my chrome browser was hijacked by "search incognito" and I kept getting wierd website tabs...
after hours of google searching and trying malwarebytes, superANTIspyware, spybot and others that didn't catch this monster either, I finally found SpyHunter that correctly ID'd it... what happened to WebRoot??
Did I miss a setting? (everything is ON)
how can I keep this from happening again??
thanks for a great product that I depend on and hope to do so again in the future
Userlevel 5
Hi dear Edparton.
Welcome to Webroot Community.
please be aware there is no antivirus software which provide 100% Security for our system. but ! for the next time i think only work you can do about that is submit a ticket (https://detail.webrootanywhere.com/servicewelcome.asp?) !
personaly everytime even if i just doubt which my System is infected submit a ticket and Webroot Team as fast as possible !! answer me and do a remote connection and then do a full check up my system ! .
so all you need is just submit a ticket ! say the word ! and Webroot be there for you ! 😃 i mean it ! :D
and this is why i love Webroot team ! Smart , Kind , Respectfull , Professional what else we want from them really ?
so again finally i recommend to you just say the word and Webroot do what is best for you :)
Welcome to Webroot Community.
please be aware there is no antivirus software which provide 100% Security for our system. but ! for the next time i think only work you can do about that is submit a ticket (https://detail.webrootanywhere.com/servicewelcome.asp?) !
personaly everytime even if i just doubt which my System is infected submit a ticket and Webroot Team as fast as possible !! answer me and do a remote connection and then do a full check up my system ! .
so all you need is just submit a ticket ! say the word ! and Webroot be there for you ! 😃 i mean it ! :D
and this is why i love Webroot team ! Smart , Kind , Respectfull , Professional what else we want from them really ?
so again finally i recommend to you just say the word and Webroot do what is best for you :)
Userlevel 7
+3
Hello edparton,
Welcome to the Community Forum.
If I could just add a little info to what MrParham has kindly advised. SearchIncognito is a browser hijacker, and it is likely that you got it via a freeware download in which it was bundled. It may be regarded as a PUA (potentially unwanted application).
PUAs are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
Please let us know if you need any further info or advice. Thanks.
Welcome to the Community Forum.
If I could just add a little info to what MrParham has kindly advised. SearchIncognito is a browser hijacker, and it is likely that you got it via a freeware download in which it was bundled. It may be regarded as a PUA (potentially unwanted application).
PUAs are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
Please let us know if you need any further info or advice. Thanks.
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