To get rid of an MSN redirect virus, you need to systematically address potential infection points in your system and web browsers. This type of malware often alters browser settings, injects unwanted ads, or redirects your searches to specific, often malicious, websites including MSN.com or similar search pages.
Understanding the MSN Redirect Virus
An MSN redirect virus is typically a type of browser hijacker or adware. It's not a traditional virus that damages files, but rather software that modifies your browser's behavior without your consent. Its primary goal is often to generate revenue through forced ad views or by driving traffic to specific sites. This can manifest as your homepage changing, new tabs opening to unwanted sites, or search results consistently redirecting you to MSN.com or other unexpected pages.
Comprehensive Steps to Remove MSN Redirect Virus
Successfully removing an MSN redirect virus requires a multi-step approach that targets various components it might have altered. Follow these steps to regain control of your browser and system:
1. Scan with AdwCleaner
AdwCleaner is a highly effective free tool designed to detect and remove adware, unwanted toolbars, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and browser hijackers like redirect viruses.
- Download AdwCleaner: Obtain the legitimate version from its official source (e.g., Malwarebytes AdwCleaner).
- Run a Scan: Launch the application and click "Scan Now."
- Quarantine/Remove: After the scan completes, review the detected items and click "Quarantine" to remove them. You may need to restart your computer.
2. Check Recently Installed Applications
Browser hijackers often come bundled with other software or disguise themselves as legitimate programs. Reviewing and uninstalling suspicious applications is a crucial step.
- Access Program List:
- Windows: Go to
Settings
>Apps
>Apps & features
(Windows 10/11) orControl Panel
>Programs
>Programs and Features
(older Windows versions). - macOS: Open
Finder
, go toApplications
.
- Windows: Go to
- Identify and Uninstall: Look for any unfamiliar programs, especially those installed around the time the redirects started. Common culprits include "web advisors," "search assistants," or any application you don't recall installing. Uninstall them.
3. Clear Browsing Data
Browser hijackers can leave persistent data like cookies, cached files, and altered settings within your browser. Clearing this data helps remove residual traces of the infection.
- Google Chrome:
- Click the three-dot menu
⋮
>More tools
>Clear browsing data
. - Select "All time" for the time range.
- Check "Browsing history," "Cookies and other site data," and "Cached images and files."
- Click "Clear data."
- Click the three-dot menu
- Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the three-line menu
☰
>Settings
>Privacy & Security
. - Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and click "Clear Data...". Check both options and click "Clear."
- Below that, under "History," click "Clear History..." Select "Everything" for time range and check relevant items. Click "OK."
- Click the three-line menu
- Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three-dot menu
...
>Settings
>Privacy, search, and services
. - Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear."
- Select "All time" for time range, check all relevant boxes (history, cookies, cached data).
- Click "Clear now."
- Click the three-dot menu
4. Reset Browser Settings
This is often the most effective way to undo all unwanted changes made by the redirect virus to your browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab page.
- Google Chrome:
- Click the three-dot menu
⋮
>Settings
. - Scroll down to "Reset settings" in the left pane (or search for it).
- Click "Restore settings to their original defaults" and then "Reset settings."
- Click the three-dot menu
- Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the three-line menu
☰
>Help
>More troubleshooting information
. - Under "Give Firefox a tune up," click "Refresh Firefox..." and confirm.
- Click the three-line menu
- Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three-dot menu
...
>Settings
. - In the left pane, click "Reset settings."
- Click "Restore settings to their default values" and confirm.
- Click the three-dot menu
5. Change Your DNS Settings
Malicious software can sometimes alter your computer's DNS (Domain Name System) settings to redirect your internet traffic. Changing to a reputable DNS server can help bypass these redirects.
- Windows:
- Right-click the Start button >
Network Connections
. - Click
Change adapter options
. - Right-click your active connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) >
Properties
. - Select
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
and clickProperties
. - Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
- Enter public DNS servers like Google DNS (Preferred:
8.8.8.8
, Alternate:8.8.4.4
) or Cloudflare DNS (Preferred:1.1.1.1
, Alternate:1.0.0.1
). - Click "OK" twice.
- Right-click the Start button >
- macOS:
- Go to
Apple menu
>System Settings
(orSystem Preferences
). - Click
Network
. - Select your active connection, then click
Details...
(orAdvanced...
). - Go to the
DNS
tab. - Click the
+
button to add new DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and remove any suspicious ones. - Click "OK" or "Apply."
- Go to
6. Block the Site in Your Hosts File
The hosts
file on your computer maps domain names to IP addresses. A redirect virus might modify this file to force redirects to specific websites, even if you type in a different URL.
- Locate the Hosts File:
- Windows:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- macOS/Linux:
/etc/hosts
- Windows:
- Edit the Hosts File:
- Open Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS) as an administrator (right-click on the app and select "Run as administrator").
- In the text editor, go to
File
>Open
. - Navigate to the
hosts
file location. You might need to change the file type filter to "All Files" to see it. - Look for any suspicious entries that point to MSN.com or other unwanted websites. These might look like:
127.0.0.1 msn.com
. - Add a
#
at the beginning of any suspicious line to disable it, or delete the line entirely. - Save the file. If you cannot save, ensure you opened the text editor with administrative privileges.
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively remove the MSN redirect virus and restore your browser's normal functionality.