One very common issue that users are encountering nowadays is that they receive strange and often distressing notifications in the bottom-right of their screen that seem like a malware warning from McAfee, Norton, or another reputable antivirus. Additionally, the appearance of these pop-ups usually coincides with changes in the browser, such as a replaced default search engine or homepage.
The culprits behind these and other similar disturbances are rogue sites such as Networkdefender.co.in. This is a malicious site designed to hijack browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Opera GX to forcefully redirect the user’s searches to modified SERPs or spam them with misleading notifications.
OFFERIf you are getting Networkdefender.co.in pop-ups or your browser is constantly getting redirected, then you need to take action and get rid of this hijacker site before it lands you on some phishing scam page or tricks you into downloading malware on your PC. The guide I’ve prepared for you below will show you how to remove Networkdefender.co.in.
Networkdefender.co.in Removal Tutorial
With Networkdefender.co.in or other similar hijackers like Remove Secure Search and DSR Search, you may get lucky and manage to get rid of the annoyance with a couple of quick step. Therefore, I recommend you opt for the quick removal first:
- Start by opening the browser’s menu and navigating to its extensions or add-ons page. This area often reveals the problem.
- Look for anything unfamiliar, anything with strange names or purposes. If it seems suspicious, delete it.
- Next, head to the Privacy and Security > Site Permissions settings. These control who gets permission to show notifications, create pop-ups, or redirect your browser.
- Revoke permissions from sites you don’t trust. Doing so cuts off one of the main pathways rogue sites like Networkdefender.co.in use to disrupt your browsing.
- Once these changes are made, restart your PC and reopen the browser to see if it’s been restored to its normal state.
Don’t worry if the problem persists – the advanced steps below will guide you through the full removal process.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Networkdefender.co.in |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Detection Tool | Some threats reinstall themselves if you don't delete their core files. We recommend downloading SpyHunter to remove harmful programs for you. This may save you hours and ensure you don't harm your system by deleting the wrong files. |
This guide shows you how to get rid of Networkdefender.co.in and any rogue programs linked to it. The process takes about an hour and needs some basic troubleshooting skills. It’s manageable if you follow the steps carefully.
If you’re short on time or want an easier way, a tool like SpyHunter 5 can help. It scans your system, finds DSR Search, and clears it, along with any related malware, quickly and safely. Just a few clicks, and your PC is back on track. Whether you go manual or automated, the key is taking action to keep your system secure.
How to Remove the Networkdefender.co.in Virus
The main trick used by hijackers like Networkdefender.co.in is to add their own policy to the browser, which locks its settings and prevents you from changing them back after the hijacker has tampered with them.
Open the browser’s menu and if you see a “Managed by your organization” message at its bottom, this means that the program is under the hijacker’s control and you need to do something about it.
To uncover these policies, go to your browser’s policy page. For Chrome, type chrome://policy into the address bar.
In case you are using a different Chromium browser, just replace “chrome” with that browser’s name in the URL.
Suspicious entries often appear as random strings of letters in the Value column. Take note of these entries, saving them to a text file for later use.
Some info must also be gathered from the Extensions page, so go there next. However, accessing it might be blocked in which case, manual intervention becomes necessary.
For Chrome users, go to C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions and clear out the folder.
Other browsers have equivalent directories:
Now you can go back to the Extensions Manager page in your browser.
Once you go there, enable Developer Mode. This allows you to inspect the IDs of all installed extensions. Copy the IDs of any suspicious extensions and save them next to the values from earlier.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Get Rid of Networkdefender.co.in Policies
You will now be able to clean your browser from any rogue policies introduced to it by the Networkdefender.co.in hijacker. This is done through the Registry Editor, where you must be very careful as not to delete anything that you aren’t supposed to.
- Open the Registry Editor by searching regedit in your system’s Start Menu and pressing Enter.
- Go to Edit > Find and search for the rogue values identified earlier.
- Locate every instance of these values and delete them. Repeat the search several times to ensure nothing remains.
- Do the same with the other saved values/extension IDs.
Occasionally, certain entries might resist deletion. When this happens, adjust the permissions on the registry key. Right-click the stubborn key, select Permissions > Advanced > Change. Then type “everyone”, click Check Names, and then OK.
Check both “Replace…” options in the previous window, then click Apply and OK.
This gives you the access needed to delete the rogue key.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Alternative Tools to Delete Networkdefender.co.in Policies
For cases where manual Networkdefender.co.in removal doesn’t fully resolve the issue, tools like the Group Policy Editor or specialized software can help.
The Group Policy Editor provides an effective way to remove lingering policies. Open it by searching for “edit group policy” in the Start Menu.
Navigate to Administrative Templates, right-click it, and select Add/Remove. Check for unfamiliar entries. Removing any suspicious templates here often resolves the problem.
Another option for Chrome users is the Chrome Policy Remover tool. Download and run this tool as an administrator. Although Windows might issue a warning, bypass it by selecting More Info > Run Anyway. Within moments, this tool will clear all rogue policies in Chrome.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Manual Group Policy Removal
Automatic Group Policy Removal
Uninstall Networkdefender.co.in From Chrome, Edge, and Other Browsers
The rogue policies imposed by Networkdefender.co.in should now be gone, which means you are free to restore the settings of your browser and delete any rogue extensions or URLs that the hijacker may have introduced to them. You need to be very thorough here as to not allow Networkdefender.co.in to leave anything behind.
First, return to your browser’s extensions page. Delete any items tied to the hijacker.
Next, clear your browsing data. Cached files and cookies often harbor remnants of malicious software. Use the “All Time” range to ensure nothing is left behind. While doing this, keep your saved passwords intact.
Inspect Site Settings or Permissions. Chrome users will find this under Privacy and Security, while Edge users can check Cookies and Site Permissions. Review every permission type, blocking or removing suspicious URLs.
Lastly, secure your browser’s Search Engine settings. Choose a trusted provider like Google or Bing as your default, removing any unknown entries.
Scan the On Startup and Appearance tabs for rogue URLs and clean them up. Once this is complete, Networkdefender.co.in should no longer haunt your browser.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Adding a Layer of Protection with Anti-Malware Tools
Some threats prove more stubborn than others. Persistent hijackers often reinstall themselves, even after removal. Anti-malware tools offer a reliable solution in such cases.
SpyHunter 5, for example, provides a thorough system scan, detecting hidden malware that might evade manual methods. Running a full scan helps identify and remove all malicious entries. After the scan, restarting your system ensures the changes take effect.
Anti-malware tools don’t just fix existing problems. They offer long-term protection against future threats, acting as a shield for your system.
Safeguarding Your Browser for the Future
Removing Networkdefender.co.in is only half the battle. Protecting your browser against future attacks is just as important. Regularly review your browser’s permissions. Notifications, redirects, and pop-ups should remain tightly controlled.
Avoid installing unknown extensions. Stick to trusted developers and verified sources. Researching an extension before installation reduces the risk of inviting malicious software into your browser.
Keep your browser and operating system updated. Updates often fix vulnerabilities hijackers exploit. Stay alert to performance changes. Slower speeds or unexpected settings changes may indicate a problem. Address these signs quickly to avoid a full-blown attack.
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