Test-iq.xyz
If your computer has been infected by Test-iq.xyz, then you have landed yourself what is known as a browser hijackers. Hijackers like Test-iq.xyz can embed themselves in all the most common web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox and others.
The reason they do this is because they need a browser “host” in order to facilitate their advertising practices. Browser hijackers are, in essence, ad-generating tools that serve the online marketing industry. They usually operate on the basis of popular business models such as Pay Per Click. So in other words, their developers profit every time any of the hijacker-generated ads are clicked on by users such as yourself.
This is a fairly lucrative remuneration system, but it tends to entail a number of other practices that are generally frowned upon by end users and security specialists alike.
For instance, a program like Test-iq.xyz or Hostingcloud.racing is likely to start tracking your browsing patterns in order to tailor its ads to your latest activity. And yes, pretty much everyone does this nowadays. The only difference is that you’re usually asked for permission to have your browsing data collected, whereas with browser hijackers that permission is obtained in a very underhanded way.
The same is also true for the installation tactics that software of this type tends to employ. Do you recall willingly installing Test-iq.xyz on your machine? No?
Then that’s because this piece of software was most probably packaged in the setup of some other free program like a game or some system optimization tool. This distribution method is known as software bundling. And basically it means that when you install the main program in the bundle, you are also installing one or more additional components, such as Test-iq.xyz in this case.
And as a result, you one day open your browser to find it flooded with banners, popups, page redirects and whatnot. Not to mention the obnoxious changes to the browser’s homepage and its default search engine that usually also accompany the presence of such software pieces.
Most times there is a workaround, though. Namely, if you select the custom installation menu, which usually gives you more room to adjust the settings, you should be able to exclude and added components from the installation process. So do keep that in mind the next time you are installing any software on your PC.
But better yet, try to be a little more mindful about the download sources you use, as well. This can potentially save you a great deal of trouble later on along the line. Using sketchy download sources like illegal sites, torrents, etc. comes with the risk of encountering viruses. And the effects of an app like Test-iq.xyz genuinely pale in comparison with the type of consequences that can follow an attack of something like ransomware, Trojan horse viruses and similar threats.
With that in mind, it’s a good idea to also remove hijackers like Test-iq.xyz from your machine, too. Although not malicious in and of themselves, they can expose you to unsafe content in the long run.
So without further ado, below is a detailed removal guide that you can use to rid yourself of Test-iq.xyz and its annoying ads.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Test-iq.xyz |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Danger Level | Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk) |
| Symptoms | Popups, banners, box messages and various other types of online ads flooding your screen during browsing sessions. |
| Distribution Method | Typically with the help of program bundles that are usually available for free download on various file-sharing and similar platforms. |
| Detection Tool |
Remove Test-iq.xyz Virus
To try and remove Test-iq.xyz quickly you can try this:
- Go to your browser’s settings and select More Tools (or Add-ons, depending on your browser).
- Then click on the Extensions tab.
- Look for the Test-iq.xyz extension (as well as any other unfamiliar ones).
- Remove Test-iq.xyz by clicking on the Trash Bin icon next to its name.
- Confirm and get rid of Test-iq.xyz and any other suspicious items.
If this does not work as described please follow our more detailed Test-iq.xyz removal guide below.
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
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).
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.
Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
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.
Hold together the Start Key and R. Type appwiz.cpl –> OK.
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:
Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer or otherwise look suspicious.
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:
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.
- Right-click on the Network Adapter you are using —> Properties —> Internet Protocol Version 4 (ICP/IP), click Properties.
- The DNS line should be set to Obtain DNS server automatically. If it is not, set it yourself.
- Click on Advanced —> the DNS tab. Remove everything here (if there is something) —> OK.
- 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).
Properties —–> Shortcut. In Target, remove everything after .exe.
Remove Test-iq.xyz from Internet Explorer:
Open IE, click 
—–> Manage Add-ons.
Find the threat —> Disable. Go to —–> Internet Options —> change the URL to whatever you use (if hijacked) —> Apply.
Remove Test-iq.xyz from Firefox:
Open Firefox, click 
——-> Add-ons —-> Extensions.
Remove Test-iq.xyz from Chrome:
Close Chrome. Navigate to:
C:/Users/!!!!USER NAME!!!!/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data. There is a Folder called “Default” inside:
Rename it to Backup Default. Restart Chrome.
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!
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