An infection with the dangerous WikiBuy Redirect leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Remove WikiBuy Redirect and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
Skip all steps and download anti-malware tool that will safely scan and clean your PC.
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
Distribution of WikiBuy Redirect
Combo Search is a new malware which has been reported in various attacks worldwide. At the moment the security experts have not been able to identify a single tactic that is being used to infect the targets. We presume that the hackers are using several of the most important methods to carry out the malicious campaigns.
A common way of setting browser hijacker attacks is the use of email spam messages. They may directly distribute malicious file attachments containing scripts that lead to an infection. Other cases can utilize complex social engineering tricks and hyperlinks that are specifically made to confuse the intended targets into infecting themselves. Two more scenarios that are used in combination with email messages rely on infected files used as payloads ‒ documents and software installers.
- Infected Software Installers ‒ The criminals craft malicious packages made out of legitimate software installers. They are taken from the official vendor download sites, modified and then posted on online sites or attached (either as file attachments) or linked in the email messages.
- Infected Documents ‒ They represent dangerous files that usually come in the form of some of the most popular document types: rich text documents, spreadsheets and databases. When the users open them up a notification prompt will ask them to enable the built-in scripts (macros). If this is done then the malware is installed on the victim computer.
The malware browser plugins can be uploaded to hacker-controlled sites and P2P networks like BitTorrent as well. The hacker operators frequently utilize template design, text and images to create portals that look like legitimate download sources. They may also use domain names that are very similar to legitimate sites and advertise them via pop-ups or ad networks.
The browser hijacker code associated with the WikiBuy Redirect can be found in numerous malware toolbars. They are usually made for the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge. They can be distributed on such download sites or even on the browsers repositories (such as the Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome) using fake developer accounts.
Impact of WikiBuy Redirect
The WikiBuy redirect is a dangerous browser hijacker that has recently been found to infect a lot of users worldwide. Several attack campaigns carrying it as the primary infection payload. The majority of the infections seem to come from malware browser extensions made for the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Safari and Internet Explorer. The criminal operators behind the WikiBuy redirect usually create many applications which are then distributed on the official software repositories.
In other cases infections with the WikiBuy redirect can be caused by software installers as well. In some cases the users can prevent installation by unchecking certain default setup options.
The WikiBuy redirect functions like all similar threats by changing important settings on the compatible browsers such as the following: the default home page, search engine and new tabs page. The main goal is to make the users visit a hacker-controlled site and receive the tracking cookie. The security and privacy consequences are overwhelming both for the machines and the computer users themselves.
Dangerous consequences of the WikiBuy redirect is the fact that a series of malware activities can be commissioned:
- Information Gathering — The WikiBuy redirect can be made to harvest sensitive data about the infected hosts and the computer users. The list includes the installed hardware components, applications and user data. In the case of browser hijackers like this one the hackers get access to stored data such as the users history, bookmarks, cookies, passwords and account credentials.
- Persistent Installation — When used as in complex attack scenarios the WikiBuy redirect can include a persistent installer that is able to protect itself from manual user removal attempts.
- Additional Malware Delivery — The WikiBuy redirect can be used to install dangerous malware using a several stage attack scenario.
The design of the hacker-controlled site resembles well-known Internet portals in order to confuse the computer users that it is a safe and legitimate page. It is made up of several components:
- Top Menu Bar — Contains menu options that allow the users to specify their preferences.
- Search Engine — It dominates the upper part of the page and seeks to make the victims interact with it. All search queries are recorded and used to build a profile of the victims which may be shared with other site and services according to the privacy policy and terms of use.
- Stores — Contains affiliate links to popular online shops. Whenever an user makes a purchaase a portion of the money is given to the site operators as a reward for luring the victims in.
- Bottom Bar — Shows the service links and copyright information associated with the site.
The majority of the security and privacy implications are outlined in the privacy policy and terms of use documents. They read that the service can automatically gather both personally-identifiable information about the users as well as anonymous data. This means that it can retrieve information such as the victim’s name, mailing address, email and other private records.
Tracking cookies are instituted that are used to make detailed profiles of the victims: their interests, visited sites and can offer personalized ads which have a higher interaction ratio. All interactions with ads (pop-ups, redirects and sponsored links) generate income for the site operators.
The collected data is then compiled into a database that may be shared with other sites or sold to marketing agencies.
WikiBuy Redirect is a very dangerous threat that must be eliminated completely to prevent any privacy and security risks for the victim users. This is why we we recommend that all users remove the active infections by following our in-depth removal guide.
Remove WikiBuy Redirect and Restore PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the WikiBuy Redirect requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
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
WikiBuy Redirect – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the 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
Remove WikiBuy 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:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
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“.
Remove WikiBuy Virus 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.
-
1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
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“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
-
1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
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.
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“.
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”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit 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
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
