Moccini(.)com is a website spreading a browser hijacker. When your browsers become hijacked, most of the time you will get redirected to the Search.moccini(.)com web address. Your search results will be filled with ads and display on the same page. To remove this unwanted program and its content, you should read this article through.
The hijacker can modify browser settings like the homepage, search engine, new tab and sometimes even add a toolbar. Advertisements and redirects can show while you browse. An extension or an add-on can be set inside your browsers.
Threat Summary
| Name | Moccini(.)com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Browsers you use will have changed settings like the new tab, search engine, home page and others. |
| Symptoms | Every time you try to do a search or access your home page search engine, you will be redirected to Moccini sites. A toolbar could be added as well. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Moccini(.)com. |
Moccini(.)com – Ways of Distribution
Moccini can be distributed with a third-party installation setup. This unwanted program can get inside your PC without your awareness. That is because it hides inside freeware installers and bundled packages. Such installers regularly come hand in hand with additional components included in the install archive. Preventing all additional content from installing is doable if you find a Custom or an Advanced settings menu and uncheck it.
The Moccini hijacker is spread with an application hosted on its main site as seen above. Also, it is distributed through advertisements, like banners and pop-ups. Visiting any sites with a suspicious reputation is not an excluded way of distribution for the hijacker. Such websites are very likely to be affiliated with Moccini. Browsers which are mostly affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
Moccini(.)com – Closer Inspection
Moccini(.)com is the main web address of a browser hijacker bearing the same name. The hijacker can be downloaded from there as an app. Rest assured that if it finds its way into your PC, lots of your browser settings are going to be changed. Settings tampered with are the homepage, new tab, and search engine. A toolbar can be added as well. The search engine used is a Moccini web page.
Some browser extension or add-on might be set on every browser it finds. The add-on usually comes with bundle programs installed on your computer. Such extensions can redirect you to Moccini(.)com websites or to other ones, too.
Trying to search for anything via Moccini(.)com will only redirect you to its own system. The address Search.moccini(.)com is going to be used as a filter every single time, for all of your search queries. Advertising content and in-text links appear in search results as they are tied with partners of this hijacker.
You can see a prime example of the advertising done by the hijacker in the image above. Adverts cover almost the whole page, replacing real search results with links having the name of the things you search. That also sends information through that filter to the hijacker’s servers.
The Privacy Policy of Moccini(.)com claims that only non-personal information is collected. Collecting an email address and your social media details, however, is defined as personal, so personally identifiable information is collected too. Part of the information could be shared with third-parties. In the event of bankruptcy or another company acquires the service it is unclear what information may be disclosed and stored.
According to that policy, information which may be collected is:
- Search logs (what you searched, where you clicked, etc.)
- Time Stamps
- Browser type
- Language preferences
- Email address
- User device type and its technical information
- Clicks and visited pages
- Operating system (OS)
- Internet service provider (ISP)
- Other similar information
- Social Media Logins (Facebook, Google+)
You can see a picture snapshot of the Privacy Policy down here:
On that page, there is an excerpt about advertising content generated by the hijacker and its partners. You can see that portrayed in the following quote from the policy:
Users may find advertising or other content on our Service that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control, guarantee or endorse the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Service.
Just from using a service related to the Moccini(.)com site, including all related applications, grants your consent for your data to be collected. Cookies, web beacons or other related technologies for tracking are used to extract some of the information mentioned above, according to the policy.
Remove Moccini(.)com Completely
To remove Moccini(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the browser hijacker and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program helps keep your system secure.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Moccini(.)com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Moccini(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Moccini(.)com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Moccini(.)com on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Moccini(.)com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Moccini(.)com (Windows).
Get rid of Moccini(.)com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Moccini(.)com and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Moccini(.)com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Moccini(.)com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Moccini(.)com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Moccini(.)com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Moccini(.)com (Mac)
Remove Moccini(.)com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Moccini(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Moccini(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Moccini(.)com from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Moccini(.)com will be removed.
Eliminate Moccini(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Moccini(.)com-FAQ
What Is Moccini(.)com?
The Moccini(.)com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Moccini(.)com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Moccini(.)com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Moccini(.)com Work?
Once installed, Moccini(.)com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Moccini(.)com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Moccini(.)com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Moccini(.)com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Moccini(.)com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Moccini(.)com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Moccini(.)com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.