What is Search.adlux.com?
Search.adlux.com may look like a search engine, but it is more than that. Our cyber security experts at Anti-spyware-101.com have concluded that it is a browser hijacker and that it should be removed as soon as possible. Among their findings was the fact that it collects information about its users to customize and personalize the promotional links featured in its search results. However, the most important thing here is that it is distributed in a malicious manner which means that it can infect a browser and replace its homepage addresses using coercion.
What does Search.adlux.com do?
First and foremost, Search.adlux.com is a search engine, but it is no ordinary search engine. Our malware analysts have classified it as a browser hijacker because it is distributed in a manner that replaces the homepage address without the user’s knowledge or approval. Of course, this is done for a reason which is that Search.adlux.com is undesirable and poses a threat to any given user.
Our cyber security experts have stated that this malicious search engine is bound to feature shady promotional links and ads in its search results. These promotions can include links to questionable and possibly even dangerous sites that can get your computer infected with malware such as adware, spyware, Trojans, and so on. Furthermore, some websites you may search for might have malicious clones that have been set up to extract your logins and passwords. Therefore, we do not recommend that you trust this hijacker because it can only lead to many more problems.
Our researchers have determined that Search.adlux.com can collect information about you in order to customize and tailor the promoted links in order to present you with what might be called more relevant search results. Indeed, our researchers have received information stating that this hijacker can use web beacons and browser cookies to acquire information that includes but may not be limited to your IP address, geographical location, search history, search queries, browser type, and operating system type. This information is anonymous in nature but is rather useful and helps the developers of this hijacker make more money.
Where does Search.adlux.com come from?
Like most browser hijackers, Search.adlux.com was developed by an unknown company that did not sign it and does not provide any contact information publicly. Nevertheless, its advertising partners somehow manage to get hold of the people that created it and make deals with them. In any case, it is evident that this search engine comes from a highly unreliable background.
As far as Search.adlux.com’s disseminated methods are concerned, research has shown that it is currently being distributed via malicious software installers featured on questionable websites that host freeware. These installers are known to inject this browser hijacker secretly while installing other software and as a result, the replace the homepage address secretly, and you cannot uncheck its installation due to the nature of the installer.
How do I remove Search.adlux.com?
So there you have it, this is the kind of search engine you get when you get Search.adlux.com. There is no doubt that it is a browser hijacker and that it poses a significant threat to your computer’s security. It comes from an unknown source, and it collects information about you to customize promotional links and ads to generate advertising revenue. Therefore, you must not use it and remove it from your browser as soon as possible. Our researchers have composed of a guide that will help you do just that, so do not hesitate to take action — please consult the guide provide below.
How to get rid of this browser hijacker
Google Chrome
- Hold down Win+E keys.
- In the File Explorer’s address bar, type C:\Users\{User name}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default and hit Enter.
- Locate Preferences, Secure Preferences and Web Data files.
- Delete them or open with Notepad and replace http://search.adlux.com with your preferred homepage address.
Mozilla Firefox
- Hold down Win+E keys.
- In the File Explorer’s address bar, type C:\Users\{User name}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles and hit Enter.
- Go to {Unique ID} folder.
- Locate prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
- Find and replace http://search.adlux.com in the user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.adlux.com"); string.
- Save and Close.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Hold down Wins+R keys.
- Type regedit in the box and hit Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find the Start Page registry string.
- Right-click it and click Modify.
- In the Value data line, erase http://search.adlux.com
- Enter a new homepage address and click OK.
tested removal of Search.adlux.com*
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