How to Remove Search.co-cmf.com Effectively

Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus is defined as a hazardous adware that affects user’s web browser and alters default settings of the browser to replace user’s homepage with the page about Search.co-cmf.com. By doing this, the redirect virus can interfere with users’ browsing habits. Having a disguising interface, the Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus cheats many innocent computer users to trust it’s a good search service and use it unconsciously for browsing activities.

In fact, it is a fake search engine that pretends to be a legitimate site and provides users with multiple utilities and many other search services in order to attract users to visit it. Besides, when uses run their media players, they would also receive all sorts of pop-up ads delivered by the redirect virus. Obviously, those ads are there to lure users’ clicks and persuade them into buying certain products or services. Most of them will be attracted by discount, coupons and other information. So some users accept various advertising sites or receiving pop-up ads.

Just because that Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus could meet some users’ requirements, so they do not consider this redirect virus as a threat that would bring much trouble to their computers and personal information. This redirect virus can modify users’ browse settings, easily allowing other harmful toolbars or plug-ins to get installed on the browsers. It can appear on the startup of the infected browsers and install extensions, add-ons and links on the computer, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Its main aim is to steal your sensitive information by using keyloggers to track your cookies and browser history and then send the collected information to the third-party for illegal benefits. Anyway, it is suggested to take thorough action to remove Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus from your computer as soon as possible.

How to Remove Search.co-cmf.com Manually?

1. Remove the browser hijacker from the infected computer.

Click on the Start button and select Control Panel. Click on Uninstall a program under the Programs category.
Find out and locate the programs related to Search.co-cmf.com browser hijacker. Click on the Uninstall button to remove them all.

2. Launch the infected browser and remove the add-ons or extensions related to the browser hijacker.

Internet Explorer:
Open IE, click on Tools and then select Manage Add-ons. When it opens a window, click on Toolbars and Extensions. Find out the extensions related to the browser hijacker and select them. Then, right-click them and click on the Disable option. Restart IE to finish the procedure.

Google Chrome:
Launch Google Chrome. Click on the Three-bar icon on top-right of the browser, select tools and then Extensions from the list. After that, click Extensions on the left side of the window. Locate the extension related to the browser hijacker, select it and click on the trash icon. Restart the browser to complete the procedure.

Mozilla Firefox:
Start Firefox and click on the tool menu from the top menu. Click on the Add-ons tab to open the configuration window. Then, click Extensions on the left side of this window. Now find out the extensions of the redirect virus and remove them from the browser. Restart the browser to complete the process.

3. Show hidden files and folders.

Go to Control panel again and click on Appearance and Personalization. Then double click on Folder Options. Hit the View tab, tick "Show hidden files, folders and drives" and deselect "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" . Click on the OK button to apply the changes.

4. Delete the malicious files of Search.co-cmf.com from the local disk.

The files listed below are reference only because the virus may has the ability to changes the names and locations of its files.
%Program Files%\ random
%AppData%\Protector-[rnd].exe
%AppData%\Inspector-[rnd].exe
%AppData%\vsdsrv32.exe

5. Open Registry Editor and delete the registry entries of the browser hijacker..
Press Windows+ R keys simultaneously to open the Run window. Then type "regedit" in the run box and press Enter key to open Registry Editor.

After that, find out and delete all the registry entries of Search.co-cmf.com. The below registry entries are also for reference only.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\[random].exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\browser hijacker name
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System 'DisableRegistryTools' = 0

6. Restart the infected computer to apply all changes.

Conclusion

Generally, Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus breaks into the targeted computers by coming bundled with a junk email attachment, pretending itself to be a legitimate file (such as audio file, image file, or txt file) and cheating users into click on the attachment. Another way it often uses is through bundling with some programs installers thus it can be installed if the user do not pay attention to some unnoticeable options. Most users are not aware that being infected with redirect virus is very dangerous and they ignore it, missing the best chance to save the computer system in time.

Manual removal of Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus is so daunting that you may want to give up halfway during the process. That is why it is only for advanced and experienced PC users to deal with, owing to the fact that any little mistake may result in irreparable system damage. Ensure a complete deletion of Search.co-cmf.com redirect virus, the safest and best way is to get a professional removal tool on your computer. What’s important, users need to enhance the awareness of security so as to prevent malware from infecting their computers.