Ciantel.com Redirect

What is ciantel.com?

Similar to initdex.com, defendsearch.com, and many others, ciantel.com is a fake search engine that, according to the developers, enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites.

On initial inspection, ciantel.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote this site using rogue download/installation set-ups designed to modify browser options without consent. In addition, ciantel.com continually records information relating to browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups typically target popular browsers including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. After successful infiltration, set-ups assign the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to ciantel.com. In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of third party applications and/or browser plug-ins.

These so-called "helper objects" reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. Ultimately, users are encouraged to visit ciantel.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.

Be aware that "helper objects" and ciantel.com continually track browsing activity by gathering various user-system information. The list of collected data usually includes IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and search queries, however, personal information might also be recorded.

Furthermore, developers share the information with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people aim to generate as much revenue as possible by misusing private information. This can lead to privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, if you encounter redirects to ciantel.com, immediately remove all dubious applications/browser add-ons and never return to this site.

Threat Summary:

Name	ciantel.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Symptoms	Manipulated internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

The internet is full of fake search engines, all of which are very similar. By offering "useful features", fake search engines attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, they are designed only to help developers generate revenue. Rather than giving any real value, websites such as ciantel.com cause unwanted redirects and gather information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy.

Be aware that some fake search engines generate false results and intrusive advertisements, most of which redirect to malicious websites. Thus, using any fake search engine can lead to various system infections.

How did ciantel.com install on my computer?

As mentioned, ciantel.com is promoted via browser-hijacking set-ups. This method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often skip most download/installation steps. Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation procedures.

By rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently allow set-ups to apply changes, thereby exposing their systems to risk of various infections and compromising their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Many potentially unwanted applications are proliferated using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements that redirect to rogue websites and run scripts designed to download/install software. To prevent this situation, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the internet.

Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of additionally-included programs. Download apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus these tools should never be used.

Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, once clicked they often redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. They are usually delivered by adware-type applications. If you encounter these ads, immediately check the list of installed applications/browser plug-ins and remove all suspicious entries.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is ciantel.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove ciantel.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove ciantel.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ciantel.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove ciantel.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

ciantel.com redirect removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the ciantel.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

ciantel.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://ciantel.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "ciantel.com".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ciantel.com browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ciantel.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "ciantel.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ciantel.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove all recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://ciantel.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "ciantel.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ciantel.com browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ciantel.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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