What is Spin Dark?
The security researchers have determined that Spin Dark is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) from the group of Browser hijackers. Typically, browser hijackers make changes to the default homepage and search engine of user internet browsers, making it difficult to change them back. Browser hijackers may also include unwanted popups and advertisements to show up in the hijacked web-browsers. Browser hijackers are usually installed with freeware or shareware download off from third-party web-pages; they can also be found inside legitimate web sites and software.
Being affected with Spin Dark browser hijacker you will 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 advertisements designed to force you into buying some questionable apps or products, provide search results that may redirect your web-browser to some deceptive, misleading or harmful web pages. We suggest that you use only the reliable search provider like Google, Yahoo or Bing.
And finally, the Spin Dark hijacker be able to gather privacy data about you such as what websites you’re opening, what you are looking for the World Wide Web and so on. This information, in the future, may be sold to third parties.
How can a browser hijacker get on your computer
Browser hijackers and PUPs usually come on computers with malicious downloads, fake updates and free software. Most often, browser hijackers come without the user’s knowledge. Therefore, many users aren’t even aware that their PC has been infected by potentially unwanted programs. Please follow the easy rules in order to protect your device from any undesired programs: do not install any suspicious apps, read the user agreement and choose only the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation mode, don’t rush to click the Next button. Also, always try to find a review of the application on the World Wide Web. Be careful and attentive!
Threat Summary
Name | Spin Dark |
Type | PUP, redirect virus, search engine hijacker, browser hijacker, homepage hijacker |
Affected Browser Settings | new tab URL, start page, search provider |
Distribution | misleading pop-up ads, fake updaters, free programs setup files |
Symptoms | You experience a large amount of of unwanted advertisements. Every time you perform an Internet search, your web-browser is redirected to another webpage. New entries appear in your Programs folder. New internet browser addons suddenly added on your web browser. Your internet browser homepage or search provider keeps changing or is not set to Google anymor. |
Removal | Spin Dark removal guide |
How to remove Spin Dark hijacker
The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily delete browser hijacker from your PC or web browser. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the PC system then use manual removal, otherwise use free malware removal tools that are designed specifically to delete hijacker like Spin Dark. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your web browser or reboot your PC.
To remove Spin Dark, perform the steps below:
How to manually get rid of Spin Dark
The steps will help you delete Spin Dark hijacker. These removal steps work for Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and IE, as well as every version of computer OS.
Uninstall Spin Dark associated software by using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
The best way to begin the computer cleanup is to remove unknown and questionable applications. 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 Edge, IE, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome from popups hijackers and so on.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
- It will open the Windows Control Panel.
- Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- It will display a list of all applications installed on the personal computer.
- Scroll through the all list, and uninstall suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed programs, we recommend sort software by date.
See more details in the video guidance below.
Remove Spin Dark browser hijacker from web browsers
If you’re still seeing the Spin Dark hijacker that won’t go away, you might have harmful extensions installed on your web-browser. Check your internet browser for unwanted add-ons using the steps below.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to get rid of Spin Dark browser hijacker by reset Google Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing problems with Spin Dark browser hijacker removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
Internet Explorer | Safari |
Another method to get rid of Spin Dark browser hijacker from Internet Explorer is reset Internet Explorer settings. |
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Automatic Removal of Spin Dark
The hijacker can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and delete easily. This can lead to the fact that after some time, the browser hijacker will again infect your PC and modify settings. Moreover, I want to note that it is not always safe to remove hijacker manually, if you do not have much experience in setting up and configuring the Microsoft Windows operating system. The best solution to locate and remove hijackers is to use free malicious software removal software.
How to remove Spin Dark with Zemana
Zemana Free is a free tool that performs a scan of your PC and displays if there are existing adware, browser hijackers, viruses, worms, spyware, trojans and other malware residing on your PC. If malicious software is detected, Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) can automatically remove it. Zemana does not conflict with other anti-malware and antivirus apps installed on your device.
Download Zemana Free from the link below.
164032 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
When the download is done, launch it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana will try to update itself and when this task is done, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the Spin Dark browser hijacker.
Depending on your PC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malware, adware software or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-Malware will remove Spin Dark hijacker and move the selected threats to the Quarantine.
Remove Spin Dark browser hijacker from web browsers with HitmanPro
Hitman Pro is a completely free (30 day trial) utility. You do not need expensive solutions to remove Spin Dark browser hijacker and other unsafe applications. Hitman Pro will delete all the unwanted apps such as adware software and hijackers for free.
- Installing the Hitman Pro is simple. First you’ll need to download HitmanPro from the link below. Save it to your Desktop.
- After the downloading process is complete, start the Hitman Pro, double-click the HitmanPro.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, click Yes to continue.
- In the Hitman Pro window, press the “Next” to perform a system scan for the Spin Dark hijacker. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done.
- When HitmanPro completes the scan, Hitman Pro will show a list of all items detected by the scan. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next”. Now, click the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
How to remove Spin Dark with MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM)
If you are still having problems with the Spin Dark hijacker — or just wish to check your computer occasionally for hijacker and other malware — download MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM). It is free for home use, and searches for and removes various undesired programs that attacks your PC or degrades device performance. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) can get rid of adware, PUPs as well as malware, including ransomware and trojans.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
326385 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the downloading process is done, close all apps and windows on your PC system. Double-click the install file called MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown in the figure below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the Setup wizard that will help you setup MalwareBytes on your device. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once install is finished successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes program will scan through the whole computer for the Spin Dark browser hijacker. Depending on your PC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) program is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as threat.
After MalwareBytes Free completes the scan, you may check all items detected on your computer. Make sure to check mark the items that are unsafe and then click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will get rid of Spin Dark hijacker and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine. Once finished, you may be prompted to reboot the PC system.
We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to remove adware, browser hijacker and other malicious software.
How to stop Spin Dark redirect
Using an adblocker application such as AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad blocking software will also protect you from harmful ads and web-pages, and, of course, block redirection chain to Spin Dark and similar web-sites.
Visit the page linked below to download AdGuard. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After the download is done, double-click the downloaded file to launch it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as on the image 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 instructions similar to the one below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick instructions that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block Spin Dark redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading web-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 is located on your desktop.
To sum up
After completing the steps shown above, your PC system should be clean from this hijacker and other malware. The Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer will no longer display the Spin Dark web-site on startup. Unfortunately, if the instructions does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the Spin Dark browser hijacker.