto your Mozilla, IE or Chrome browser, changing different aspects of it, such as the regular homepage or a new default search engine and also causing sudden page redirects that are unwanted by the user. All in all, a Browser Hijacker such as this one can be quite an annoyance to have around. Therefore, we have concluded that it is important for our users to learn more about these programs in order to effectively deal with them. The following article will teach you all you need to know about Dnshost.me and other similar unwanted applications. Additionally, there is a step-by-step guide below, which has detailed instructions on how to remove the irritating piece of software so that it won’t bother you anymore. Just remember to read the rest of the article instead of rushing straight for the removal guide – the info that we will provide you with is essential and can greatly help you in any future encounters with other Hijackers.
What is their purpose?
A Browser Hijacker is essentially a software tool used to earn revenue by exploiting different aspects and techniques of the online advertising industry. Sure, many such programs might be marketed as helpful and beneficial to the user. However, if we are talking about a Hijacker, then the chances of it having any actual useful function are pretty low. Many such applications are said to improve one’s online experience while also making it more safe and secure. However, in many instances what happens is exactly the opposite – not only do Browser Hijackers often obstruct the user’s browsing, but sometimes they might even compromise the PC’s protection. This should not come as a surprise, since the main goal of all such programs is profit for their developers. Even if those nagging applications have any actual function to offer to the user, it is usually just to make them more appealing, increasing their chances of remaining on your computer for an extended period of time.
Why it is important to remove the Hijackers
We should make it clear that programs such as Dnshost.me are typically not harmful or malicious and cannot be regarded as viruses, as they are for the most part legal pieces of software. Despite the common comparison to viruses like Ransomware or Trojans, they have nothing in common. Ransomware can encrypt your files, making them inaccessible and demands ransom for them. A simple Browser Hijacker cannot do any of that. With that being said, it is still important that you understand why it is preferable if you remove the PUP (potentially unwanted program) from your PC. Apart from what we have already mentioned, here are several other potential negative traits of a Browser Hijacker:
- Some applications of this type could look through your online history and record the data for later use with marketing purposes. This is a privacy invasion and you certainly would not want to have your online activities monitored without your permission or knowledge, regardless of the reason.
- Sometimes Dnshost.me might display overstated (or false) error warning messages on your screen in order to promote some kind of PC optimization software. Oftentimes you do not actually need the marketed optimization tool and also, in many cases those tools turn out to be of low-quality or poorly programmed with little to no actual benefit to the user.
- A Browser Hijacker could make your PC run slower because of its high system resource consumption. Of course, this would all go away as soon as you uninstall the PUP, which is one more reason why you should get rid of it ASAP.
Keeping your machine safe and clean
One very important thing to remember, when dealing with Browser Hijackers, is how to keep them out of your system. Here are several useful tips that will help you do that:
- Only visit websites that you trust. Do not download anything from sites that are illegal or shady-looking, because a Hijacker is actually one of the least problematic things that you can get from such shady sources.
- Be cautious with any shady e-mail messages or hyperlinks that get sent to you. Those are some of the most common methods for distribution of unwanted software.
- Remember to use the Custom installation option when installing any new programs, especially if it’s freeware. In many cases the installer files of such programs are actually software bundles that have additional applications added to them. If you use the Quick installation, you’d probably get all the added content alongside the main program. On the other hand, using the Custom option would enable you to see what added installs there are and leave out anything that might turn out to be a Hijacker.
Dnshost.me “Virus” Removal
Many types of malware will restrict your access to their core files. It is highly recommended that you reboot your PC in safe mode before attempting to use this guide.
- To enable Safe Mode reboot you PC, then hit F8 repeatedly. When the corresponding menu opens please select Safe Mode with Networking.
WARNING! If you are using Windows 8,0 or later and/or your operating system is installed on a fast SSD drive this may fail to work. In this case click here to see how to start your PC in Safe Mode.
#1: Uninstall the malicious program from your control panel
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Enter control panel to look for any suspicious programs, which may have installed on your PC. To do that:
- Navigate to your Desktop
- Press simultaneously the Win button together with the R button (Win+R)
- In the Run window that just opened type appwiz.cpl
- Go through the list of programs and find Dnshost.me or anything else that may seem suspicious. Right-click on it and choose the uninstallation option
WARNING! Carefully read any confirmation messages that may be created in the process. Sometimes you may get offers to download more Adware applications and this can be linked to either the Yes or the No answer depending on the wording!
- Optional:
Go through the list of programs again and check online for any potentially unwanted programs. We have an article that covers this awesome free software that makes sure that your computer is free from bloatware and programs that you don’t need.
#2: Remove Dnshost.me From Chrome
Now we’ll remove the extensions that the malware has attached to your browser.
- Open your Google Chrome browser.
- Type chrome://extensions/ in the URL address bar and press Enter.
- Click on “Developer Mode” on the top right and look for the extension installed by Dnshost.me and anything that might be related to it. Copy their IDs (the string of letters), then remove them by clicking on the trash bin icon.
- Type Regedit in the Windows Start Menu and press Enter. Go in : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions and delete the entries corresponding to the suspicious IDs you recorded.
#3: Remove Dnshost.me From Firefox
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Type “about:support” in the URL address bar and press Enter.
- Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button on the right and confirm.
#4 Remove Dnshost.me From Internet Explorer
- Open your Internet Explorer internet browser.
- Click on the Gear icon on the up right, then on manage add-ons.
- Go through the list disable any suspicious extensions.
#5 Remove any leftover parasitic processes
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From the task manager:
- Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open the Task manager, then click on the Processes
- Go through the list of processes and look for unknown or otherwise suspicious entries.
- If you see anything suspicious right click on the process and shoes Open File Location, then terminate the process and delete any files you find in the directory.
WARNING! If the directory you open from this menu has no files inside of it it’s probably because the malware has hidden them. You need to reveal hidden files and folders in order to be able to see them. Click here if you don’t know how to do that.
From the start menu:
- Press simultaneously the Win button together with the R button (Win+R)
- In the Run window that just opened type msconfig
- Click on the Startup tab.
This menu controls which programs are loaded when windows starts after a reboot. Disable anything that seems suspicious. Optionally you can also disable any program that you don’t need and also has a high impact on your startup time.
Feel free to write to us in the comment section with any questions that you may have. Also if we have been helpful to you please share this article to help us reach more people like you.