I.search.metacrawler.com has taken over my browsers. I found it on my FF first but I thought it wasn’t a big problem so I leave it there and use Google Chrome instead. But today morning I realize how stupid I was to let a woof stay in my computer! The page has taken control of my Google Chrome also. I cannot set it back. And anytime I open a new tab there would pop up other advertisements which I don’t want to have. How can I stop these weird things on my machine?

Browser Hijacked by I.search.metacrawler.com – How to Fix?

I.search.metacrawler.com is associated with some unwanted toolbars for your web browser. This webpage is actually an adware component. Even though the site itself claims that it is designed to simplify the way you access your favorite websites, this website and its associated toolbar or sponsored sites have several unwanted behaviors. Those behaviors are more closely associated with known malware infections than with legitimate applications. Most of the time, the browser hijacker page will be bundled along with freeware programs, included in the installation process. Thus when you install any of those unauthorized programs you may get the redirect virus installed too. That has become a well-known way a virus is spread. There has been more and more back links which are doubtful in their safety. So it is much easier for computer users to get infected or hacked by any online spread threats.

Seeing the official description of I.search.metacrawler.com, it would be hard for net users to believe that this website is linked to malware. The guys behind the page claim that this website’s vision is to become an industry leader in providing simple, smart web solutions to their clients. They say they also provide complementary programs that improve browser efficiency and make browsing simply with interfaces and technologies that computer users are already used to utilize. However, this vision does not match up well in reality, since products associated with the redirect virus have various components that are more commonly associated with adware. There are three reasons why products associated with this I.search.metacrawler.com are considered unsafe for your computer: First, the redirect virus takes over your browsers without your permission; Second, The browser hijacker changes any default settings on the target computer and replace them with its own. You may realize that there are unwanted and new bookmarks in the bookmark list and it seems hard for you to get rid of. Third, it displays unsafe search results for your search queries.

Screenshot of the Browser Hijacker Virus

i.search.metacrawler.com redirect virus

Example of the Redirect Page Search Result

i.search.metacrawler.com search result

For the sake of computer safety and privacy security, remove I.search.metacrawler.com redirect with no hesitation. Contact YooSecurity Online PC Experts for assistance if you are not computer savvy and have no idea on how to remove this hijacker:

Troubles To Be Expected with Browser Hijacker

1. I.search.metacrawler.com redirect can not only get on browsers without permissions, but reset default structures of affected browsers without letting you change them back;
2. Online sessions will be greatly interrupted by constant displaying ads or pop-up links;
3. Malware or spyware can be prompted by these unwanted popups and suspicious links;
4. The performance of the affected browsers will be incredibly slow down while unresponsive webs will be expected more often;
5. Users’ online info like usernames, passwords and other confidential data can be stolen by cyber criminals.

Browser Hijacker Manual Removal Instructions

Since the advanced anti-virus software can’t take effectively to get rid of the browser hijacker, then manual removal will be highly required. Generally speaking, manual removal is a complicated and difficult process which requires enough computer skills. To make it easier, Basic manual removal steps have been given in the following to help one get rid of I.search.metacrawler.com browser hijacker:(Be cautious when dealing with different system files and entries)

Step A: Open Windows Task Manager to end process related to the Redirect virus. To do that, press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys at the same time to pull up Window Task Manager; go to Processes tab on top and scroll down the list to find odd processes. Names of the processes can be different each time:

taskmanager

Step B: Open Control Panel from Start menu and search for Folder Options. Go to Folder Options window, under View tab, tick Show hidden files and folders and non-tick Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK:

FolderOptions

Step C: Press Windows+R keys together to pull up Run box and type in regedit to open Registry Editor. Delete registry values associating with this I.search.metacrawler.com redirect:

Run+regedit

Step D: Change home page(s) on browsers back from I.search.metacrawler.com and other unknown random URLs: (Google Chrome)

chrome-homepage1

chrome-homepage2

Similar Video on Browser Hijacker Removal in Registry:

Conclusion:

I.search.metacrawler.com redirect virus is a potential computer risk that closely associated with an adware and browser hijackers. After the redirect virus gets into the system it will embed more and more unwanted add-ons, plug-ins or extensions and inject scripts on the web browser to make your browser unstable and functionless. The browser hijacker can troubles your regular activities on the infected computer by causing random popping ups and advertisements pages. It can also weaken the detect ability of the computer and make it more likely to be infected by any other threats. To prevent your computer from getting more vulnerable you have to remove this redirect virus as soon as possible.

Note: Certain levels of PC skills will be needed during the manual removal process of this hijacker. Please contact YooSecurity Online Experts now to get further help if you have tried but failed time after time.

Published by Tony Shepherd & last updated on November 19, 2013 6:30 am

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