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How to Remove Key-Find.com, Browser Hijack Virus Fast Removal

What is Key-Find.com

Key-Find.com is not a reputable website that has been universally recognized as a browser hijack virus, which has the capability to trigger website traffic as well as other damaging activities on the computer that it infects. It seems that Key-Find.com is committed to multiple search services specifically designed for the majority of Internet users. However, by making use of hack strategy such as DLL plug-in, BHO (Browser Helper Object) or WinsockLSP, Key-Find.com virus can always tamper Internet user’s browser significantly, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Basically, Key-Find.com virus may insert its malicious codes and files in system for the purpose of making modification in web browser configuration such as DNS and web search provider. In this way, the existing homepage, start-up page or error page could be directly modified to various suspicious domain operated by cyber criminals. Furthermore, when users do search in its provided search engine or even legitimate one (eg. Yahoo,Google or Bing), Key-Find.com virus may redirect default search queries forcibly and hijack to its appointed search materials which have no association with the original ones.

Key-Find.com_

It should be mentioned that similar as other browser hijack virus, Key-Find.com may also display disturbing pop-up advertisements and notifications so as to meddle with Internet user’s regular routine and generate additional ad revenue for its author. Apart from those apparent symptoms, Key-Find.com browser hijack virus may have the possibility to drop and install its related add-on, plug-in or extension in an affected web browser for the sake of tracking user’s online search history and cookies. In this circumstance, user’s confidential data, such as bank card online information, personal identification data, social account passwords, would be surreptitiously and unexpectedly revealed to third parties. The worse thing is, stealthy as Key-Find.com is, it may even open a backdoor for remote hackers through technically exploiting all possible system security vulnerabilities in compromised machine. It is known that a backdoor can often be used to permit remote hackers to access targeted computer without any authorization, and may be used to drop and install additional malware in system to do further harm. Thereupon it is obligatory to terminate Key-Find.com browser hijack virus timely to avoid any unexpected damage or loss.

Note: The following manual removal requires certain computer expertise. If you have no experience on it and do not want to make mistake, you are welcome to ask help from VilmaTech 24/7 online agents here to resolve your problem properly and effectively.

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How does Key-Find.com Enter Your System

It is well-known that Key-Find.com is skilled in taking advantage of security exploit kits so as to spread its components on a targeted computer. Expect the way, malware distributors also prefer to propagate Key-Find.com onto a computer with the aid of a variety of social engineering tactics, such as:

  • Key-Find.com virus may sneak into a targeted machine through attaching itself to other freeware or shareware which can be downloaded manually from some unreliable download websites on the Internet.
  • Key-Find.com virus may permeate via some malicious websites or other legitimate websites which have been attacked, such as P2P (peer-to-peer file sharing) websites.
  • Key-Find.com virus may be distributed by a spam email which providing sponsored links or other attachments such as Zip-archived extension.

Best Way to Remove Key-Find.com Hijack Virus

Different from common virus, Key-Find.com browser hijack infection can always evade the full detection and removal by antivirus software program or other security tools. As long as being installed, Key-Find.com redirect virus will immediately implant its malevolent codes deeply in system. At the same time, it will also change the names of its files and file folders so that to avoid auto detection and uninstallation. As a result, it is strongly recommended to adopt the almighty manual removal to clean up all its components from computer. If you are not familiar with the approach, please be free to contact VilmaTech Certified 24/7 online experts to get real-time support.

Here is the step by step manual guide:

1. Reset your web browser to get default homepage back.

Internet Explorer:

  • Open Internet Explorer.
  • Go to Tools, and then click on  ‘Manage Add-ons’;

IE manage addon icon

  • Choose ‘Search Providers’.
  • Select ‘Bing’ search engine or ‘Google’ search engine and make it default;

IE search providers

  • Navigate to ‘Tools’, and then ‘Internet Options’;
  • Select ‘General tab’ in Internet Options window.
  • Click website, e.g. Google.com.
  • Confirm ok.

ie-reset2

Google Chrome:

  • Open Google Chrome.
  • Click on ‘Customize and control’ Google Chrome icon.
  • Select ‘Settings’;
  • Go to ‘Basic Options’;

google-chrome-option-basic-tab

  • Change Google Chrome’s homepage to google.com or any other you want.
  • Click the ‘Manage Search Engines…’ button;

GG-manage-search-engine

  • If you need Google homepage, you can select ‘Google’ from the list and make a confirmation.

Tip: Any problems during the operation, please feel free to contact VilmaTech certified professionals 24/7 online here for the further help.

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Mozilla Firefox:

  • Open Mozilla Firefox.
  • Click on the magnifier’s icon.
  • Select ‘Manage Search Engine…’;

MozillaFirefox manage search engines

  • Select ‘Search Results’ from the list.
  • Remove Key-Find.com in it.

manage_search_engines

  • Go to ‘Tools’ and then “Options”.
  • Under General tab, reset the startup homepage or change it to google.com or any other domain you like.

firefox gerneral tab

2. Remove Key-Find.com from computer.

  • Stop the processes of Key-Find.com in Windows Task Manager list.

taskmanagerdefault

  • Remove its related files in local disk.

%AllUsersProfile%\{random}\
%AllUsersProfile%\{random}\*.lnk

  • Clean up all its registry entries in Registry Editor.

a (25)

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\random
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\Key-Find.com.DLL
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\Key-Find.com.EXE
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\”Shell” = “[random].exe”

Youtube Channel on How to Backup Windows Registry Entries

In Conclusion:

Key-Find.com is not a genuine website providing search services for Internet users. According to its attributes, Key-Find.com has been popularly identified as a browser hijack virus that has the capability to affect most common-used web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Once being installed, it will typically spread its malicious codes and files in system for the purpose of making modification in web browser directly. As a result, the default homepage, start-up page or error page may be altered to its appointed URLs. Whenever users do search in their search engines, they may be redirected to suspicious websites that is operated by cyber criminals. Apart from the basic symptoms, Key-Find.com browser hijack virus may also distribute numerous pop-up advertisements on the screen to interfere with Internet user’s regular routine. What’s more, Key-Find.com virus may steal and reveal user’s confidential data for remote hackers. Suppose that Key-Find.com cannot be removed timely, it may even open a backdoor for hackers, allowing them to access targeted machine without any permission or knowledge. It is certain that users are obliged to get rid of Key-Find.com virus as long as being informed of its presence. However, it may escape the detection and removal from antivirus application easily. If so you may consider the suggested manual approach to clean up all its components from computer.

Tip: If you meet any problems during the operation, you may start a live chat with VilmaTech 24/7 Online Experts here to help you resolve the problem completely and safely.

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