So if you are struggling to tell the difference between browser hijackers, malware and spyware and you don't know your Trojan Horses from your Potentially Unwanted Programs, don't worry I am here to clear up one of those mysteries as we take a closer look at browser hijackers that work even on the latest Windows 10.
Is Sidecubes the same thing as a computer virus or malware?
Not quite. It's potentially dangerous and can cause problems but it can't encrypt your files or steal your passwords. With a name that includes the words 'potentially' and 'unwanted' you could be forgiven for thinking that browser hijackers are yet another offender in the long line up of internet threats. However, while true malware is designed to either extort money or information from you, or to corrupt files and data purely for the programmer or hackers' own twisted amusement, browser hijackers are not quite as lethal.
Browser hijackers are not Viruses or Malware
Computer viruses are slightly different to malicious software and such browser hijackers as http://search.sidecubes.com/?st=dn&q=, in that they are self-replicating. A virus is a computer program that infiltrates your computer by way of an infected email attachment or via a program you have downloaded. They then spread their poison by infecting everyone in your address book and wreaking havoc on, not just your machine, but the people you come into contact online with too.
Malware is also normally packaged with another program or application and covers everything from programs that monitor your internet usage so they can aggressively market products and services to you (adware) and components which track the keys you type in order to steal your passwords and login details (spyware). Some malware will hijack your operating system and lock your files and demand you pay a ransom for their decryption (ransomware), while others will pretend to be an antivirus program and try and scare you into paying them to remove 'all the viruses they have found' on your computer when conducting a scan (rogue security software). Basically malware is out to make a quick buck!
In a similar vein, Sidecubes browser hijacker also has commerce at the heart of what it does but it falls into a different category, something which is known as grayware. It is generally agreed that browser hijackers are not malware because they do normally tell you that they will be downloaded in the License Agreement that comes with the program you are downloading and that they are packaged with. Their purpose is to install a new home page and search engine which will redirect your internet searches to websites that their programmer or owner wants you to visit, thus driving traffic and possibly sales.
How do I remove Sidecubes?
It can be a tedious task. It modifies browser settings and also makes modifications to Windows registry. Hopefully, the removal guide below will help you to remove this browser hijacker from your computer. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!
Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com
Sidecubes Browser Hijack Removal Guide:
1. First of all, download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this infection. Hopefully you won't have to do that.
2. Remove Sidecubes related programs from your computer using the Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7). Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
If you are using Windows 8 or 10, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".
Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.
3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following programs:
- Sidecubes
- Go_Sidecubes
- GoSave
- ExtTag
If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.
Remove Sidecubes from Google Chrome:
1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to More Tools → Extensions.
2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Sidecubes, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube extensions.
3. Then select Settings. Scroll down the page and click Show advanced settings.
4. Find the Reset browser settings section and click Reset browser settings button.
5. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.
6. Right-click Google Chrome shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
7. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.sidecubes.com/?st=dn&q=..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Chrome executable file.
Remove Sidecubes from Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.
2. Select Extensions. Remove Sidecubes, GoSave, ExtTag, BookmarkTube browser extensions. Close Add-ons manger.
3. In the URL address bar, type about:config and hit Enter.
Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue.
In the search filter at the top, type: sidecubes.com
Now, you should see all the preferences that were changed by sidecubes.com. Right-click on the preference and select Reset to restore default value. Reset all found preferences!
4. Right-click the Mozilla Firefox shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.sidecubes.com/?st=dn&q=..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. There should be only the path to Firefox executable file.
Remove Sidecubes from Internet Explorer:
1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons.
2. Select Search Providers. First of all, choose Live Search search engine and make it your default web search provider (Set as default).
3. Select Sidecubes and click Remove to remove it. Close the window.
4. Right-click the Internet Explorer shortcut you are using to open your web browser and select Properties.
5. Select Shortcut tab and remove "http://search.sidecubes.com/?st=dn&q=..." from the Target field and click OK to save changes. Basically, there should be only the path to Internet Explorer executable file.
Sidecubes Browser Hijack Windows 10 (Uninstall Guide)
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