What is Time-to-read.ru?
Time-to-read.ru happens to be a browser hijacker that installs itself without your permission and then modifies your browser’s settings. Browser hijacker is a type of malicious software that is often hard to categorize. Depending on the developer and the distribution method, it might be complicated to determine whether the application is legitimate or harmful. Nevertheless, it is always easy to decide whether you need to remove a program or not by considering the fact whether you need it or not. You clearly did not want Time-to-read.ru on your computer, so the best thing you can do right now is remove it for good.
Where does Time-to-read.ru come from?
This browser hijacker belongs to a prominent family of computer infections, most of which target computer users in the Russian-speaking countries. One could say it is yet another version of Smartinf.ru, Funday24.ru, and Workno.ru. This also means that all these browser hijackers are distributed in a similar fashion.
According to our research, the hijacker installer files are usually available at the Russian p2p websites. Thus, if you visit such web pages often, you have to be careful about what you download and install because browser hijackers and other potential threats may enter your system without much difficulty. What’s more, this program could also be dropped onto your computer by a Trojan infection that was developed for the Russian market.
Therefore, if you see that suddenly your homepage changed to Time-to-read.ru, it is probably about time to scan your computer with a licensed antispyware tool. You will probably be surprised to see just how many potential threats are hiding in your computer.
What does Time-to-read.ru do?
When this malicious program enters your computer, it changes your homepage on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Next, the infection adds an auto-run registry entry, so that your browser would load automatically each time you turn on your computer. If that were not enough, Time-to-read.ru will also add a desktop shortcut that says Вoйти в Интeрнет.lnk (“enter the Internet” in Russian), and clicking the link file will also lead you to the website.
Also, this hijacker is rather sneaky because it does not install itself as Time-to-read.ru. Instead, it uses one of the many addresses of its other sites to redirect you to the main website. For example, the sites saved on your computer could be basady.ru, chatozov.ru, .ryadnatse.ru, indetoch.ru, sculkom.ru, and many others.
It does not really matter which site is installed on your computer; eventually, your browser gets redirected to Time-to-read.ru either way. And, judging from the research data that we have, the mostly affected regions include Russia, Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and so on. This just proves that the hijacker mostly targets the Russian-speaking users.
Some may argue that browser hijackers are not immediate computer security threats, and there is some truth to it. However, you have to consider the fact that browser hijackers enter target computers without users’ permission, and they can also collect information on your web browsing habits.
In other words, browser hijacker monitors your online activity, and all the collected data could be shared with unreliable third parties. Before any of that happens, make sure you get rid of Time-to-read.ru for good.
How do I remove Time-to-read.ru?
In order to delete this browser hijacker, you will have to remove the registry entries that force your browser auto-start. Then, you will have to reset your browser settings to default, so that you do not get redirected to the hijacker’s page again.
Finally, to protect your computer from other potential threats, you will need to scan your system with the SpyHunter free scanner. If any other additional malicious programs are found, be sure to remove them automatically. Keep your security tool updated, to safeguard your PC from similar intruders.
How to Remove Time-to-read.ru
- Press Win+R and type regedit into the Open box. Click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Locate a random-name value with the following value data:
explorer \http://sculkom.ru* - Right-click the value and select Delete.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
- Highlight and delete the Вoйти в Интeрнет.lnk file from your Desktop.
- Empty your Recycle Bin.
* the site address may differ
Internet Explorer
- Press Alt+T and go to Internet options.
- Open the Advanced tab and click Reset.
- Select Delete personal settings and click Reset.
- Click Close.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Alt+H and open Troubleshooting information.
- Click the Refresh Firefox button.
- Press Refresh Firefox again and click Finish.
Google Chrome
- Press Alt+F and go to Settings.
- Scroll down and click Show advanced settings.
- Scroll down to the bottom and press the Reset settings button.
- Click Reset to confirm.
tested removal of Time-to-read.ru*
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