The Dolphin search engine is a program that seems related to the Dolphin add-on developer. The company has many applications on the Google Play store. Many of them may add the id.dolphin.com site as your default search engine. This makes it very probable that the site is tied to browser hijacker. Affected browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, on both Windows and Mac OS.
How Did I Get ID Dolphin On My Browser?
The Dolphin company has many different software products that can be used to promote and distribute their own content. It’s something of a closed net where every add-on and browser extension leads to another. In that case, the likeliest way to contract the ID Dolphin hijacker is to download a product from the company and install it, effectively agreeing to its Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Dolphin, like virtually all “freeware” developers, make money out of the data they collect from their software. While some of their products have a good reputation and users scores, other developments aren’t so well-received. The current state of the Dolphin hijacker seems to suggest that they haven’t gotten around to polishing the search engine.
What Does The Id Dolphin Search Engine Do?
At this point, the state of the alleged browser hijacker is completely inactive and plain. The site doesn’t provide a privacy policy document, terms of use, or any information or content besides a search bar.
The site also uses Google Search for it’s results:
Since Dolphin doesn’t provide any information about its owners, practices, and legal origin, it’s safer to assume that it’s just another browser hijacker that collects info and personally identifiable data. This process helps the company to make client profiles and sell those profiles to an advertiser firm. From there on the firm can start targeting certain ads to certain people.
The racket works when the advertisers can get your IP address, search history, and browsing habits.
How Can I Remove the ID Dolphin Browser Hijacker?
The best way to achieve that goal is to buy an anti-malware tool, scan your system, find the malicious files, and then delete them automatically. Alternatively, you can search your entire system, locate the files by hand, delete them, and restart your browser. This is harder and more time-consuming, which is why option A is better.
Dolphin Hijacker Removal Guide
Manual removal of Dolphin Hijacker requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removal of any important data can lead to permanent system damage. You could prevent this troublesome effect and delete Dolphin Hijacker browser hijacker with SpyHunter malware removal tool.
STEP I: Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the browser hijacker so they will be removed efficiently.
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1) Hit WIN Key + R
- 2) A Run window will appear. In it, write “msconfig” and then press Enter
3) A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named “Boot”
4) Mark “Safe Boot” option and then go to “Network” under it to tick it too
5) Apply -> OK
Or check our video guide – “How to start PC in Safe Mode with Networking”
STEP II: Remove Dolphin Hijacker from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
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1) Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
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2) In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
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3) The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
STEP III: Remove Dolphin Hijacker From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1) Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
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2) Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
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3) Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
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4) In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
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5) Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1) Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
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2) Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
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3) Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
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4) Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
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5) In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
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1) Start Internet Explorer. Go to the “Tools” menu and click on “Manage add-ons“.
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2) In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
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3) Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
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4) Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
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5) In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
STEP IV: Remove Completely Dolphin Hijacker Browser Hijacker Using SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
STEP V: Repair Windows Registry
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1) Again type simultaneously the Windows Button + R key combination
2) In the box, write “regedit”(without the inverted commas) and hit Enter
3) Type the CTRL+F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4) In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Further help for Windows Registry repair
STEP VI: Preventive Security Measures
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1) Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
2) Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
3) Secure your web browser.
4) Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
5) Disable macros in Office documents.
6) Use strong passwords.
7) Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
8) Backup regularly your data.
