The fact that a huge number of viruses are walking on the Internet, probably, no one needs to explain. Recently, advertising threats (browser hijackers) related to the Hijackers and Adware classes have become particularly active. One of these threats is the CiPlus application. What kind of program it is, how to get rid of it, it will be further described as detailed as possible. And for a start - a few words about the nature of the virus.
CiPlus: what is this program?
This virus is not just an advertising hijacker that fills browsers when visiting any resource with a huge amount of advertising; it can also steal confidential user information when deeply introduced into the system.
The program itself is justified in the form of additional software in the system itself, is implemented as an add-in to all web browsers without exception, changes the search engines and start pages installed by default, and also makes it impossible to surf the Internet, not to mention the increased load to system resources. However, the question of how to remove CiPlus has some simple solutions. To do this, you can use the operating system and third-party tools.
How to remove CiPlus 4.5 from a computer using antivirus scanners?
The simplest solution is to use antivirus scanners designed to detect these types of threats. Of course, many such tools cannot detect the presence of this applet during scanning (usually all threats of these classes have the status of trusted applications and even certificates of authenticity, which is why regular antiviruses do not respond to them).
However, based on statistical data, several scanners that have identified it can be advised to identify and neutralize the threat, among which are Dr. Web, Malwarebytes, Qihoo 360, Tencent, Eset, McAffee and others. But, as it is believed, even when using such utilities, the problem of how to remove CiPlus cannot be completely solved, if only because the virus can be modified.
Removal of the virus by system tools
Thus, in order to get rid of such a scourge, it is necessary to use manual removal (if other improvised means are not available). You should immediately pay attention that the threat in the system is not masked, and you can find it quite simply in the program and component section of the Control Panel.
To perform the standard procedure, the desired application is selected, after which the uninstall button is pressed or the corresponding command from the context menu is used.
Note: in some cases, if CiPlus is not removed, you must first terminate the active virus process in the "Task Manager" and remove it from the system startup list. Also, through the PCM on the process, you can find the program directory and unlock it using the Unlocker utility (in some assemblies of Windows 7 it is preinstalled).
Removal of residues
But the standard procedure by itself removes only the main components of the application, leaving a mountain of garbage (files, folders and registry keys) in the system. As already clear, the problem of how to remove CiPlus completely and permanently has not yet been resolved. The next step will be to call the registry editor (regedit) and the task of finding the keys corresponding to the remote application.
Enter the name of the program in the search field (Ctrl + F) and then delete all entries related to it, moving from one key to another by pressing the F3 key.
A search in the "Explorer" is set in a similar way, after which it is necessary to get rid of all the elements found (preferably even without placing it in the "Trash" - Shift + Del).
Finally, in all browsers, you need to change the search engines and start pages, remove panels or add-ons that are directly or indirectly related to the virus, and to simplify the task, simply reset the settings. After this, it is imperative to check the properties of the labels so that there are no additional posts in the line indicating the type of object after the name of the browser executable with the .exe extension. Only then can the system be rebooted.
Using uninstallers
But you can offer an alternative method to solve the problem of how to remove CiPlus, which consists in the use of uninstall programs that can get rid of even the system components of Windows. As an example, consider iObit Uninstaller.
The application in the running program can be found either immediately in the list of installed software, or in the section of browser panels. Next, select the applet, perform standard deletion by pressing the button with the trash can icon, start a powerful scan if it has not been activated immediately, and get rid of the remnants by first checking the box on the file destruction line. After this, you can restart (although this is usually not required).
Instead of a conclusion
As can be seen from the cited material, the removal of this threat does not involve any particular difficulties. But only if you deal with manual deletion, special attention should be paid to the remnants of the program and browser settings. The best option is the use of uninstallers with a system scan anti-advertising scanner after a reboot (just in case).