DNS Unlocker virus removal tool

This entry provides a viable method to remove DNS Unlocker, a potentially unwanted app that tweaks Ethernet settings and displays annoying ads on web pages.

The application called DNS Unlocker is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. On the face of it, this piece of software claims to help expand one’s media horizons. To this end, it promises to make geo restricted content available to people in some parts of the world by proxying their web traffic. In the upshot, it will supposedly appear that the person’s location is different than it actually is. Such a feature is definitely a godsend to many as, ideally, it should unlock such immensely popular services as Netflix, CBS, HBO, Spotify, Crackle, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, and the ITV Hub. So far so good, it seems. However, once a user installs this applet in anticipation to enjoy their favorite TV shows without restrictions, some things start getting out of hand on the computer.

While doing the proxy modification part of its purported objective, DNS Unlocker turns out to also interfere with the Ethernet configuration on an infected host. Moreover, it does so without clearly requesting user permission. The consequence of this unauthorized meddling is that the rogue tool gets privileges to change the way web pages are rendered to the victim. It literally wraps visited sites with a virtual layer, where arbitrary information can be embedded on top of the original content. Therefore, when on a web page the user will additionally see various sorts of ecommerce stuff. It includes splash screens, comparison shopping boxes, deals, banners, interstitial ads, and hyperlinked keywords all over the place.

These redundant artifacts tend to be labeled “Ad by DNS Unlocker”, “DNS Unlocker ads”, “Brought to you by DNS Unlocker” or similar. Along with the irritation nuance called forth by such routine, a particularly disconcerting thing is that these advertisements look targeted. That’s because the perpetrating program performs user activity tracking in the background. It has permanent access to the prey’s Internet history and search queries made, which is a red flag indicating privacy violation to an extent. To top it off, DNS Unlocker adds a few extra seconds to the regular page loading time, which is quite a drag as well.

The way this pseudo proxy solution infiltrates PCs is fairly prosaic. It goes bundled with various freeware applications distributed via fishy software download resources. The catch is in installation clients that ostensibly streamline the setup of a program of one’s choice but end up cross-promoting extra items. It’s in anyone’s best interest to opt out of the default (recommended) installation option in scenarios like that. Users should instead go the custom route in order to be able to see what else is under the umbrella of the compound setup. Anything that doesn’t belong on a computer, such as the DNS Unlocker virus, should be deselected at that point. In case the culprit is already inside and doing its misdemeanor, be sure to stick with the following walkthrough to get rid of noxious ads and correct the settings defiantly changed by the infection.

Automated removal of DNS Unlocker virus

Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:

1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button

Download DNS Unlocker remover

2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.

Use Control Panel to get rid of DNS Unlocker

• Open up the Control Panel from your Start menu in Windows and select Uninstall a program

• To facilitate the process of locating the threat, sort the programs list by date to get the latest ones displayed at the very top. Find DNS Unlocker or some other unfamiliar entry under the Name column, click Uninstall and follow further directions to get the removal done

Restore correct Ethernet settings

• Go to Control Panel – Network and Internet – View network status and tasks

• Click the current Local Area Connection link as shown below

• When the LAN Status dialog pops up, select Properties

• Right-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) entry and select Properties

• Enable the Obtain DNS server address automatically option

• Click OK to save the changes.

Restore web browser settings to their original defaults

In the circumstances of a complex browser hijack like this, executing a reset makes the most sense despite a few obvious downsides. Customizations such as saved passwords, bookmarked pages etc. will be gone, but so will all the changes made by the potentially unwanted program. The instructions below address the workflow for the web browsers targeted by DNS Unlocker ads virus.

Reset Google Chrome

• Open Chrome, expand the Customize and control Google Chrome menu and choose Settings

• Scroll down the settings screen and click Advanced down at the bottom

• Move on to the Reset and clean up sub-section and select the option that says Restore settings to their original defaults

• Finally, confirm the restoration by clicking Reset settings on the warning message

• Restart Chrome.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox, type about:support in the URL area and press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Open menu icon in the top right-hand part of the browser window, then select the Help option and proceed to Troubleshooting Information

• On the Troubleshooting Information screen, spot the Refresh Firefox button and click on it

• Follow subsequent directions to reset Firefox to its original settings

• Restart the browser.

Reset Internet Explorer

• Select Internet options under IE’s Tools (Alt+X)

• Proceed by clicking on Advanced tab, then select Reset

• To confirm the intended changes, click Reset on the Reset Internet Explorer Settings screen after ascertaining that the Delete personal settings checkbox is enabled

• Reboot the machine to fully implement the fix.

Reset Safari

• Go to the Safari menu and select Preferences

• When on the Preferences screen, select the Privacy tab and hit the Remove All Website Data button if you are up to erasing all website data stored on your Mac. Otherwise, you can use a site-specific removal option described below

• A dialog will appear, asking you to validate your choice. Click the Remove Now button if you are sure. Be advised this will log you out of online services and undo personalized web browser settings such as saved passwords, etc.

• Safari also allows deleting data for specific sites rather than all sites in general. To use this option, click the Details button under Privacy tab

• Select the websites for which you would like to erase data and click the Remove button

• Click the Done button to confirm and exit. You can also select the Remove All option to remove all data stored by the listed websites.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup.

Download DNS Unlocker removal tool