Browser hijackers like Cactus Search can be a pain to deal with. Modern browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox can dodge them but still, some may slip through the cracks and take control of your browser settings.
Fortunately, it is not impossible to remove api.cactus-search.com from your device. Check out this guide on Cactus Search to learn more about this.
Contents
What is Cactus Search?
Cactus Search is a type of rogue software known as a browser hijacker. Simply put, it changes your search engine to cactus-search.com by modifying browser settings. It usually gets installed on a device via a browser extension or a program.
Cactus Search also has data tracking capabilities that can lead to privacy issues, financial loss, and identity theft.
How Do Browser Hijackers Work
Browser hijackers is a malware program that works by modifying web browser settings without the user’s permission. They assign fake searcher addresses as the homepage, default search engine, and URLs for new tabs/windows.
Browser hijackers are also known as browser redirect viruses, as they redirect the browser to malicious sites the user had not intended to visit. The aim here is partly to track the user’s information and partly to generate fraudulent advertising revenue for the hijacker.
This type of malware can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers and may even restrict or deny access to browser settings.
How to Remove api.cactus-search.com Browser Hijacker
Fortunately, you can remove api.cactus-search.com by finding and getting rid of the program from your computer.
Removing api.cactus-search.com From the Control Panel
Step 1
You can remove api.cactus-search.com from your device by using the Control Panel. For this, open the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features.
Step 2
Now, search for programs you didn’t install and look malicious. Right-click on them and then select Uninstall. Cactus Search will be removed from your device.
Removing api.cactus-search.com by Using Browser
Step 1
You can also remove api.cactus-search.com by resetting your browser back to its default settings. For Google Chrome, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Step 2
Choose Reset Settings and then click on Restore settings to their original defaults. You will be prompted to confirm your decision, so click on the Reset Settings button again to set Chrome back to its default settings.
Step 3
If you’re using Mozilla Firefox, you need to click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner. Select Help and then navigate to More Troubleshooting Information.
Step 4
Now, click on Refresh Firefox to change the browser to its default settings. Click again on Refresh Firefox in the confirmation prompt as the final step.
Step 5
Edge users need to click on the three dots at the top-right to remove api.cactus-search.com. Select Settings and click on Reset Settings on the left side.
Step 6
Now, select Restore settings to their default value to proceed further. Click on Reset on the confirmation prompt to remove api.cactus-search.com from Microsoft Edge.
Removing api.cactus-search.com by Using Malwarebytes
Step 1
Malwarebytes is a security tool you can use to get rid of Cactus Search. To get started, you need to install, download, and install the tool on your device.
Step 2
Next, launch Malwarebytes and click on the Scan button in the Scanner. It will do a full scan of your device and remove api.cactus-search.com and other suspicious programs.
Removing api.cactus-search.com Via a Rootkit
Step 1
You can manually enable Malwarebyte’s rootkit scan feature to get rid of Cactus Search. First, launch the app on your device and select Settings in the left corner.
Step 2
Click on Scan and Detections in the menu and then enable the toggle for Scan for rootkits. Now, return to the home screen and click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will perform a scan and remove all suspicious browser hijacker programs.
How to Avoid Installing Unwanted Apps
You should properly research every software before purchasing or downloading it. It is also better to download from official and verified sources to avoid the installation of unwanted apps. Free file-hosting sites and peer-to-peer sharing networks often have dubious or deceptive content.
Further, you should read the terms and opt out of supplementary apps, features, etc., while downloading/installing any software. Intrusive ads may seem harmless, but they can redirect you to suspicious web pages. It’s better to inspect your system and remove any dubious programs and extensions/plug-ins if you encounter any such ads.
