What is Pro Dark?
According to cyber threat analysts, Pro Dark is a browser extension that acts as a Browser hijacker. Browser hijacker is a kind of software that is designed to change the internet browser settings without the knowledge or permission of the computer user, and it usually redirects the affected system’s web browser to some advertisement-related websites. A browser hijacker initiates numerous pop-ups, installs multiple toolbars on the web-browser, redirects user web searches to its own web-page, generates multiple pop-up ads and alters the default web-browser search provider or homepage. If your computer has been affected by a browser hijacker you may need to perform manual steps or use a malware removal tool to revert changes made to your browsers.
Unwanted search ads
If your computer has been infected by the Pro Dark browser hijacker you’ll be forced to use its own search engine. It could seem not to be dangerous, but you still should be very careful, since it may show intrusive and harmful ads designed to mislead you into buying certain questionable apps or products, provide search results which can redirect your browser to some deceptive, misleading or malicious webpages. We advise that you use only the reliable search engine such as Google, Yahoo or Bing.
And finally, the Pro Dark hijacker can be used to gather lots of user data about you like what web pages you are opening, what you are looking for the Web and so on. This information, in the future, may be sold to third parties.
So, we recommend you get rid of Pro Dark from MS Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer as soon as possible. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full Pro Dark removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic solution listed below.
How can a browser hijacker get on your device
Browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs are usually distributed as part of other software and are often installed without notifying the owner of the computer. This happens especially when users are installing freeware. The freeware setup file tricks users into accepting the installation of third party software, which they don’t really want. Moreover, some paid apps can also install additional software which users don’t want! Therefore, always download free software and paid applications from reputable download web-sites. Use ONLY custom or manual install type and never blindly click Next button.
Threat Summary
| Name | Pro Dark |
| Type | browser hijacker, search provider hijacker, home page hijacker, PUP, redirect virus |
| Affected Browser Settings | newtab page URL, start page, search engine |
| Distribution | free applications setup files, fake updaters, misleading pop up ads |
| Symptoms | Adverts appear in places they shouldn’t be. Web-page links redirect to web-pages different from what you expected. Your personal computer starts automatically installing unwanted software. Unwanted browser toolbar(s) Your web browser settings are being altered without your request. |
| Removal | Pro Dark removal guide |
How to remove Pro Dark from PC
Without a doubt, the browser hijacker is harmful to your computer. So you need to quickly and completely delete this unwanted software. To get rid of the hijacker, you can use the manual removal guide that are given below or free malware removal tools like Zemana AntiMalware, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware or Hitman Pro (all are free). We advise you use automatic removal method that will help you to remove Pro Dark browser hijacker easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in personal computer or in the case where browser hijacker is not uninstalled automatically. Certain of the steps will require you to reboot your computer or exit this web page. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove Pro Dark, use the steps below:
How to manually remove Pro Dark
The useful removal instructions for Pro Dark. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to get rid of the hijacker let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Remove unwanted or newly added applications
In order to remove potentially unwanted applications like this browser hijacker, open the Microsoft Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed programs. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, browser hijacker or potentially unwanted applications. If yes, remove them off. Even if they are just a apps which you do not use, then removing them off will increase your PC system start up time and speed dramatically.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click the Windows button
, then press Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, press “Start” and select “Control Panel”.
It will show the Windows Control Panel as displayed in the following example.
Next, click “Uninstall a program” 
It will open a list of all software installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed apps, we recommend sort apps by date in the Control panel.
Get rid of Pro Dark hijacker from Internet Explorer
The IE reset is great if your web-browser is hijacked or you have unwanted extensions or toolbars on your web browser, which installed by a malicious software.
First, start the Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon 
. It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then click the “Internet Options” like the one below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, press the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as displayed on the image below.
When the procedure is complete, click “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and restart your device for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your internet browser’s home page, newtab page and search provider to default state.
Delete Pro Dark browser hijacker from Mozilla Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox settings such as search engine by default, home page and new tab have been modified by the browser hijacker, then resetting it to the default state can help. Essential information such as bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
First, open the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as displayed in the following example.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the Pro Dark hijacker. When, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Remove Pro Dark from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings will remove Pro Dark hijacker, restore newtab page and homepage, disable malicious addons. It will also clear cached and temporary data (cookies, site data and content). Keep in mind that resetting your browser will not remove your history, bookmarks, passwords, and other saved data.
- First start the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will display the Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed addons. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is complete, your web-browser’s default search provider, newtab page and start page will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of Pro Dark
Run malicious software removal tools to delete the browser hijacker automatically. The free software tools specially developed for browser hijacker, adware and other potentially unwanted applications removal. These utilities can remove most of hijacker from Firefox, Edge, Chrome and IE. Moreover, it can remove all components of Pro Dark from Windows registry and system drives.
Run Zemana AntiMalware to remove Pro Dark browser hijacker
Zemana highly recommended, because it can scan for security threats such hijacker and adware which most ‘classic’ antivirus software fail to pick up on. Moreover, if you have any Pro Dark browser hijacker removal problems which cannot be fixed by this utility automatically, then Zemana AntiMalware provides 24X7 online assistance from the highly experienced support staff.
Zemana AntiMalware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
164113 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After downloading is done, close all windows on your personal computer. Further, run the set up file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as displayed in the following example, press the “Yes” button.
It will display the “Setup wizard” that will allow you install Zemana on the device. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is complete successfully, Zemana will automatically launch and you may see its main window as shown on the image below.
Next, click the “Scan” button . Zemana application will scan through the whole computer for the Pro Dark browser hijacker.
When finished, Zemana Anti-Malware will show a scan report. Review the results once the tool has done the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply press “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-Malware will delete Pro Dark hijacker and move the selected threats to the Quarantine. Once that process is done, you can be prompted to reboot your device.
Remove Pro Dark hijacker from web-browsers with HitmanPro
Hitman Pro is a portable program which requires no hard install to identify and get rid of Pro Dark browser hijacker. The program itself is small in size (only a few Mb). Hitman Pro does not need any drivers and special dlls. It is probably easier to use than any alternative malicious software removal tools you’ve ever tried. HitmanPro works on 64 and 32-bit versions of Windows 10, 8, 7 and XP. It proves that removal tool can be just as effective as the widely known antivirus programs.
Visit the page linked below to download HitmanPro. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
Once downloading is done, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the HitmanPro desktop icon. Once the utility is opened, you will see a screen as shown on the image below.
Further, click “Next” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the Pro Dark hijacker. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. When finished, HitmanPro will produce a list of unwanted programs and hijacker like below.
Next, you need to click “Next” button. It will display a prompt, press the “Activate free license” button.
Use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to delete Pro Dark hijacker
We suggest using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware that are completely clean your computer of the hijacker. The free utility is an advanced malicious software removal application developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It is able to help you get rid of hijacker, potentially unwanted software, malicious software, adware, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your device for free.
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
326464 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes AntiMalware will try to update itself and when this task is finished, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the Pro Dark hijacker. This process can take some time, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted apps are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Review the results once the tool has done the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Quarantine” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malicious software removal utility, we suggest you to read and follow the step-by-step tutorial or the video guide below.
How to stop Pro Dark redirect
By installing an ad-blocking program like AdGuard, you’re able to stop Pro Dark redirects, block autoplaying video ads and get rid of lots of distracting and intrusive ads on web-pages.
- AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop or in any other place.
Adguard download
26659 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After downloading it, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the install is done, click “Skip” to close the install application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your device, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block Pro Dark redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading webpages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, which can be found on your desktop.
Finish words
We suggest that you keep Zemana (to periodically scan your PC for new hijackers and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block intrusive pop-ups and harmful web-sites). Moreover, to prevent any hijacker, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to locate PUPs.
If you need more help with Pro Dark related issues, go to here.
