Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is searches.network?

searches.network is a fake search engine which displays results generated by webcrawler.com, another bogus search engine. Research shows that searches.network is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker that users often install through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by modifying certain browser settings. Note that they are categorized as PUAs, since users often download and install them unintentionally.

What is VirtualDeskSearch?

VirtualDeskSearch is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, this app runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifies browser settings to promote bogus search engines. Most adware infections and browser hijackers gather browsing-related data, and it is highly likely that VirtualDeskSearch does so as well.

Since most users download/install VirtualDeskSearch inadvertently, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One dubious technique used to distribute this application is through fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that bogus software updaters/installers also proliferate malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware, etc.).

What is gooogle.page?

gooogle.page is the address of a fake search engine, which is promoted through a browser hijacker called Palo APP. In most cases, these apps promote fake search engines by changing browser settings, however, research shows that this particular app does not necessarily change them to promote gooogle.page.

Note that, in most cases, users download and install browser hijackers inadvertently and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Furthermore, these apps often record data.

What is the Mist Stealer?

Mist is a malicious program classified as a stealer. This malware exfiltrates (i.e., steals) various sensitive information. The Mist stealer primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets, saved log-in credentials (usernames and passwords), certain browsing information and data stored in specific locations on the infected system.

This piece of malicious software is dangerous and can lead to serious issues.

What is the "ERROR CODE 72" scam?

"ERROR CODE 72" is a scam run on deceptive web pages. It has been observed being promoted using azurewebsites[.]net - Microsoft Azure website-hosting platform. "ERROR CODE 72" is classified as a technical support scam. This scheme claims that the device has been infected with several high-risk viruses and urges users to call a fake tech support line.

No website can detect threats/issues present on systems, and those that make such claims are scams. Few visitors to deceptive/scam web pages access them intentionally - most are redirected to them by intrusive advertisements or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already installed on the system.

What is LookWebResults?

LookWebResults is adware and a browser hijacker - it feeds users with ads and changes browser settings to the address of a fake search engine.

Apps such as LookWebResults often collect data. Adware and browser hijackers are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since users tend to download and install them unintentionally. This particular app is distributed via a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

What is VikroStealer?

VikroStealer is malicious software which is used by cyber criminals to steal various sensitive information. Research shows that this malware can be purchased on hacker forums for $39.99, $59.99 or $89.99 (depending on the subscription type).

The programs runs stealthily in the system background, and therefore victims may be unaware of this computer infection until stolen data has already been misused for malicious purposes.

What is Track Package Tab?

Track Package Tab is a browser hijacker which changes certain browser settings to trackpackagetab.com, the address of a fake search engine. Commonly, apps of this type gather data relating to browsing activities. Many users download and install browser hijackers unintentionally and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

What is Pywdu?

Pywdu is malicious software belonging to the Snatch ransomware family. Systems infected with this malware experience data encryption and users receive ransom demands for decryption. During the encryption process, files are appended with the ".pywdu" extension.

Therefore, after encryption, a file originally named "1.jpg" would appear as something similar to "1.jpg.pywdu", and so on for all affected files. After this process is complete, ransom messages (within "RESTORE_PYWDU_DATA.txt" files) are dropped into compromised folders.

What is Gomer?

Discovered by dnwls0719, Gomer is a new variant of Outsider ransomware. It renames encrypted files by appending the ".gomer" extension. For example, it would change "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.gomer", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.gomer". etc. It also drops the "GOMER-README.txt" text file (ransom message) in each folder containing encrypted files.