Learn More about Hot-finder.com:
Hot-finder.com is a stubborn browser hijacker, which takes fully control of your homepage including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. It is capable to automatically change your homepage to Hot-finder.com once it is installed. Maybe you will be puzzled when do you install this browser hijacker, however, Hot-finder.com is so tricky that it usually stays in an out-of-the-way option when you install safe applications or softwares. As a result, it is installed in your PC because of your careless.
Maybe you think it does not matter to let it continue to stay in your computer, but actually, it is a malicious virus. Why? Once installed, you can not get reliable search results from this domain because the search results from Hot-finder.com are filed with advertisements and sponsored links. You may receive many annoying pop-up advertisements and when you search for something you might be redirected to some other unknown website, which may contains malicious program. Worse still, Hot-finder.com is capable of collecting your personal information such as your email address or your online traces for marketing. It is potentially unwanted and you are not recommended to keep this browser hijacker on your computer.
Form the above analysis, you can learn that you should pay more attention on online activities and should always be thoughtful and careful when installing something. Always remember that you should download them from its official site. On the other hand when you install them, keep in mind the Advanced or Custom installation should be your first choice and do not select anything that is not familiar to you.
Important Note: Below is just a reference for you, because Hot-finder.com changes its location and files name all the time, so there maybe some differences when you follow the removal guide. If you are not an computer expert, please stop continuing but feel free to contact us, our MiTechMate is expert in helping users with various computer issues.
How to get rid of Hot-finder.com step by step?
(To remove this stubborn virus, manuall removal is the most efficient and safe way. We need to delete each of process, .dll files and registry entries must be cleaned up with expert skills. Any mistake will lead to system crash, so please carefull when you start doing every step. )
Step1: Set Your DNS as Google's Public DNS( 8.8.8.8):
(Available on Windows7/Vista and Window8/8.1)
1. Open Control Panel
2. At Network and Internet, select "View network status and tasks"
3. At Network and Sharing Center, select "Change adapter settings"
4. Select the network adapter you are using (LAN or WLAN), then click on "Properties"
5. Double click "Internet Protocol Version4 (TCP/IPV4)"
6. Check "Use the following DNS server addresses"
7. Set the "Preferred DNS server" as 8.8.8.8
Step2: Stop Hot-finder.com redirect processes in the Windows Task Manager
random.exe
On Windows XP
•Press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys together to open Windows Task Manager ;
•Under the Processes tab, right-click on the processes related with the virus and click End Process
On Windows 7 / Windows Vista
•Right-click on Task Bar and click on Task Manager;
•Under the Processes tab, right-click on the processes related with the virus and click
On Windows 8 / 8.1
•Right-click on Task Bar and click on Task Manager;
•Under the Processes tab, right-click on the processes related with the virus and click
Step3: Show all hidden files:
On Windows XP
•Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
•Click on the Start button. This is the small round button with the Windows flag in the lower left corner.
•Click on the Control Panel menu option.
•When the control panel opens click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
•Under the Folder Options category, click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
•Under the Hidden files and folders section, select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
•Press the Apply button and then the OK button.
On Windows 7 / Vista
•Click and open Libraries
•Under the Folder Options category of Tools , click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
•Under the Hidden files and folders section, select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
•Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
•Press the Apply button and then the OK button.
On Windows 8 /8.1
•Click on Windows Explorer ;
•Click on View tab;
•Check the “Hidden Items” box
Step4: Delete Hot-finder.com redirect Virus associated files
%UserProfile%\Application Data\[random digits]\[random digits].exe
%AppData%[trojan name]toolbaruninstallIE.dat
%AppData%[trojan name]toolbarstats.dat
%UserProfile%\Application Data\[random digits]\[random digits].cfg
Step 5: Open Registry Editor:
Method 1
(Available on Windows XP, Windows 7 /Vista, and Windows 8 /8.1):
•Call out “Run” box by pressing “Windows” key + “R” key on your keyboard;
•Type “Regedit” into the Run box and click OK to open Registry Editor
Method 2
(Available on Windows 7/ Vista):
•Click on Start button to open Start Menu
•Type “Regedit” into the search box and click on Regedit to open Registry Editor
Step 6: Terminate these Registry Entries created by Hot-finder.com redirect.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Antivirus Security Pro Virus\UninstallString “%AppData%[RANDOM CHARACTERS][RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe” –u
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\[RANDOM CHARACTERS] %AppData%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
(Notes: The Hot-finder.com virus is a stubborn threat constantly mutates in different systems, so the malicious processes, files and registry entries dropped by it vary in each PC. If you cannot find the files listed above, please contact professional expert online to help you find and remove them safely )
Step 7: Reset browser settings of Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer:
Google Chrome
Click on Chrome wrench icon >> click on Settings >> click on the Show Advanced Settings >> click on Reset Browser Settings.
Mozilla Firefox
Click on Firefox button >> locate Help >> click on Troubleshooting Information >> click on Reset Firefox
Internet Explorer
Click on Tools >> select Internet Options >> click on Advanced tab >> click on Reset >> confirm the resetting.
Tips: To get rid of Hot-finder.com, the best way is manual removal. But if you are not familiar with computer, you'd better ask for an expert help.
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