Welcome to our Loutengraver removal instructions. This article intends to help you remove Loutengraver from your system and is designed to work for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer and all Windows versions.
This page not only teaches you how to go about removing Loutengraver, it also provides you with a brief introduction about what exactly it is you are dealing with.
What is Loutengraver?
If you think that Loutengraver is a virus, you are in the wrong, although it may appear so on first glance. According to security experts, Loutengraver is being classified under the family of Browser Hijackers. Contrary to being a virus, a Browser Hijacker is non-malicious and does not cause any harm or damage to the computer in which it resides. Browser Hijacker programs tend to be very annoying and may be hard to get rid of, but at least they are not directly dangerous to your machine or files.
Even though it does not cause any harm to the computer, Loutengraver is quite capable of being an utter nuisance to your browsing experience and can be a hassle to remove. It is stubborn and very resilient – a simple “close” button will not stop it from re-appearing again and again, repeatedly and incessantly in its various forms and appearances. It is very likely you ended up reading this article, because you are looking for a way to remove this. Before that happens, however, you need to learn a few basic facts about such programs.
What does it do?
Loutengraver is designed to be able to integrate itself onto your browser, regardless of the type that you are using, be it Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer. After integrating, it will then carry out covert activities – such as tracking your browsing history and patterns in order to personalize its Ads to you. This can be aided by the installation of a new search toolbar on your browser or it may operate from a hidden browser extension or plug-in.
These ads may take many different forms, so do not be surprised by the different manifestations of Loutengraver. Generally, they will feature deals and coupons or even proclaim that you have just won a windfall. Also, in its bid to appear more legit, the ads may be accompanied by the tagline “Powered by Loutengraver” or “Proudly Brought to You by Loutengraver”.
Regardless, of what the ads may feature, you need to bear in mind that you should not click on the ads.
Why should you not click on the ads?
When you click on the ads, one of the following may happen:
- First of all whenever you click on an Ad the creators of this Browser Hijackers will get paid a certain amount of money. Therefore, you will be contributing to the growth of their finances, giving them more incentives to create more similar programs.
- You will be directed to a page where the featured deal can be found. Such pages are often those that you frequently visited or have recently visited. Thus, the “deal” would have been something that you have already known about
- The page that you are directed to acts like a portal for other Browser Hijackers to access and enter your computer. In such cases then, you will get an influx of new advertisements or an endless loop of redirects.
- The page that you are directed to promotes and even prompts the download of a program. Such programs can sometimes be dangerous or just provide very little value for your money.
Therefore, as you can see, none of the outcomes seems particularly savoury and that is why you should avoid clicking on the ads.
How does the infection occur?
It is always good to know how this Browser Hijacker, or any other program for that matter, is being transmitted. This is so that you will be in a better position to avoid becoming a victim. Not getting infected is naturally the fastest way of removing Browser Hijackers!
The most common way in which Loutengraver is being spread is via bundling. Bundling is where this Browser Hijacker is being tied together with a software that is popular and made available as a set. Such program bundles tend to be one of the many free and openly distributed downloads that are rampant on the Internet.
If you frequently engage in downloading free programs, do not despair! This Browser Hijacker will not be able to function and work if it is not being installed onto your computer. Therefore, there is still room for salvation.
During the installation process, opt for the “Custom Installation” instead of “Automatic Installation”. This is where you will be provided with a list of the files that will be installed onto your computer. At this stage, look carefully through the names and uncheck any names that seem unfamiliar, strange or weird to you before continuing with the installation.
Threat | Loutengraver |
Classification | Browser Hijacker |
Security Alert |
Medium |
Negative Effects | You’ll likely experience an unprecedented amount of adverts following you on every page. |
Loutengraver Removal
Step 1
Reveal Hidden Files. If you don’t know how to do this, ask us in the comments.
Step 2
Press => Control Panel => Uninstall a program.
Locate the Browser Hijackers and any other suspicious looking programs and uninstall them.
Sort the programs by Installed On.
Delete recent suspicious entries.
In the search field type => msconfig => hit Enter.
Go to Startup and disable all entries with Unknown as Manufacturer.
Step 3
=> Search=> Copy/Paste “notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts” => Enter.
If you notice other IPs different from the localhost IPs – you might be in danger!
Ask for additional help in the comments.
Step 4
Loutengraver Removal from Chrome
Click => More Tools => Extensions.
Locate the Browser Hijackers and remove it.
Loutengraver Removal from Firefox
Click => Add-ons=> Extensions.
Locate the Browser Hijackers and delete it.
Removal from Internet Explorer
Press on => Manage Add-ons =>
Find the Browser Hijackers and remove it.
Step 5
Right click on the Taskbar => Start Task Manager.
Navigate to Processes.
Locate any suspicious processes associated with Loutengraver. Right click on the process = > Open File Location => End Process = > Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
Step 6
=> Search => Type:
- %AppData%
- %LocalAppData%
- %ProgramData%
- %WinDir%
- %Temp%
Hit Enter after each new search. Check each Folder and delete recent entries.
If you run into any trouble – ask us for help in the comments section!