SosoDesktop or SoSoDesk is an advertised software that serves both as an adware and a browser hijacker. SosoDesktop(.)com is the official web domain for the unwanted program of the same name. From the website you can directly download the application, but that is not advised. No matter where you got the undesired program from, there will always be some negative effect – either just advertisements being generated whenever you browse the Web or your homepage, new tab and default search changed, too. To remove all adverts and revert the changes made by SoSoDesk, you should read the article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | SosoDesktop(.)com |
| Type | Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | SosoDesktop has an official site, hosting a direct download for its software, which is both an adware and a browser hijacker. |
| Symptoms | You will see advertisements all over your browsers, and your search engine will be hijacked as well. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages, Direct Download |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SosoDesktop(.)com. |
SosoDesktop(.)com – Delivery
SosoDesktop can be delivered in many ways. A direct download button is present on the main page of their site at SosoDesktop(.)com. You can see that from the picture right below this paragraph. The software could also be delivered by third-party installation setups. Without your knowledge, these setups will install the SoSoDesk app, no matter if they are freeware or bundled packages. Installation setups could have additive components and settings set with the default installation. Preventing unwanted actions by such installers is possible, if you find Custom or Advanced options inside to deselect components or uncheck settings.
SosoDesktop(.)com can be delivered through multiple advertisements on various websites. Banners, pop-up and pop-under ads, and many others can be utilized to redirect to the platform in question. Visiting websites with unknown origins or ones that are suspicious could also end up in you seeing the unwanted program SoSoDesk. Redirect links could be found in these sites, too. Browsers that could be affected are the following: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.
SosoDesktop(.)com – Description
SosoDesktop(.)com is the official page of a software developed and owned by BYSENDA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED. The software named SoSoDesk for short can be downloaded from the page mentioned above and considered both an adware and a browser hijacker. That company has notoriety for publishing other, similar software such as the Ghokswa Browser. You could witness advertisements and redirects everywhere while you browse, especially if you have the SosoDesktop installed manually or from a bundled setup. Here you can see a screenshot of what your homepage, new tab and default search engine will look like if you have software related to SosoDesktop installed:
If your computer has any program, browser extension, add-on or plugin related to SosoDesktop(.)com, you see a lot of online advertising. Sponsored and targeted can appear as well. You should know that the search results of the Search.SosoDesktop(.)com will act as a filter for your every search, collect information from you and will show you in-text advertisements, as shown below:
Not only text-link ads, which redirect you, will be shown in search results. Other ad types can appear as well, and they can appear elsewhere, too. Some of the ad types that the software will try to push are pop-ups, pop-unders, and banners, as well as transitional and interstitial ads. Do not be surprised if you see even more various adverts.
Advertisements can have one of the following texts somewhere inside:
- Ads by SosoDesktop(.)com
- Advertisement by SosoDesktop(.)com
- Ad by SosoDesktop(.)com
- Advert from SosoDesktop(.)com
- Powered by SosoDesktop(.)com
- Brought to you by SosoDesktop(.)com
Ads and redirecting links, which are connected to the SosoDesktop service could be placed on affiliated websites to generate Web traffic for the platform. This traffic could generate a lot of revenue for the adware platform with a pay-per-click scheme set in place. Read on to see what information, precisely, the Bysenda company may obtain from you and your computer.
SosoDesktop(.)com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of SosoDesktop(.)com is present at the main domain of the website and also from the Search.SosoDesktop(.)com sub-domain. In the Policy, we see that all information is collected by Bysenda Technology Limited, but can be shared with third parties and disclosed to buyers of the company as an asset.
You can see an image of the Privacy Policy right here:
The policy states that it acquires information from – check below to see in what cases information is gathered from you.
Information you provide:
- First and last name
- Company
- Company mailing address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Other similar information
Information Bysenda gets from social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.):
- First and last name
- Social media handle
- Email address
- Your interests in ads
Information which is automatically collected:
- Your device operating system type
- Browser type
- Browser language
- Pages you viewed
- How long you spent on a page
- Access times
- Information about your use of the site
- Actions you do on the site
On top of all that, the data is stored by Bysenda Technology Limited, and they use it to identify you personally. Cookies are also used on the website and by their software so that they can collect more data than the one listed above. Be careful when using anything related to Bysenda, be it their site, services, programs or browser add-ons.
Remove SosoDesktop(.)com Effectively from Your PC
To remove SosoDesktop(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal tutorial provided below. In case this manual removal does not get rid of it completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove SosoDesktop(.)com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for SosoDesktop(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall SosoDesktop(.)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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com (Windows).
Get rid of SosoDesktop(.)com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com (Mac)
Remove SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com will be removed.
Eliminate SosoDesktop(.)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".
SosoDesktop(.)com-FAQ
What Is SosoDesktop(.)com?
The SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com Work?
Once installed, SosoDesktop(.)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.
SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)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 SosoDesktop(.)com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.