Remove searchqu.com browser redirecting Trojan (hijacker)

searchqu.com is a browser hijacker that gets implanted into your browser and causes serious redirects of your search queries and the results you intend to obtain. The presence of searchqu.com on your system may also be accompanied by redirects through search-results.com or searchqu.com. All of the above-said sites are responsible for perversion of your search queries. Of course, the hijacker promises to optimize your search requests, whereas we strongly doubt this fact. The presence of this malware on your system is surely annoying for all computer users whose browsers got attacked by this nasty malware.

searchqu.com gets into the systems through certain vulnerabilities of your browser, especially this happens with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. However, other browsers like Opera or Google Chrome might be compromised as well. In some cases, however, it might be that searchqu.com will be installed through legal ways. For example, user may download some software with its installer being bundled with the installer of searchqu.com. Failure to uncheck the respective box leads to the browser redirecting toolbar being installed into your default search browser.

Without hesitation, it is quite an annoying thing to see your search queries being permanently forwarded via searchqu.com. The outstanding desire to get rid of this hijacker is surely a good thing and expectation. We’ll try to assist you in this challenge to come true. However, deleting searchqu.com from your browser is not a one-click thing. What you should do right away is to implement the series of manual steps as stipulated below. Then only will you be able to run the security software that is recommended for complete system cleanup.

searchqu.com screenshot:

Browser redirection removal milestones:

• Check the Local Area Network (LAN) settings of your system
• Check whether DNS settings have been changed by Redirect Virus
• Check your Windows HOSTS file contents
• Check Internet Explorer add-ons. Get rid of unknown or suspicious add-ons contained there
• Use Kaspersky TDSSKiller (TDSS Killer) application to get rid of malware belonging to the clan of Rootkit.Win32.TDSS
• Scan your system with decent anti-virus program and malware killer
• Consider using CCleaner to delete unwanted system/temp files and browser cache
• The last but not the least, reset your Router back to the factory default settings

1. Check the Local Area Network (LAN) settings of your system
a) Open Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer go to: Tools->Internet Options.

Windows XP Example:



Windows Vista / Windows 7 Example:


b) Click on “Connections” tab, then click “LAN settings” button.

c) Uncheck (untick) the checkbox under “Proxy server” option and hit OK.

2. Check whether DNS settings have been changed by Redirect Virus:
a) Open Control Panel (Start->Control Panel).
b) Double-click “Network Connections” icon to open it.
c) Right-click on “Local Area Connection” icon and select “Properties”.


d) Select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and click “Properties” button.

e) Choose “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and click OK.


3. Check your Windows HOSTS file contents
a) Go to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc.
b) Double-click “hosts” file to open it. Choose to open with Notepad.


c) The “hosts” file should look the same as in the image below. There should be only one line: 127.0.0.1 localhost in Windows XP and 127.0.0.1 localhost ::1 in Windows Vista. If there are more, then remove them and save changes. Read more about Windows Hosts file here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034

4. Check Internet Explorer add-ons. Get rid of unknown or suspicious add-ons contained there

a) Open Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer go to: Tools->Manage Add-ons.


b) Uninstall unknown or suspicious Toolbars or Search Providers.

5. Use Kaspersky TDSSKiller (TDSS Killer) application to get rid of malware belonging to the clan of Rootkit.Win32.TDSS
a) Download the file TDSSKiller.zip and extract it into a folder
b) Execute the file TDSSKiller.exe.
c) Wait for the scan and disinfection process to be over. Close all programs and press “Y” key to restart your computer.


More detailed TDSSKiller tutorial: http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684


6. Scan your system with decent anti-virus program and malware killer



7. Consider using CCleaner to delete unwanted system/temp files and browser cache
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization. It’s not a malware removal tool. However, it’s always a good idea to get rid of unnecessary internet/system files or corrupter Windows registry values that may cause various problems to your computer. Download CCleaner free application.
8. The last but not the least, reset your Router back to the factory default settings

Keep in mind that this step is optional and should be completed only if you have followed all the above recommendations and you still have the redirect virus on your computer. First of all, please follow this guide: How to Reset a Router Back to the Factory Default Settings. Then you should flush DNS cache: a)Go to Start->Run (or WinKey+R) and type in "cmd" without quotation marks.



b) In a new window please type "ipconfig /flushdns" without quotation marks and press Enter.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time if you require any help on our part of if you experience any difficulties. We hope that this information has been helpful to you and remain

Yours faithfully,
Restore Point Blog