How to Remove the Bing Redirect Virus

If your search queries or browser homepage are being redirected through Bing Search, it may be a sign of a browser hijacker installed in your PC. The Bing redirect virus has become notorious and highly persistent.

This article will give you insights into what the Bing redirect virus is and guide you through the process of getting rid of it from your computer. If Bing Redirect has recently hijacked your default browser, we suggest you follow the instructions in this removal guide.

What is the Bing Redirect Virus?

Bing redirect isn’t even a virus per se because unlike real viruses, it doesn’t copy or replicate itself from computer to computer using shared storage or over a network. However, Bing Redirect is a form of browser-hijacking malware classified among Potentially Unwanted Programs or PUs).

What Does Bing Redirect Virus Do?

Bing Redirect can often look like a normal extension for browsers such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Explorer, among others, but it’s not. It operates differently than a regular browser extension. As a result, you may quickly notice it on your computer.

Once it infiltrates your system, Bing Redirect may:

• Start to generate aggressive, intrusive, and nagging ads, banners, and pop-ups on your screen.
• Stealthily intercept your browser and initiate unwanted modifications on your default browser’s settings e.g., put a new homepage domain, a new toolbar, or change your default search engine.
• Tracks your internet browsing activity and collect important personal data, such as your sites visited, IP address, or web searches, and shares with third-parties such as hackers or ad companies.

How to Remove The Bing Redirect Virus

You can remove Bing Redirect virus in two ways:

• Automatically, using a reputable third-party antivirus (antimalware) software
• Locating and deleting the browser hijacker manually

It is important to note that before you embark on the removal process, you need to ensure that you back up all your files to safe storage, such as an external hard drive. This is important to protect you from losing your files.

How to Automatically Remove the Bing Redirect Virus

We recommend that you use this automatic method if the Bing Redirect has infiltrated your computer, and you cannot locate it.

If you already have a professional antivirus or malware removal software, you have an advantage. If you do not have the software, you have to do the following:

1. Download one from a reputable, trusted site or company.
2. Guide yourself using the download instructions provided for the specific software or browser.
3. Use the install instructions to install it.
4. Scan your computer to remove the Bing Redirect virus and other unwanted apps.

The software will scan your computer and automatically remove any unwanted apps and malware, including the Bing Redirect Virus.

Bing Redirect Virus Removal Guide

To remove and get rid of the Bing Redirect Virus, carry out the following steps:

First, stop it from running by stopping your hijacked browser from running.

For Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Go to > Programs.
3. Locate the unwanted/intrusive Bing redirect app then click Uninstall a program.
4. Reboot your PC to effect the changes.

For Mac:

1. Click the Go menu icon in the Finder > select Applications > then select Utilities.
2. Locate ‘Activity Monitor’ and double-click on it.
3. Locate any unfamiliar/suspicious entry under the Process Name column then kill it by clicking the ‘Quit Process’ button.
4. Return to the Finder’s ‘Go’ menu > choose Go to Folder (or Command+Shift+G) to open the folder search dialog > type /Library/LaunchAgents and click Go.
5. Examine the contents of the LaunchAgents folder to locate potentially unwanted entries > then drag these files to the Trash (or right-click and select ‘Move to Trash).
6. Expand the Go menu > then select Applications.
7. Locate any malicious application (e.g., Spaces.app) > then send it to the Trash.
8. When done, empty the Trash.
9. Reboot your Mac.

Once you have removed the virus from your PC or Mac, you need to remove it from your browser as well and set it back to default.

For Safari:

1. Launch Safari > navigate to the Safari menu and click on preferences.
2. Click on the Extensions tab.
3. Locate any suspicious-looking extensions or apps.
4. Select the suspicious app and click on the uninstall button.
5. Return to the General tab.
6. Change the homepage to your preferred homepage address.
7. From the search bar, select the search engine you prefer.
8. Restart the computer to for these changes to take effect.

For Chrome:

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Click the ⁝ icon on the top right corner.
3. Locate More Tools > go to extensions.
4. Locate any suspicious extensions > Disable it > the remove the extension.
5. Go back to the Customize and control Google Chrome(⁝) icon > then select Settings.
6. Click the Advanced button.
7. Go down to the Reset settings section > then click Restore settings to their original defaults.
8. Click Reset settings to confirm the action.
9. Restart Chrome to effect changes

How to Protect Yourself from the Bing Redirect Virus

In the future, cybersecurity analysts recommend different precaution measures, such as:

• Ensure your firewall is active at all time.
• Ensure that your anti-malware software is up and running.
• Avoid questionable sites.
• Do not open spam messages.
• Stay away from suspicious click baits and web ads.
• Use ad-block.
• Update your installed software and OS regularly.
• Always monitor the setup settings when installing new programs.

Additionally, take note of software bundling, which is often used to distribute potentially unwanted programs without users noticing. Therefore, never rush through the installation steps and always pick Custom or Advanced installation settings instead of the recommended settings.

Conclusion

We believe that the information in this article will be of great help. If you have any other issues with ransomware attacks, alert us through the comments section.