Do you know what ScanGoogle.ru is?
ScanGoogle.ru is a browser hijacker. It is a computer security threat that comes forth as a supposedly useful search engine. Needless to say, there is nothing useful about this domain, and the program is there to make some money out of you. Luckily, it is not a ransomware infection, so it cannot hold your computer hostage hoping you would give away your money. However, in the long run, a browser hijacker could accidentally expose you to similar infections, so you need to take of this problem in its earlier stages and remove ScanGoogle.ru as soon as possible.
The good thing about browser hijackers (if there’s anything good them in the first place), is that it will not play hide and seek with you. ScanGoogle.ru does not hide its presence, and you will know immediately that there is an intruder on your computer because it will change your default homepage and search engine settings. The browser hijacker affects Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer, so you can be sure that you will be affected by this intruder if it finds its way onto your computer. When the program gets installed, the next time you open your browser, you will be automatically redirected to the ScanGoogle.ru domain.
Why does this program enter your computer? As mentioned previously, the main objective of this browser hijacker is money. However, ScanGoogle.ru will not try to steal your personal information or your credit card details. It generates a financial profit in another way. The browser hijacker displays third-party commercial advertisements. It provides advertising space for whoever needs it, and if users click those advertisements, the clicks generate a profit for ScanGoogle.ru. This is called the pay-per-click system, and you get employed by it, too. However, you do not get anything in return.
ScanGoogle.ru screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The system itself is not dangerous. It is actually used very often by almost any entity in the cyber space, especially if they want to monetize their cyber activity. However, the problem is that the system is quite vulnerable to third-party exploitations, especially if it is employed by browser hijackers, adware programs, and other types of software apps that have several security loopholes in their privacy policies. In other words, ScanGoogle.ru may not try to infect you with malware, but it could end up doing that accidentally. Some of the ads it displays could be embedded with corrupted outgoing links, and clicking them would redirect you to malicious websites. From there, you would be only a click away from an actual malware infection.
Of course, it would be the best if you avoided this intruder altogether. It is actually quite easy to stay away from ScanGoogle.ru and similar programs if you refrain from downloading apps from file-sharing websites. Third-party software installers often bundle several programs in one, and users automatically set them up on their computers, if they just skip to the end of the installation. Normally, it is possible to deselect the unnecessary programs when you go through the installation. But if you fail to read the steps, then it is no surprise that ScanGoogle.ru and other unnecessary apps enter your PC.
As you can probably tell, this browser hijacker and other associated apps are not immediate computer threats, but they could grow into something nasty if left untreated. For instance, cyber criminals could make use of the hijacker’s advertising space to distribute their dangerous program. Of course, that is not to say that ScanGoogle.ru wants to infect you with malware. The hijacker does not care about it. It simply needs to make money, and malevolent third parties will surely make use of this vulnerability if they can.
So, to protect your personal information and your computer from malicious exploitation, you will do yourself a favor if you remove ScanGoogle.ru today. For that, you will have to reset your browser settings to default. We have compiled a list of guidelines on that for each browser.
As far as other unwanted applications are concerned, you can scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner and then delete them automatically. What’s more, by investing in a reliable antispyware tool you will save yourself the trouble of dealing with such intruders by yourself in the future.
How to Delete ScanGoogle.ru
Internet Explorer
- Press Alt+T and select Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab and press Reset.
- Mark Delete personal settings and click Reset.
- Click Close.
Firefox
- Press Alt+H and press Troubleshooting information.
- Press the Refresh Firefox on the new tab.
- Click Refresh Firefox again and press Finish.
Chrome
- Press Alt+F and select Settings.
- Press Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page.
- Scroll down and press Reset settings.
- Click Reset to confirm.
In non-techie terms:
ScanGoogle.ru will look like your regular search engine, but the truth is that this application will collect information on your web browsing habits to make money out if it. It could even redirect you to dangerous websites that have installations for malicious programs. Needless to say, you need to avoid that by removing ScanGoogle.ru today. After you get rid of this browser hijacker, please make sure that your computer is protected against similar intruders.