Remove Moccini(.)com Hijacker Effectively

by Berta Bilbao | June 1, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary Moccini(.)com – Ways of Distribution Moccini(.)com – Closer Inspection Remove Moccini(.)com Completely

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	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
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.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Moccini(.)com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Moccini(.)com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Moccini(.)com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Moccini(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Moccini(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Moccini(.)com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Moccini(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Moccini(.)com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Moccini(.)com

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Moccini(.)com and related software from Windows

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Moccini(.)com on your computer.

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:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Moccini(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Moccini(.)com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Moccini(.)com and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Moccini(.)com:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Moccini(.)com. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Moccini(.)com. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Moccini(.)com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.