The Search sidecubes is classified as hijacker. When your system is infected by the browser hijacker, the Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and Edge internet browser’s settings such as start page, new tab and search engine by default may be changed by this hijacker without permission. Whenever you open the web browser, the Search sidecubes appears as your home page instead of your previous startpage.
The Search sidecubes browser hijacker virus can also change the default search engine that will virtually block the possibility of finding information on the World Wide Web. The reason for this is that the Search sidecubes search results can display tons of ads, links to unwanted and ad web pages. Only the remaining part is the result of your search request, loaded from the major search providers like Google, Yahoo or Bing.
Table of contents
- What is Search sidecubes
- How to remove Search sidecubes from computer
- How to delete Search sidecubes virus without any software
- Delete Search sidecubes associated software by using MS Windows Control Panel
- Fix infected web browsers shortcuts to get rid of Search sidecubes virus
- Remove Search sidecubes from FF by resetting web-browser settings
- Remove Search sidecubes from Chrome
- Remove Search sidecubes search from Internet Explorer
- Search sidecubes startpage automatic removal
- How to delete Search sidecubes virus without any software
- Use AdBlocker to stop Search sidecubes and stay safe online
- How to avoid install of Search sidecubes hijacker virus
- To sum up
The Search sidecubes hijacker virus may alter settings of installed web-browsers, but often that the unwanted software can also infect all types of browsers by changing their desktop shortcuts. Thus forcing the user to see Search sidecubes annoying site every time launch the internet browser.
Often, the system that has been infected with Search sidecubes hijacker virus, will be also infected with adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software) which shows a huge number of various ads. It can be pop-ups, text links in the web pages, banners where they never had. What is more, the adware can replace the legitimate ads with malicious ads which will offer to download and install malware and unwanted applications or visit the various dangerous and misleading web-pages.
We strongly recommend that you perform the step by step tutorial below that will allow you to remove Search sidecubes virus using the standard features of Windows and some proven free software.
How to remove Search sidecubes from computer
As with removing adware, malicious software or potentially unwanted applications, there are few steps you can do. We recommend trying them all. If you do only one part of the guide, then it should be run malware removal utility, because it should remove browser hijacker infection and block any further infection. But to completely delete the Search sidecubes virus you will have to at least reset your web browser settings such as homepage, new tab and search provider by default to default state, disinfect computer’s internet browsers shortcuts, uninstall all unwanted and suspicious software, and remove hijacker with malicious software removal utilities. Certain of the steps below will require you to close the site. So, please read the guidance carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.
How to delete Search sidecubes virus without any software
Most common hijackers may be removed without any antivirus applications. The manual browser hijacker removal is post guidance that will teach you how to remove the Search sidecubes hijacker virus.
Delete Search sidecubes associated software by using MS Windows Control Panel
The best way to begin the machine cleanup is to delete unknown and suspicious programs. Using the Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded applications can clean up the Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and Edge from advertisements hijackers and so on.
Press Windows button , then click Search . Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will open the Windows Control Panel as shown in the figure below.
Further, click “Uninstall a program”
It will display a list of all programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown software.
Fix infected web browsers shortcuts to get rid of Search sidecubes virus
Now you need to clean up the internet browser shortcuts. Check that the shortcut referring to the right exe-file of the web-browser, and not on any unknown file.
Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut that you use to run your web browser. Next, select the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the web browser that is re-directed to the Search sidecubes or other unwanted page.
Further, necessary to look at the text that is written in the “Target” field. The browser hijacker can rewrite the contents of this field, which describes the file to be launch when you start your web browser. Depending on the browser you are using, there should be:
- Google Chrome: chrome.exe
- Opera: opera.exe
- Firefox: firefox.exe
- Internet Explorer: iexplore.exe
If you are seeing an unknown text similar “http://site.addres” which has been added here, then you should remove it, like below.
Next, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you open the web-browser from this desktop shortcut, it does not occur automatically redirect on the Search sidecubes web-site or any other unwanted sites. Once the step is done, we recommend to go to the next step.
Remove Search sidecubes from FF by resetting web-browser settings
Resetting your Firefox is first troubleshooting step for any issues with your web browser application, including the redirect to Search sidecubes web-page.
Press the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as shown below.
A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, press “Refresh Firefox” button as shown on the image below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to revert back your Firefox internet browser settings to its original state.
Remove Search sidecubes from Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings is a easy way to delete the hijacker, malicious and adware extensions, as well as to recover the browser’s new tab, home page and search provider by default that have been replaced by hijacker.
- First, run the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will display the Google Chrome main menu, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Show advanced settings” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset settings dialog box as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the web browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove Search sidecubes search from Internet Explorer
The IE reset is great if your internet browser is hijacked or you have unwanted addo-ons or toolbars on your internet browser, which installed by an malware.
First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer. Next, press the button in the form of gear (). It will display the Tools drop-down menu, press the “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as shown on the image below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Search sidecubes startpage automatic removal
If your computer is still infected with the Search sidecubes browser hijacker virus, then the best way of detection and removal is to run an anti malware scan on the system. Download free malicious software removal tools below and run a full system scan. It will allow you delete all components of the browser hijacker infection from hardisk and Windows registry.
Run Zemana Anti-malware to remove hijacker
You can delete Search sidecubes virus automatically with a help of Zemana Anti-malware. We recommend this malware removal tool because it can easily delete hijackers, potentially unwanted applications, ad supported software and toolbars with all their components such as folders, files and registry entries.
Download Zemana antimalware from the link below.
164101 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Once the downloading process is finished, start it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana antimalware will try to update itself and when this process is complete, press the “Scan” button to start checking your computer for the Sidecubes hijacker virus which cause a redirect to Search sidecubes page.
This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malware. In order to delete all items, simply click “Next” button.
The Zemana anti-malware will start removing all detected folders, files, services and registry entries.
Run Malwarebytes to remove Search sidecubes virus
Remove Search sidecubes browser hijacker virus manually is difficult and often the hijacker infection is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to use the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your personal computer. Moreover, the free program will help you to remove malware, potentially unwanted applications, toolbars and adware that your personal computer can be infected too.
Download Malwarebytes Free from the link below.
326456 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After the download is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Malwarebytes will try to update itself and when this procedure is finished, press the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan for the Search sidecubes hijacker virus that redirects your internet browser to the Search sidecubes intrusive web-page. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the application is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat. Next, you need to press “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes is a free application that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malware removal utility, we recommend you to read and follow the guide or the video guide below.
If the problem with Search sidecubes start page is still remained
AdwCleaner is a free portable application that scans your PC system for adware, potentially unwanted applications and browser hijackers like Search sidecubes and allows remove them easily. Moreover, it will also help you delete any malicious web browser extensions and add-ons.
Download AdwCleaner tool by clicking on the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
When the download is finished, open the file location and double-click the AdwCleaner icon. It will launch the AdwCleaner tool and you will see a screen as on the image below. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to open the application, click Yes button to continue.
Next, click “Scan” to perform a system scan with this utility for the Search sidecubes hijacker virus and other malicious software and ‘ad supported’ software. This process may take some time, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malware.
When it completes the scan is complete, it will open a list of detected threats as shown on the image below.
Make sure all entries have ‘checkmark’ and click “Clean” button. It will display a prompt. Click “OK” to begin the cleaning process. Once the clean-up is finished, the AdwCleaner may ask you to reboot your PC system. After reboot, the AdwCleaner will display the log file.
All the above steps are shown in detail in the following video instructions.
Use AdBlocker to stop Search sidecubes and stay safe online
Run an ad blocker tool like AdGuard will protect you from harmful advertisements and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web pages. Additionally, adblocker software will help you to avoid annoying pop-up advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.
Download AdGuard program by clicking on the following link.
26655 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the image below.
Follow the prompts. When the install is done, you will see a window as shown below.
You can click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and block advertisements, as well as other malicious or misleading sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that may be found on your desktop.
How to avoid install of Search sidecubes hijacker virus
The Search sidecubes hijacker virus usually is bundled with various free applications. Most commonly, it can be bundled within the installation packages from Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar pages. So, you should run any files downloaded from the Web with great caution, read the User agreement, Software license and Terms of use. In the process of installing a new application, you should select a Manual, Advanced or Custom installation mode to control what components and optional software to be installed, otherwise you run the risk of infecting your machine with an hijacker such as Search sidecubes.
To sum up
Now your PC should be free of the Search sidecubes virus. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop up ads and annoying harmful web pages) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijacker, harmful programs and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove Search sidecubes startpage from your web browser, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.