PlusNetwork.com is the main site page of a browser hijacker. As part of the Plus! Network, you can also witness advertisements and redirects to the rogue anti-malware program ReImage Plus. You can find a download link for that program on the hijacker’s main search page (as it can be viewed from the picture on the right). The hijacker will change the homepage, search engine and new tab of your browsers. An extension or a toolbar could appear as well. To remove the browser hijacker and its files, you should read the article to the end.
Threat Summary
| Name | Plus Network |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | The browsers on your PC can have their settings changed, for example – the homepage, search engine and new tab. |
| Symptoms | You can be redirected from your homepage while trying to search the Web, and it’s the same with the new tab setting. You can see adverts in your browser caused by this hijacker. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Plus Network. |
Plus Network – Update September 2017
The Plus Network continues to spread on a mass scale and has many “affiliates” that allow it to do so. Two of them are the following:
Plus Network – How Did I Get It?
Plus Network can be located inside third-party install setups. This hijacker might install and hijack your browser apps without your knowledge. Bundled packages and freeware installations can get such unwanted software on your PC. Installers have additional content set for installation by default. Preventing any unwanted components from installing, you should check for Custom or Advanced settings for a deselect option.
The Plus Network hijacker could also be spread with the help of advertisements, such as pop-ups or banners, or from visiting websites which look suspicious. Such websites are very likely to be partnered in some way with the PlusNetwork hijacker program. Browsers that can be affected are: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
Plus Network – More About It
PlusNetwork.com is the main site page of a browser hijacker application called Plus Network. It is typical hijacking software, which can also redirect and deliver adverts. From the image below you can see that there are ads and redirect links/buttons on the main page:
If the hijacker is located inside your computer system, you can see modifications to your browser settings. These browser settings changes will always consist of the homepage, new tab page, and the search engine set. A toolbar can easily be set up as well.
Add-ons and extensions in your browsers could be changed, and you might get one associated with the hijacker. Most of the time such extensions come with bundled applications installed on your computer. The extensions could also redirect you to the PlusNetwork.com website or to other ones who are its affiliates.
PlusNetwork.com will redirect you to various places. The search engine can be filled with ads and redirects. The search engine will be used as a filter every time for each of your search queries. The hijacker could mislead you with targeted content and sponsored results.
In the screenshot above, you see the Plus Network search engine. Results differ from other search engines, but some of them could also redirect. Pop-up ads and banners are not excluded from showing in the results as well.
The Privacy Policy of PlusNetwork.com is vague and short. Stated clearly inside is how you do not need to provide information to use the site, but by using it, information about you will be collected anyway. It is not stated, however, exactly what data will be gathered from you. Third party services affiliated to the Plus! Network will have access to some of that data.
In the preview below, you see the whole Privacy Policy page:
Usage of the PlusNetwork.com site, services and any software related to it will deem your consent for personal information collection granted. The policy also states that if any changes occur, only the policy page will be updated. Cookies are used in the gathering of the information.
Remove Plus Network Completely from Your PC
To remove PlusNetwork.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal manual provided down here. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and its files effectively, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program will keep your computer safe in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Plus Network from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Plus Network with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network (Windows).
Get rid of Plus Network from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Plus Network 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 Plus Network. 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Plus Network, 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 Plus Network (Mac)
Remove Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network will be removed.
Eliminate Plus Network 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".
Plus Network-FAQ
What Is Plus Network?
The Plus Network 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 Plus Network?
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 Plus Network?
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 Plus Network Work?
Once installed, Plus Network 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.
Plus Network 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 Plus Network 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 Plus Network Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Plus Network 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 Plus Network?
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 Plus Network threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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