An infection with the dangerous Kickay browser hijacker leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide..
Remove Kickay Browser Hijacker and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
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Distribution of Kickay Browser Hijacker
The Kickay browser hijacker can be delivered using different methods. Depending on the scale of the intended targets the criminals may opt to use email spam messages which can link to the instances. Depending on the case the criminals can use file attachments or hyperlinks that lead to the Kickay redirect infection. Usually social engineering tactics are employed into gaining the trust of the targets and making them infect themselves.
Other cases include the distribution of infected instances on the software repositories of the browsers. The criminals usually create versions for the most popular applications: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Safari.
Computer victims may also get infected by visiting malicious ad networks, phishing sites and other related web content.
Impact of Kickay Browser Hijacker
The Kickay browser hijacker is a dangerous malware that is used by hackers to redirect the victims to a dangerous web site. In many cases the plugin is developed for the most popular applications: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Safari. The experts uncovered an active instance on the Chrome Web Store which is listed as simply Kickay. Its description reads the following message:
Our next extension is a great one it is based on a completely new technology and is one of ur most prized possession. please enjoy it and tell your friends :).
if we may help you in any way please contact us at [email protected]
Similar versions are probably available for other browsers as well.
Once they have infiltrated the victim computers, the users will see that important settings have been altered. This includes values such as the default home page, new tabs page and search engine to reflect the hacker-controlled site. At any point the sites can be changed by the operators.
At the moment the Kickay browser hijacker redirects the victim browsers to wethma(.com). This is followed by another search engine, currently a customized Yahoo is used to process the queries.
The victims of the Kickay redirect need to know that all search results deliver sponsored results and may not reflect the best possible sites. Beware that hijackers like this one have the ability to steal sensitive information stored in the browsers such as:
- Bookmarks
- Form Data
- Account Credentials
- Passwords
- Settings
- Cookies
In addition the malware can be used to spread various forms of ransomware, Trojans and other threats. Note that using the malicious site incurs serious privacy concerns. The site may impose tracking cookies that monitor the users behavior and extract information about the preferences and the computer’s software configuration and hardware components. This is then used by the sites to build detailed profiles of the visitors which can be sold to marketing agencies and on the hacker underground.
Remove Kickay Browser Hijacker and Restore PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the Kickay browser hijacker 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
Kickay Browser Hijacker – 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 Kickay 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 Kickay 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
