Remove 123rede “Virus” (Chrome/IE)

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In this article we are going to try and help you remove 123rede “Virus”. Our instructions cover all Windows versions as well as most browsers – Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox etc.

The to-be-discussed program 123rede belongs to a group of ad-generating software products – browser hijackers. Their main features are the same for every single representative of this software family: once installed, such software may provoke redirection to diverse web pages, mainly unfamiliar to the user. These programs could also set new search engines or homepages to all of your favorite browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer). The last very typical feature that all of these programs share is the distribution of a great number of online ads in the form of new browser tabs, pop-ups, banners, boxes, etc. Everything else about the infection with 123rede could be read below in out specialized article.

How a browser hijacker typically enters a system

You should know that there are many different sources of such ad-displaying programs. 123rede and its siblings could come from a torrent, a hyperlink or an infected website. However, there is one source that more of the hijacker distributers prefer to use and this is the so-called software bundling. Any bundle may contain a variety of programs – they could be Adware, hijackers, games, etc. Such bundles are usually distributed for free.

How does an infection with 123rede occur?

Downloading a bundle will not leave you infected, but improperly installing it most certainly will. The infection with any ad-generating program usually happens with your unknowing approval, resulting from choosing the wrong installation feature of the setup wizard. The features we do not recommend selecting are the following: quick, typical, automatic, default. The ones that we recommend that you choose instead are: custom or advanced. If you go with one from the group that we do NOT advise you to, you agree to install any program in the easiest possible way and as a result no details are given to you about what exactly you are installing. If you choose one from the group that we DO advise you to, in its EUCA you will read all the info that you need and you will have the option to select or deselect any program from the bundle.

Is 123rede a “Virus”?

Actually, no browser hijacker has ever been considered a virus. So to answer this question – 123Rede is not a virus. Usually these programs cause no substantial harm – they might just promote webpages, search engines and various other products. For example, if you get infected with a real virus (like a Ransomware-based or a Trojan-based one), you will end up being harassed for money, being unable to access some important data, being spied on or being robbed of something. None of this is possible when your system has been infected with a browser hijacker. Of course, such programs may be capable of causing emotional disturbance, as their activities may prevent you from browsing the web to your browser’s full capabilities. The pop-ups and banners might become too numerous and may start consuming substantial system resources, thus leaving your PC considerably slower than before the infection. Also, your surfing history might become subjected to research. Such research usually aims to determine your personal tastes. Then the program could begin to broadcast only the ads that match the established profile of your preferences. Still, no malicious activity has been reported to be caused by any ad-producing program.

Who and why develops programs like 123rede?

Browser hijackers as well as the other ad-broadcasting software are largely exploited by the marketing and advertising industry. That’s their main purpose: to advertise something and make it popular among users. Developers work side by side with manufacturers and producers to create the program that will promote the targeted goods in the best way. The truth is that marketing earns a lot of money both for the producers of goods and the creators of software that advertises them. And, of course, all pop-ups, redirecting and changes to the appearance of your browser are not against the law.

What about removing 123rede and staying away from it?

Both tasks are possible and can be achieved if you learn how to prevent your machine from any kind of contamination. First of all, go back to the above and read the right way of installing software and remember it. It is truly useful and will go a long way. Secondly, please do not visit any suspicious, shady websites on the Internet and do not download anything from them. Choose your sources carefully. Then, if problems occur, use only a tested guide to remove them. For 123rede, the uninstallation instructions are just below the table.

Remove 123rede “Virus” (Chrome/IE)

Many types of malware will restrict your access to their core files. It is highly recommended that you reboot your PC in safe mode before attempting to use this guide.

• To enable Safe Mode reboot you PC, then hit F8 repeatedly. When the corresponding menu opens please select Safe Mode with Networking.

WARNING! If you are using Windows 8,0 or later and/or your operating system is installed on a fast SSD drive this may fail to work. In this case click here to see how to start your PC in Safe Mode.

#1: Uninstall the malicious program from your control panel

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Enter control panel to look for any suspicious programs, which may have installed on your PC. To do that:

1. Navigate to your Desktop
2. Press simultaneously the Win button together with the R button (Win+R)
3. In the Run window that just opened type appwiz.cpl

4. Go through the list of programs and find 123rede or anything else that may seem suspicious. Right-click on it and choose the uninstallation option

WARNING! Carefully read any confirmation messages that may be created in the process. Sometimes you may get offers to download more Adware applications and this can be linked to either the Yes or the No answer depending on the wording!

• Optional:

Go through the list of programs again and check online for any potentially unwanted programs. We have an article that covers this awesome free software that makes sure that your computer is free from bloatware and programs that you don’t need.

#2: Remove 123rede From Chrome

Now we’ll remove the extensions that the malware has attached to your browser.

1. Open your Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/  in the URL address bar and press Enter.
3. Click on “Developer Mode” on the top right and look for the extension installed by 123rede and anything that might be related to it. Copy their IDs (the string of letters), then remove them by clicking on the trash bin icon.

1. Type Regedit in the Windows Start Menu and press Enter. Go in : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions and delete the entries corresponding to the suspicious IDs you recorded.

#3: Remove 123rede From Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type “about:support” in the URL address bar and press Enter.
3. Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button on the right and confirm.

#4 Remove 123rede From Internet Explorer

1. Open your Internet Explorer internet browser.
2. Click on the Gear icon on the up right, then on manage add-ons.
3. Go through the list disable any suspicious extensions.

#5 Remove any leftover parasitic processes

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From the task manager:

1. Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open the Task manager, then click on the Processes
2. Go through the list of processes and look for unknown or otherwise suspicious entries.
3. If you see anything suspicious right click on the process and shoes Open File Location, then terminate the process and delete any files you find in the directory.

WARNING! If the directory you open from this menu has no files inside of it it’s probably because the malware has hidden them. You need to reveal hidden files and folders in order to be able to see them. Click here if you don’t know how to do that.

From the start menu:

1. Press simultaneously the Win button together with the R button (Win+R)
2. In the Run window that just opened type msconfig
3. Click on the Startup tab.

This menu controls which programs are loaded when windows starts after a reboot. Disable anything that seems suspicious. Optionally you can also disable any program that you don’t need and also has a high impact on your startup time.

Feel free to write to us in the comment section with any questions that you may have. Also if we have been helpful to you please share this article to help us reach more people like you.