Sowin8.com Removal Guide

Do you know what Sowin8.com is?

Sowin8.com is a search engine that is distributed by freeware, or bundled setup files. The search engine is set as the home page of Internet browsers, which is usually done during a software installation process.Unsolicited changes might be made either without your permission, which would be considered a privacy breach, or by making you inadvertently agree with all the terms displayed. Cyber fraudsters are aware of users' lack of interest in the terms of use, so they add information about the so-called browser hijacker somewhere deep in the text so that they can get access to users' browser settings. If you are sure that you have skimmed through the terms when installing the latest freeware, the odds that the browser hijacker Sowin8.com found its way to the PC through other malware distribution channels.

Sowin8.com is categorized as a browser hijacker because of the way it gets on your computer. Moreover, this browser hijacker belongs to the ELEX family which also includes search engines such as youndoo.com, luckystarting.com, trotux.com, and some others. They work on the three major browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. The Windows Edge browser is likely to remain intact.

The search engine Sowin8.com does not have the characteristics typical of unreliable websites such as offensive or annoying web banners placed below the search box, or questionable built-in toolbars. Moreover, the search engine retrieves Google search-based results, which might not arouse any suspicion to computer users who browse the Internet from time to time. However, Sowin8.com does not have its terms of use and privacy policy. This implies that there might be something suspicious about the search engine. Not providing users with relevant information regarding their privacy while using the search engine should be taken into consideration. The dubious search engine should be evaluated critically, and our advice is that you remove Sowin8.com from the computer.Sowin8.com Removal GuideSowin8.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

In general, all search engines, including the leaders in the market, collect some information about their users. That information includes search queries, clicks, time spent on web pages, and other non-personally identifiable details. The data collected is used for setting new goals and creating new strategies, which is typically done to enhance users' experience. Even so, those search engines that are set as home pages of Internet browsers without asking the user's permission are very often used to deliver unreliable content aimed at deceiving unsuspecting users. Deception-oriented search engines might display all types of questionable advertisements and show some pre-modified search results page with purposely added malicious links. Search engines that seem to appear on the browser out of the blue should be removed once noticed so that the user's interaction with the engine does not lead to system malfunctions or data corruption. The search engine Sowin8.com may show some modified search results because browsers hijackers are built and spread for a reason.

In order to prevent different browsers hijackers and other threats, you should be more careful with freeware available on software sharing websites and networks. Software is very often distributed as a bundle, which means that in addition to your selected program you might be offered to install an additional program. Browser hijackers also spread via email, so you should pay attention to the sender and the content received. If you do not recognize the sender, or find the content or the attachment questionable, be wise: neither should you click on links in emails, nor should you download email attachments. Most important, you should keep the operating system protected, which is achieved by implementing reputable anti-malware software. If you want to be secure while browsing the Internet, use our recommended security program, which easily terminates malware threats of different types.

Below you will find a removal guide which will help you remove Sowin8.com manually. Only note that you tinker around the Windows registry at your own risk. A seemingly minor change with the registry may lead to an undesirable result, so be sure that you will manage to remove Sowin8.com successfully.

How to remove Sowin8.com

Internet Explorer

  1. Press Win+R and type in regedit. Click OK.
  2. Follow the path HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Start Page where Start Page is a registry value on the right side of the window. In the Data column, find http://sowin8.com and replace this URL with a new one which will be your startup page.
  3. Follow the path HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} and change the values given below by replacing the unwanted URL with a new URL.

FaviconURL REG_SZ
FaviconURLFallback REG_SZ
TopResultURL REG_SZ
URL REG_SZ

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Access the %AppData% directory and follow the path %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles[random numbers].
  2. Open the file prefs.js and find the line user_pref.
  3. Edit the line by replacing http://sowin8.com with a new URL.

Google Chrome

  1. Access %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
  2. Replace the unwanted URL in the following files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, Web Data.

In non-techie terms:

Sowin8.com is a browser hijacker which you should remove from the computer once you find that it has been set as your startup page. The browser hijacker may seem harmless because it provides Google search results. However, this fact is no proof that you can continue browsing the Internet safely. Taking immediate action to restore your former settings is highly advisable so that you can prevent adverse consequences.