Opera hakt searchknow

[kidfusion3000]

kidfusion3000 last edited by

an extension was installed by some program I downladed. I removed the extension but the hack is still in place. I've used several reputable anti-malware programs including windows defender, Malwarebytes, spybot, none of them are finding the problem. I used a program i'd never heard of called plumbware which claims I've got searchknow.adware I believe it because opera was opening new windows when I clicked links. links I know don't contain pop up links. of course plumbware wanted money. i'd rather reformat. I removed opera but the problem persists because when I reinstall opera it happens again.

MS Edge seems to work fine. but i'd like to get opera working again. has anyone experienced this and found a solution?

[leocg]

leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by

And the malware was removed from your computer? If it's still there, un-installing and re-installing Opera will not help.

If you search for 'searchknow' on Google, you will find some ways to remove it.

[blackbird71]

blackbird71 last edited by

Searchknow is a rather complex system and browser infector that typically requires multiple sequential steps to remove successfully. Because Searchknow arrives by bundling with another user-downloaded installation-based program, it is actually installed into the victim system using typical full-system privileges. This makes it harder to remove than some typical drive-by infection vacuumed up by a browser. One of Searchknow's system infection elements automatically acts to interfere with various 'normal' attempts at removing Searchknow, so you're probably going to have to kill that off using a special program (eg: Rkill) before you can get anything else permanently accomplished.

There's an excellent write-up at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/search-know-ads-removal-guide which explains how the infection occurs and all the 25 or so steps that need to be done to be certain to totally remove the infection. It will involve you using a variety of free download tools, all of which are known to be reputable (as is the Bleeping Computer site itself).