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In this article we are going to try and help you remove Search.queryrouter.com “Virus”. Our instructions cover all Windows versions as well as most browsers – Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer etc.
I see dozens of popups and I am constantly redirected to different web pages every time I open up my browser, what should I do? If this is the question that brought you here, then you are most probably disturbed by a new browser hijacker named Search.queryrouter.com. This program is capable of replacing your homepage and search engine with some unfamiliar third-party ones, and display tens of ads, popping boxes, promotional messages and sponsored notification all over your favorite Chrome, Firefox or another browser you may be using by default. On this guide, we are going to talk about how to deal with that intrusive invasion in your personal browsing settings and how to effectively remove Search.queryrouter.com and all of its annoying pop-ups once and for all. We will also cover some of the specifics of this program, its danger level, and distribution channels. At the end of the page, you will find a removal guide, which contains very detailed instructions on how to uninstall the browser components that have replaced your settings and how to fully remove the annoying browser hijacker from your system. Do read the information that follows carefully, and let us know in case you need some assistance.
What is Search.queryrouter.com and how may it affect your computer?
First, we will start by giving you a bit more details about the nature of the browser hijackers and their typical behavior. Generally, a browser hijacker is a type of software that is designed to make some changes to your browser settings. The main idea behind this action is to expose you different sorts of advertisements, which are usually sponsored. The browser hijacker developers normally use the infamous Pay-Per-Click method to earn some profits from the clicks of such sponsored advertisements. That’s why they try to display them directly on your screen with the help of programs like Search.queryrouter.com. Not only that, but in the rush for more clicks, and respectively more profits, the developers make sure that the displayed ads stick long enough for you to click on them. Sometimes, different pop-ups, new tabs, and promotional sites may show up quite aggressively on the screen and may affect the normal browsing of users.
If you have a program like Search.queryrouter.com, then you are very likely to experience some of the following disturbing activities:
- Your searches may get redirected to different websites or content that is irrelevant to your current browsing.
- Your homepage and/or search engine may get changed without your permission.
- The webpages that you try to reach may take long to load.
- You may see multiple toolbars on your web browser, which you did not install
- You may get multiple pop-up alerts, new tabs and intrusive web pages full of advertisements
- Your web activity may be tracked by the hijacker – it may collect some information about your browsing history, bookmarks and frequently visited web locations.
Surely, none of these activities seems like something you would like to constantly experience, that’s why it is not surprising that many people may refer to this type of software as irritating and disturbing their browsing activity. And, of course, if they are not able to browse the web in piece and get constantly interrupted by page redirects and irrelevant popping messages, they may decide to remove the browser hijacker from their PC.
Is Search.queryrouter.com really a “Virus“?
Generally, none of the above activities pose a real threat to your system and security. Yes, getting your browsing interrupted by intrusive ads isn’t a pleasant thing, but it is surely far less harmful than a nasty virus infection or an attack by a Trojan or Ransomware. In fact, even though it is irritating, a browser hijacker like Search.queryrouter.com could never destroy your system the way that a real virus could do. Just for comparison, a Ransomware attack will not even be visible unless all of your files get encrypted and a disturbing note reveals the hackers’ ransom demands on your screen. A Browser hijacker could never do that, nor will it attempt to do harm to your system in any way. But still, the randomly generated ads, pop-ups, and tabs that it displays may get you redirected to some unknown or insecure web locations. That why, it is a good thing to avoid clicking much on all the aggressive messages that may come on your screen.
Uninstalling Search.queryrouter.com from your system will completely remove the annoying ads, and this will minimize your chances of bumping into some online hazards. If you avoid downloading and installing software from insecure web locations or torrent sites, spam emails, free software installers, direct downloads from the web or ads, you may greatly reduce the chance of meeting browser hijackers. These programs are usually bundled inside the installation wizards of other attractive apps, players, installation managers, optimization programs or free software. That’s why it is a good idea to always opt for the most detailed installation option when running a new setup on your PC. Such option is the “Advanced/Custom” one, which unlike the “Standard/Quick” ones, gives you direct control over the software bundle that you are installing.
How to Remove Search.queryrouter.com “Virus”
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 Search.queryrouter.com 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 Search.queryrouter.com 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 Search.queryrouter.com 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 Search.queryrouter.com 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 Search.queryrouter.com 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.