Foodme.info Virus

Foodme.info

Foodme.info is a browser hijacker that is aimed at generating large quantities of online ads. Software like Foodme.info needs to integrate with the main browser on the infected machine in order to facilitate its advertising practices. 

Foodme.info
The Foodme.info virus will display pop up ads and notifications

In case that your main web browser has been flooding you with all sorts of nagging ads (pop-ups, banners, on-screen messages, page redirects, new tabs, etc.) that you can’t get rid of, then you definitely need to read the information in this article. Here, we will reveal the real source of those aggressive and intrusive advertisements that have been spamming you lately and will explain to you how to make them disappear once and for all. We will also tell you what exactly is behind the changes in your browser’s homepage and/or search engine which might have taken place without your approval.

Luckily, the software that is responsible for all these activities is not a dangerous virus infection like ransomware, a Trojan horse or with some other malware but a rather harmless browser hijacker called Foodme.info, which can easily integrate with your Chrome, Firefox, Edge or any other browser that may be on the computer and turn it into a platform for aggressive online advertising.

One of the main symptoms that you may be struggling with if this browser hijacker is on your computer right now is the introduction of unwelcome changes in your main browsing program which may have something to do with the homepage of the browser or with its toolbar and default search engine. Another symptom is the automatic page redirects which may happen every time you try to open a new tab or start a new search session. And last but not least, if most of the pop-up messages that get displayed on your screen come with a small text stating something like “Ads generated by Foodme.info” or “Delivered by Foodme.info”, then you surely need to take care of this particular application.

How to remove Foodme.info

In case you are thinking about uninstalling the affected browser and installing a new one, you should know that this most probably won’t be an effective way of saving yourself from the ads and the browser changes imposed by Foodme.info. As a matter of fact, most browser hijacker apps have the ability to hijack any browser you are using the moment you open it.

So instead of switching between different browsers, you should focus on detecting the ad-generating and page-redirecting software and uninstall all of its components from your system. The good news is that this task isn’t as complex as removing a Trojan horse or ransomware. And if you carefully read the removal guide below, you will most probably be able to get rid of the unwanted software once and for all with relative ease.

Things to keep in mind:

While Foodme.info is present in your system, you should be extra careful with the links you click on and the messages you interact with. Even though the majority of the promotional materials that browser hijackers like Foodme.info, iStart Search Bar, Poshukach may display are technically legal and should in theory be harmless, this doesn’t mean that there couldn’t be certain risks related to them.

Nowadays, malware can be encountered everywhere and every randomly displayed pop-up, link or message could be a potential carrier of a nasty infection. Sometimes, you may come across misleading or hazardous commercial content, which may land you on shady web locations. That’s why it’s very important to regain control over your browser and eliminate any piece of software that can mess with your online experience in such a way.

SUMMARY:

NameFoodme.info
TypeBrowser Hijacker
Danger LevelMedium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Detection Tool

Remove Foodme.info Virus

If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.

If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.

If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.

If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide


Step1

Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.

Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab (the “Details” Tab on Win 8 and 10). Try to determine which processes are dangerous. 

malware-start-taskbar

Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:

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    After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders. 

    Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections. 

    Step3

    Hold together the Start Key and R. Type appwiz.cpl –> OK.

    appwiz

    You are now in the Control Panel. Look for suspicious entries. Uninstall it/them.

    Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:

    msconfig_opt

    Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer or otherwise look suspicious.

    Step4

    Hold the Start Key and R –  copy + paste the following and click OK:

    notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts

    A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:

    hosts_opt (1)

    If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.

    Open the start menu and search for Network Connections (On Windows 10 you just write it after clicking the Windows button), press enter.

    1. Right-click on the Network Adapter you are using —> Properties —> Internet Protocol Version 4 (ICP/IP), click  Properties.
    2. The DNS line should be set to Obtain DNS server automatically. If it is not, set it yourself.
    3. Click on Advanced —> the DNS tab. Remove everything here (if there is something) —> OK.
    DNS

    Step5

    • After you complete this step, the threat will be gone from your browsers. Finish the next step as well or it may reappear on a system reboot.

    Right click on the browser’s shortcut —> Properties.

    NOTE: We are showing Google Chrome, but you can do this for Firefox and IE (or Edge).

    browser-hijacker-taskbar-properties

    Properties —–> Shortcut. In Target, remove everything after .exe.

    Browser Hijacker Removal Instructions

    ie9-10_512x512  Remove Foodme.info from Internet Explorer:

    Open IE, click  IE GEAR —–> Manage Add-ons.

    pic 3

    Find the threat —> Disable. Go to IE GEAR —–> Internet Options —> change the URL to whatever you use (if hijacked) —> Apply.

    firefox-512 Remove Foodme.info from Firefox:

    Open Firefoxclick  mozilla menu  ——-> Add-ons —-> Extensions.

    pic 6


    chrome-logo-transparent-backgroundRemove Foodme.info from Chrome:

    Close Chrome. Navigate to:

     C:/Users/!!!!USER NAME!!!!/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data. There is a Folder called “Default” inside:

    Rename the Folder to Backup Default

    Rename it to Backup Default. Restart Chrome.

    Step6

    Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter.

    Inside, press CTRL and F together and type the threat’s Name. Right click and delete any entries you find with a similar name. If they don’t show up this way, go manually to these directories and delete/uninstall them:

    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—–Random Directory. It could be any one of them – ask us if you can’t discern which ones are malicious.
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—-Windows—CurrentVersion—Run– Random
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—Internet Explorer—-Main—- Random

    If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!


    About the author

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    Violet George

    Violet is an active writer with a passion for all things cyber security. She enjoys helping victims of computer virus infections remove them and successfully deal with the aftermath of the attacks. But most importantly, Violet makes it her priority to spend time educating people on privacy issues and maintaining the safety of their computers. It is her firm belief that by spreading this information, she can empower web users to effectively protect their personal data and their devices from hackers and cybercriminals.

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