Delete Clients5 Google Browser Virus


Clients5 Google is a type of browser hijacker. It is promoted as a tool capable of providing a better search result. However, instead of that it hijacks and modifies the browser’s settings to promote its fake search engine – Clients5.google.com.

Most of the victims install this hijacker unintentionally on their system so these are classified into Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

Such a browser hijacker usually targets browsers with a large user base such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

After successfully entering the system, Clients5 Google, change the browser’s settings such as the default homepage, default search engine to its fake search engine. Even opening a new tab will redirect users to the Clients5.google.com.

This fake search engine doesn’t have the capability of producing its own results. So every time a search query is hit on it, it automatically redirects that to the real search engine of Yahoo.

Another important thing to note is this hijacker has additional tracking abilities too. It can track and record the browsing activities of victims such as search history, search queries, key logs, saved passwords, IP addresses, etc.

This information could be sold to cybercriminals for malicious works.

What is Clients5 Google?

Clients5 Google is a browser hijacker. It enters your PC using the software bundling method and hijacks the settings of the browsers. It hijacks the homepage, new tab, and default search engine. Whenever you open your browser, you see its default page. If you try to search something on your browser, it records your search query and then redirects you to other search engines for results. Apart from the search query, it also records your IP address, location, browsing history, and some hardware & software information.

All this collected information is sold to third-party clients, who may use it for marketing or other activities such as identity theft. Clients5 Google is a severe risk to your privacy. We advise you to remove it from your PC right now. Follow the below instructions to remove it.

When the Clients5 Google browser hijacker is installed on a device, common symptoms include:

  • Changing the web browser’s default homepage to Clients5 Google
  • Changing the browser’s search provider and built-in search box to Clients5 Google
  • Ability to modify the ‘new tab’ functionality to launch the modified search portal page
  • Loads into the web browser via the Clients5 Google extension or add-on
You should always pay attention while installing software specially the free software, because often, such installers includes bundled software. Don't click on Install before checking everything.
Always opt for the custom/advanced installation mode and deselect anything other than the actual program, especially recommended software that you don't need. In short, you should not install suspicious software.
The instruction below is for Windows users, you can check the Android Removal Guide which should help clean up your device.

How to remove Clients5 Google redirect (Virus Removal Guide)

This removal guide contain complicated steps and we are using different removal tools also. However, our intention was not to make it complex rather we include strong measurements in the guide that can help you to remove the malware from your PC completely.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, comment down and we will try to assist you.

To remove the Clients5 Google redirect, follow these steps:


STEP 1 : Uninstall Clients5 Google from Windows

In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

  1. Go to “Programs and Features”.

    Windows 10

    1. On the Start menu, type Control Panel in the Cortana search box and then select “Control Panel” from the results.
      Uninstall Clients5 Google from Control Panel
    2. When the “Control Panel” window opens click on the “Uninstall a program” option under “Programs” category.
      Uninstall Suspicious Programs from Control Panel 2

    Windows 8

    Right-click on the Start button and select “Programs and Features”. You will directly reach to the list the of programs installed.

    Right click on Start and select Programs and Features - Windows 8.1 Help
    • If there is no Programs and Features in the Start menu, then type “programs and features” into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Programs and Features” result.
    • If you don’t see the a Start button, you are likely running Windows 8 instead of Windows 8.1. So, press the Windows key + X to open the menu instead and select “Programs and Features”.

    Windows 7

    1. Click on Start, then click on “Control Panel”.
      Click on Start then Control Panel - Windows 7 Help

      If you don’t see “Control Panel” here, type control panel into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Control Panel” result.
    2. Once you see the “Control Panel”, click on “ Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
      Open Uninstall a Program Section
  2. Find the malicious program and uninstall it.

    Now you will see the list of all installed programs in the PC, carefully observe every program and find Clients5 Google, then select it, and click the “Uninstall” button.

    Your PC may have different malicious program thus the name may not match. If you cannot find any unwanted malicious programs on your PC, then you can skip to the next step

    Uninstall Unwanted Malicious Programs from Windows

  3. Follow the screen instructions to uninstall the program.

    In the next screen prompt, click on Yes, and then follow the prompts to uninstall the program.

    Read all screen instructions carefully during installation, because malicious programs always try to trick you in hoping that you won’t read properly.

If Clients5 Google is stubborn and doesn't easily uninstall, then you can use Revo Uninstaller Free. It force uninstall the application and also deletes their remaining files from your system.

STEP 2: Use MalwareFox to remove Clients5 Google adware

MalwareFox is antimalware that works on heuristic approach to detect and remove malware from your PC. It analyzes the malware signatures as well as their behaviour. If a program acts like a malware then MalwareFox blocks it right there. It is lightweight on your system resource and finishes the scan quickly.

Its not like I am recommending you to install a costly software to remove the malware. The MalwareFox subscription charges are fairly low. But that is for a fully featured program with real-time protection capabilities. The scanning works even with the free version, though you can try the MalwareFox Premium for 14 days. Also, you don't need to remove your current antivirus, MalwareFox will work effectively without any conflicts.

  1. Download MalwareFox.

    You can download MalwareFox by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREFOX DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download MalwareFox)
  2. Double-click on the MalwareFox setup file.

    Once the MalwareFox is downloaded, double click on MalwareFox.exe file to install it on your PC. The downloaded files are mostly saved to the Downloads folder.

    Double Click on MalwareFox.exe to Install MalwareFox
    You will see an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow MalwareFox to make changes to your device. Click on “Yes” to proceed with the installation steps.
    Windows asking for permission to install MalwareFox

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install MalwareFox.

    First MalwareFox installer ask you to choose the language, select your preferend language and click on OK.
    MalwareFox Installation - Select Language

    Then the MalwareFox installation Wizard appears, click on Next and follow the screen instructions to setup MalwareFox on your PC.
    MalwareFox Installation Wizard - Click Next

    Once the installation is complete, MalwareFox will download the latest version and virus signatures from the server. Let it update.
    MalwareFox is Installing

  4. Click on “Scan” Button.

    To perform a system scan, click on the “Scan” button.
    Start a scan with MalwareFox

  5. Wait for MalwareFox scan to complete.

    MalwareFox is now scanning your computer for adware, pop-ups, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so you can do some other work while it is scanning your PC, don't worry the PC won't get slow during the scan.
    MalwareFox scanning PC for malware

  6. Click on “Next”.

    Once the scan has completed, you will see the list of detected threats on your PC. To remove the malware that MalwareFox has found, click on the “Next” button.
    Click on the Next button to remove Clients5 Google virus

    When the malware removal process is complete, you can close MalwareFox and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs

HitanPro works on unique cloud-based approach to detect the threats. You can use it as a second opinion malware scanner. HitmanPro also observe the behaviour active programs and checks the locations where malware normally resides. If there is a suspicious file then it upload thes file to cloud where it is scanned by Bitdefender and Kaspersky antivirus engines.

HitmanPro is available for a 30-days trail that lets you to clean the threats. After that you may need to purchase it which costs around $24.95 for 1 year single PC. If you won't upgrade then you can scan using the HitmanPro however it won't let you remove or quarntine the detected threat.

  1. Download HitmanPro.

    You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link.

    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
  2. Install HitmanPro.

    When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” if you have 32-bit Windows or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” if you have 64-bit windows, to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    Double-click on the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide
    Now you will see an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. Click “Yes” to install it on your PC.
    Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro

  3. Follow the screen instructions.

    When HitmanPro starts you will see the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.

    Click Next to install HitmanPro

    HitmanPro final installer screen

  4. Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

    HitmanPro will now start scanning your PC for malware. This process may take a few minutes.
    HitmanPro while scanning for malware - Help Guide

  5. Click on “Next”.

    Once HitmanPro finished the scan, you will see a list of all the malicious programs that it found in your system. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malware.
    Click Next to remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads

    When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.


(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Reset the browser to remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads

If you are still seeing Clients5 Google site on your browser, then you need to reset the web browser settings to their defaults. If your issue has been solved by the above methods, then there is no need to follow this step.

Google Chrome

To remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads from Google Chrome, you need to reset the browser to its default settings. Resetting the browser settings will undo the unwanted changes due to malicious software. However, resetting will not affect the bookmarks and passwords saved in the Chrome.

  1. Open Chrome’s “Settings” menu.

    Click on Chrome’s main menu button, located in top right corner and looks like three vertical dots. Now click on “Settings”.
    Google Chrome Settings Menu

  2. At the bottom, click “Advanced”.

    You will see Chrome’s “Settings” in a new tab. Next, scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Advanced” button.
    Click on the Advanced button - Google Chrome Help

  3. Under the section “Reset,” click “Reset”.

    Now you will see Chrome’s advanced settings. Scroll down to the “Reset and clean up” section. Then click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
    Google Chrome Reset button

  4. Confirm by clicking “Reset”.

    Now you will see a confirmation dialog, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To confirm the reset action, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
    Click on Reset to restore Google Chrome to its default settings

Mozilla Firefox

To remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads from Mozilla Firefox, you need to reset the browser to its default settings. Resetting will remove several changes done by malicious software or add-ons, however it doesn't affect important things like bookmarks, web form auto-fill information, passwords, browsing history and open tabs.

  1. Go to the “Help” menu.

    Click on Firefox’s main menu button, located in the top right corner, represented by three horizontal lines. Then click on “Help“.
    Click on the Firefox Menu button then select Help - Firefox Guide

  2. Click “Troubleshooting Information”.

    Now click on “Troubleshooting Information“.

    If you’re unable to access the “Help” menu, then you can type about:support in the address bar and press enter to directly open troubleshooting page.

    Troubleshooting Information option in Firefox

  3. Click on “Refresh Firefox”

    Now click on the “Refresh Firefox” button which is on the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
    Refresh Firefox button

  4. Confirm.

    Now you will see the confirmation message telling you the action you are about to take. Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button to confirm the action.
    Confirm Reset Firefox

  5. Click on “Finish”.

    Firefox gets closed and its settings will reset. Then it will display the list with information that was imported. Now click on the “Finish“.

Firefox will collect the information that it removed and put it in the “Old Firefox Data“ folder on the desktop. If resetting does not fix the problem you can restore this information by putting the files in the current profile folder. This folder contains senstive information, so if you don't need it then delete it so that it doesn't get in hands of other people.

Internet Explorer

To remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads from Internet Explorer, you need to reset the browser to its default settings. Resetting will help you to take Internet Explorer settings to the stat when it was first installed on your computer.

  1. Go to “Internet Options”.

    Open Internet Explorer browser, click on the gear icon in the top right part of the browser, now select “Internet Options“.
    Click on the Gear Icon then select Internet Options - Help Guide

  2. Go to “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”

    In the “Internet Options”, click on the “Advanced” tab, then select the “Reset” button.
    In the Advanced tab click on the Reset button - Help Guide

  3. Click on “Reset”.

    In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window, click on the “Delete personal settings” checkbox, then click on the “Reset” button.
    Click on the Reset button to revert IE to its default settings - Help Guide

  4. Click on “Close”.

    Once the Internet Explorer completes all the action, click on the “Close” button.
    Now you need to restart the Internet Explorer browser.
    Click on the Close button - Help Guide

Microsoft Edge

To remove Clients5 Google pop-up ads from Microsoft Edge, you need to reset the browser to its default settings. You can repair or reset the Microsoft Edge settings after the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709).

  1. Go to “Apps and Features”.

    Right-click on the Start button and select “Apps and Features“. It will open the list of all installed programs.
    Go to Apps and Features in Windows 10

  2. Find Microsoft Edge from the list, then click “Advanced Options”.

    You will see the list of all programs in your PC. Scroll through the list and locate “Microsoft Edge”, select it, and then click on the “Advanced options”.
    Microsoft Edge Advanced Options

  3. Click on “Reset”.

    Now you will see the “Advanced Options”. Find the “Reset” section, as shown in the picture below. Then click on the “Reset” button.
    Microsoft Edge Reset Settings


Your computer should now be clean, and you will not see the Clients5 Google pop-up ads in your browser. If you are still facing problems while trying to remove Clients5 Google adware then please comment down your problem. We will try to help you as much as possible.

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