How to remove Alpha Shoppers Search [Virus removal guide]

Computer security professionals has determined that Alpha Shoppers Search is a new virus from the big family of browser hijackers. The so-called browser hijacker is created to manipulate your browser’s settings such as new tab page, start page and search provider, to modify your homepage or search provider, so that the affected internet browser visits an unwanted web-site instead of your selected one. In the few simple steps below, we’ll explain all the general features of the Alpha Shoppers Search browser virus and it’s typical behavior on the machine, as well as effective methods of removing Alpha Shoppers Search from your Firefox, IE, MS Edge and Chrome.

The browser virus can also set up the Alpha Shoppers Search as the Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge default search engine that cause search redirections via the web page. In this way, creators of the virus have an opportunity to display various advertisements together with the search results for your query. These undesired ads will be summarized in the redirected web page. This can bring a large number of revenue for developers of the virus.

Some hijacker viruses also contain ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware) that has the ability to display unwanted ads or gather lots of personal info about you which can be sold to third party companies. These undesired ads can be shown in the form of pop-unders, pop-ups, in-text ads, video ads, text links or banners or even massive full page advertisements. Most of the adware is created to open ads, but some ‘ad supported’ software is form of spyware that often used to track users to collect a wide variety of your personal information.

The Alpha Shoppers Search virus makes various changes to settings of browsers mostly affects only Chrome, Firefox, Edge and IE. However, possible situations, when any other web browsers will be affected too. The Alpha Shoppers Search virus may change the Target property of internet browser’s shortcuts, so every time you open the web browser, instead of your start page, you will see a completely different page.

So, it’s very important to free your system of virus ASAP. The step by step guide, which is shown below, will assist you to get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from the Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Microsoft Edge and other web browsers.

Remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus (removal guide)

Without a doubt, the virus is harmful to your system. So you need to quickly and completely remove this malware. To delete this browser virus, you can use the manual removal steps that are given below or free malicious software removal tool like Zemana, MalwareBytes Free or HitmanPro (all are free). We recommend you use automatic removal solution which will allow you to get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in PC or in the case where virus is not removed automatically. Some of the steps below will require you to exit this website. So, please read the instructions carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.

To remove Alpha Shoppers Search, complete the following steps:

1. Manual Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus removal
   • Delete Alpha Shoppers Search associated software by using Windows Control Panel
   • Fix infected internet browsers shortcuts to delete Alpha Shoppers Search redirect
   • Remove Alpha Shoppers Search virus from Chrome
   • Get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search virus from IE
   • Remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from Firefox
2. Scan your PC and remove Alpha Shoppers Search with free utilities
   • Scan and clean your PC system of Alpha Shoppers Search with Zemana Free
   • Remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from web browsers with HitmanPro
   • Delete Alpha Shoppers Search virus with Malwarebytes
3. Block Alpha Shoppers Search and other undesired websites
4. How can you prevent your machine from the attack of Alpha Shoppers Search hijacker virus
5. Finish words

Manual Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus removal

Most common hijackers may be deleted without any antivirus applications. The manual browser virus removal is step by step guidance that will teach you how to remove the Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus.

Delete Alpha Shoppers Search associated software by using Windows Control Panel

First method for manual browser hijacker virus removal is to go into the Microsoft Windows “Control Panel”, then “Uninstall a program” console. Take a look at the list of apps on your PC and see if there are any suspicious and unknown software. If you see any, you need to remove them. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Net search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware or malicious software, you will likely find information that says so.

Make sure you have closed all web-browsers and other apps. Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together to open the Microsoft Windows Task Manager.

Click on the “Processes” tab, look for something dubious that is the browser hijacker which designed to redirect your browser to the Alpha Shoppers Search web-site then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. In most cases, malware masks itself to avoid detection by imitating legitimate MS Windows processes. A process is particularly suspicious: it’s taking up a lot of memory (despite the fact that you closed all of your applications), its name is not familiar to you (if you’re in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for its name in Google, Yahoo or Bing).

Next, remove any unknown and suspicious applications from your Control panel.

Windows 10, 8.1, 8

Now, press the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Select “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.

Look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most likely, one of them is the browser hijacker responsible for redirections to Alpha Shoppers Search. Select the questionable program or the program that name is not familiar to you and delete it.

Windows Vista, 7

From the “Start” menu in Windows, select “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, select “Uninstall a program”.

Choose the dubious or any unknown software, then click “Uninstall/Change” button to uninstall this unwanted program from your machine.

Windows XP

Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.

Select an unwanted program, then click “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.

Fix infected internet browsers shortcuts to delete Alpha Shoppers Search redirect

Unfortunately, the Alpha Shoppers Search virus, can also hijack Windows shortcuts (mostly, your browsers shortcut files), so that the Alpha Shoppers Search will be opened when you start the Chrome, MS Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer or another web-browser.

Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut which you use to start your internet browser. Next, choose the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the browser that is rerouted to the Alpha Shoppers Search or other annoying webpage.

Further, necessary to look at the text which is written in the “Target” field. The Alpha Shoppers Search virus can modify the contents of this field, which describes the file to be launch when you open your web-browser. Depending on the web-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 such as “http://site.addres” which has been added here, then you should remove it, as displayed on the image below.

Next, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you launch the internet browser from this desktop shortcut file, it does not occur automatically redirect on the Alpha Shoppers Search or any other intrusive pages. Once the step is finished, we recommend to go to the next step.

Remove Alpha Shoppers Search virus from Chrome

Run the Reset internet browser utility of the Chrome to reset all its settings like home page, search provider and newtab page to original defaults. This is a very useful utility to use, in the case of browser hijacks such as Alpha Shoppers Search.

1. First start the Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
2. It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
3. You’ll see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
4. Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
5. You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Advanced” link.
6. Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
7. The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
8. Next click the “Reset” button.
9. Once this process is finished, your web browser’s search engine by default, startpage and new tab will be restored to their original defaults.
10. To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.

Get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search virus from IE

First, run the Internet Explorer, click ) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.

In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Internet Explorer will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.

You will now need to reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect. It will remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect, disable malicious and ad-supported web-browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings such as search provider by default, new tab and start page to default state.

Remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from Firefox

If the Mozilla Firefox web browser application is hijacked, then resetting its settings can help. The Reset feature is available on all modern version of Mozilla Firefox. A reset can fix many issues by restoring Mozilla Firefox settings such as newtab page, home page and search provider by default to its default state. It’ll save your personal information like saved passwords, bookmarks, and open tabs.

Run the Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will show the slide-out menu.

Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below.

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The FF will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the hijacker that cause a redirect to Alpha Shoppers Search. After, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.

Scan your PC and remove Alpha Shoppers Search with free utilities

Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users may not completely remove virus from the infected system. So, we suggest to check your PC system for any remaining malicious components with free browser virus removal software below.

Scan and clean your PC system of Alpha Shoppers Search with Zemana Free

Zemana Anti Malware is a free program for MS Windows operating system to find and get rid of potentially unwanted programs, adware, harmful internet browser extensions, browser toolbars, and other unwanted applications like the Alpha Shoppers Search virus, installed on your PC system.

Now you can install and run Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) to get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from your internet browser by following the steps below:

Click the link below to download Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) installation package named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your PC system. Save it to your Desktop.

Start the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to setup this utility on your PC.

During installation you can change certain settings, but we suggest you don’t make any changes to default settings.

When setup is done, this malware removal utility will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as shown below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the Alpha Shoppers Search virus and other malware. When a malicious software, ad supported software or potentially unwanted programs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

When Zemana has completed scanning your computer, Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) will create a list of undesired and adware. Review the results once the tool has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Next” button.

The Zemana will begin to get rid of Alpha Shoppers Search hijacker infection and other web-browser’s harmful extensions. Once that process is finished, you can be prompted to restart your personal computer to make the change take effect.

Remove Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus from web browsers with HitmanPro

Hitman Pro is a free utility that can detect browser hijacker which changes internet browser settings to replace your homepage, newtab page and search engine by default with Alpha Shoppers Search. It’s not always easy to locate all the junk apps that your personal computer might have picked up on the Internet. Hitman Pro will scan for the adware, browser hijackers and other malicious software you need to remove.

Download HitmanPro on your computer by clicking on the link below.

After the downloading process is finished, open the directory in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro desktop icon. After the utility is started, you will see a screen as displayed in the following example.

Further, click “Next” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the hijacker that responsible for web browser reroute to the Alpha Shoppers Search. This task may take quite a while, so please be patient. Once Hitman Pro has finished scanning your personal computer, HitmanPro will show a scan report as shown on the screen below.

Next, you need to click “Next” button. It will open a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button.

Delete Alpha Shoppers Search virus with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to find out and remove Alpha Shoppers Search virus from your computer. When installed and updated, the free malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the machine.

1. Download MalwareBytes Free by clicking on the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware
   326410 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 15, 2020
   
2. After the downloading process is complete, close all programs and windows on your PC system. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
3. Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once install is finished, click the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes Free application will scan through the whole machine for the browser hijacker infection that changes internet browser settings to replace your newtab page, search engine and home page with Alpha Shoppers Search.
5. When that process is finished, MalwareBytes will create a list of undesired and adware. Once you’ve selected what you want to remove from your personal computer click “Quarantine Selected”. When the process is done, you may be prompted to reboot your PC system.

The following video offers a steps on how to delete browser hijackers, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes Free.

Block Alpha Shoppers Search and other undesired websites

If you surf the Internet, you can’t avoid malvertising. But you can protect your internet browser against it. Download and use an ad-blocker program. AdGuard is an ad blocking which can filter out a huge number of of the malvertising, stoping dynamic scripts from loading malicious content.

Download AdGuard from the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.

After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed below.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial as shown on the screen below.

Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you launch your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and block pop-up ads, Alpha Shoppers Search redirect, as well as other harmful or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which may be found on your desktop.

How can you prevent your machine from the attack of Alpha Shoppers Search hijacker virus

The Alpha Shoppers Search virus actively distributed with free software, along with the installation package of these programs. Therefore, it is very important, when installing an unknown program even downloaded from well-known or big hosting site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to select the Manual, Advanced or Custom installation option. In this mode, you may disable the install of unneeded modules and apps and protect your machine from such browser hijacker viruses as the Alpha Shoppers Search.

Unfortunately, most users when installing unknown applications, simply press the Next button, and don’t read any information which the freeware show them during its installation. This leads to the fact that the browser settings are replaced and internet browser’s startpage, newtab page and search engine by default set to Alpha Shoppers Search.

Finish words

Now your computer should be clean of the hijacker that modifies web-browser settings to replace your default search engine, newtab page and homepage with Alpha Shoppers Search. We suggest that you keep Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your computer for new browser viruss and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop annoying ads and malicious web pages). Moreover, to prevent any virus, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to detect potentially unwanted programs.

If you need more help with Alpha Shoppers Search redirect virus related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.