Remove Rambler Search Engine

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Welcome to our Rambler Search removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC.

Recently, a lot of users have been reporting that a sketchy program under the name of Rambler Search has started latching onto their browsers (Firefox, Chrome, IE, etc.) and making different changes to them. The most common complaints is that Rambler Search adds a new search engine or a toolbar, changes the homepage of the browser or even sometimes causes unwanted redirects to obscure-looking websites. These symptoms are typical for a type of programs called Browser Hijacker. This leads us to believe that Rambler Search, too, is one such program. Here, we will explain how Browser Hijackers work, what their purpose is and if they are harmful to the computer. Additionally, you will learn how you can avoid getting any more Hijackers installed onto your PC as well as how to remove Rambler Search in case you currently have it on your PC.

Primary purpose

Generally, any software that falls under the Browser Hijacker category is some kind of advertising software tool. The object of advertising can be anything – websites, other programs, internet services, etc. The issue, however, is that applications like Rambler Search tend to heavily obstruct one’s regular online experience with their aggressive promoting techniques. On top of that, there’s little to no actual use that you might get out of a Hijacker. For the most part, applications like Rambler Search are being distributed with the sole purpose of spreading their advertising materials without actually providing the user with anything of value that would compensate for their intrusiveness.

Hijackers and Viruses

You will often hear (or read) people referring to Browser Hijackers as viruses and malware. After all, they are nagging programs that mess with your browser without your permission. However, there is a substantial difference between malicious viruses like Trojan Horses and the infamous Ransomware type and Hijackers.

• First of all, software the likes of Rambler Search usually does not threaten your computer’s safety or the security of your personal data. Obviously, it is exactly the opposite with malicious Ransomware viruses or other forms of harmful malware.
• Secondly, while usually Trojans, Ransomware and other similar viruses are oftentimes nearly impossible to detect, you are bound to notice the presence of a Hijacker as soon as you open your browser after the nagging program has been installed onto your machine.
• Thirdly, it is important to note that a big number of Browser Hijacker programs are legal pieces of software (even if they are annoying as can be). In fact, even some reputable companies have been known to develop applications that possess certain hijacker-like traits. In contrast to that, real viruses are exclusively illegal and illegally utilized.

Problems

There are quite a few potential reasons why Rambler Search is deemed unwanted apart from the fact that it tries to modify your browser without you allowing it.

• It might fill your browser with nagging and very obstructive ads, banners, pop-ups, etc. that make it nearly impossible for you to navigate through different sites without accidentally clicking on any of them. Not only that, but at times, some of those ads you see can redirect you to shady websites that you’d probably not want to (and shouldn’t) visit.
• As a way of making the said ads more appealing, a lot of Hijackers scan through the user’s browser looking at recent page visits and online searches, thus determining the specific interests and tastes of the individual and employing that information inside the ads.
• Apart from being annoying and invasive, programs like Rambler Search might also affect your machine’s performance. RAM and CPU spikes along with system instability and sudden freezes are not uncommon issues associated with Browser Hijackers.

Tips for future use

Here is our short list of useful guidelines that, when used in combination with one another, will greatly increase the level of protection that your PC has.

• Do not use shady download sources that aren’t trustworthy. When it comes to surfing the internet and downloading stuff, you should never compromise your PC’s security.
• Disallow the automatic download of files on all of your browsers. That way you will always know exactly what is about to be downloaded and if you think it looks potentially harmful, you can terminate the downloading process.
• When about to open a new e-mail or click on a link from a text message on some messenger platform, first make sure that the newly received message is not spam. If it looks shady and you think it might be some form of spam, do not interact with it.
• Last but not least, never use the Quick installation option when installing new programs. Always opt for the Advanced setup settings and see if there are any added applications to the main piece of software. If there is anything added and it looks like it might be a Hijacker, uncheck it so as to leave it out of the installation. Bear in mind that such file-bundles are currently one of the most effective ways of spreading Browser Hijackers.   

SUMMARY:

Name	Rambler Search
Type	Browser Hijacker
Danger Level	Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Symptoms	The usual symptoms of most Hijackers are changed browser homepage, frequent page redirects and the addition of a new search engine to the browser.
Distribution Method	You should be on the lookout for spam messages/emails, shady browser ads and software bundles.

Rambler Search Removal

I – Uninstallation

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1. Use the Winkey+R keyboard combination, write Control Panel in the search field and hit enter.
   
2. Go to Uninstall a program under Programs.
   
3. Seek the unwanted software, select it and then click on Uninstall
   1. If you are unable to spot Rambler Search, search for any unrecognized programs that you do not remember installing on your PC – the unwanted software might disguise itself by going under a different name.

II – Safe mode and revealing hidden files

1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode /link/
2. Reveal hidden files and folders /link/

III – Cleaning all your browsers

1. Go to your browser’s icon, right-click on it and select Properties.
   
2. Go to the Shortcut tab and in the Target make sure to delete anything written after “.exe”.
   
3. Now, open your browser and follow the instructions below depending on whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla or IE.

• Chrome users:

1. Go to your browser’s main menu located in the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down, click on Show Advanced Settings and then select Clear browsing data. Just to be sure, tick everything and clear the data.
   
3. Now, in the left pane, go to Extensions and look through all extensions that are integrated within your browser. If you notice any suspicious add-on, disable it and then remove it.
   

• Firefox users:

1. Similarly to Chrome, go to the main menu and select Add-ons and then Extensions.
2. Remove any suspicious browser extensions that you may have even if they do not have the name Rambler Search on them.

• IE users:

1. Go to Tools and select Manage add-ons.
   
2. Click on all add-on types from the left pane and check if there is anything suspicious in the right panel. In case you find anything shade, make sure to remove it.

IV – Removing Shady processes

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1. Go to your start menu, type Task Manager in the search field and from the results open View running processes with Task Manager.
   
2. Thoroughly look through all processes. The name Rambler Search might not be there, but if you notice any shady looking process that consumes high amounts of memory it might be ran by the unwanted program.
3. If you spot the process ran by Rambler Search, right-click on it, open its file location and delete everything in there. Then go back to the Task Manager and end the process.
   

V – DNS check

1. In the start menu search box write View Network Connections and open the first result.
   
2. Right-click on the network connection you are using and go to Properties.
   
3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
   
4. If Obtain DNS server addresses automatically is not checked, check it.
   
5. Go to Advanced and select the DNS If there is anything in the DNS server addresses field, remove it and click OK.
   
6. Click OK on the rest of the opened windows.