Useful Way to Remove 16Strat.com - Remove Redirect Virus from Your PC

How to eliminate 16Strat.com redirect permanently from the browser? The annoying redirect has messed up my Internet Explorer browser. Does it have the ability to completely ruin the browser? And it is so irritating in the way of serving continuous pop up ads. Does anyone know how to get rid of the redirect virus?

Friendly Reminder：Please try a professional redirect virus removal tool to remove this redirect virus once you can't remove it through the manual removal guide below.

Definition of 16Strat.com Redirect Virus

16Strat.com , categorized as a browser hijacker, usually affects the web browsers when computer users try to download and install some programs from insecure websites. Its inventor puts it into the installation packages of some programs or some good software. When users download and install such software, this virus gets downloaded and installed as well. Though it looks like a normal search engine, it does not provide reliable information as other legitimate search engines do. But it only combines with the good looks. But it disturbs users when they are using the computer. However, those are tricks to help gain the page rank of the malicious websites the search engine always redirects users to. Another bad thing is that this redirect virus will drastically decrease the computer performance. And users will have trouble running certain programs since the redirect virus takes up a lot of system resource. It seems that your computer has fallen into disorder.

Right after it gets installed on your computer, 16Strat.com redirect virus will perform various payloads, causing all kinds of problems and putting your computer into a dangerous situation. The purpose of changing the settings is to create a good environment for the hijacker to stay longer in the system. All its malicious actions can be carried out without your permission. The worse thing is that the redirect shows you unknown and unsafe links are associated with malicious programs, fake antivirus, or some other potential threats. You need to pay more attention when you are viewing some web pages after your browser is hijacked.

Types of System Problems Are Triggered by 16Strat.com:

1.Default homepage and search engine are modified by the redirect virus.

2.Annoying ads and new advertising tab keep opening up each time when you click any link on the browser;

3.It makes your software and programs unable to run normally;

4.Strange websites are listed in the bookmarks without your approval;

5.Important system programs and services are disabled without consent.

6.Advertisement windows and fake security messages are displayed on the computer screen from time to time.

7.It develops into different version and evolves many variants that hard to detect and remove.

8.Unwanted Plug-in/extension or add-ons get onto your browsers for no reason.

9. Useless shortcuts are on desktop or creepy websites are without your knowledge.

Victims will suffer continuous harassing pop up ads and are redirected to unwanted webpage if their computer is infected with 16Strat.com redirect. Computer users need to be careful when installing or downloading any suspicious software program online. Often use caution when being required to click on back links on the web pages or in emails you are viewing. You may notice that there is a promote part, which alternately displays various ads, under the search bar. Many normal system programs are greatly affected as well. If you unwarily visit them, your computer is vulnerable to malware because many unnecessary programs may be triggered and downloaded on your PC automatically. It is very annoying but you have no way to get rid of them, for they cannot be removed completely and keep coming back. Are you eager to find an effective method to remove the malware and take ownership of your web browser?

Note: Manual Removal, though is the most effective way to remove the virus, requires expertise and it is recommend to advanced users only. Please directly download an automatic removal tool to assist you to remove it.

Guides to Manually Remove 16Strat.com Redirect Virus Step by Step

1) Enable hidden files by opening folder options (start –>run –> control folders),under view tab

enable show hidden files, folders and drives
uncheck hide extensions for known file types
uncheck hide protected operating system files
2) Open msconfig (start –>run –> msconfig)

Click “Start” –>  run –> msconfig)
Go to “boot” tab if you are using Vista or Win 7. In case of XP, select “boot.ini” tab
check bootlog
3) Restart computer

Restart computer for making sure that changes you made are implemented. (On restarting computer a file ntbttxt.log is created which is discussed later in troubleshooting steps)

4) Do a complete IE optimization

Read this article on how to do an Internet Explorer optimization. Internet explorer optimization is done to ensure that redirection is not as a result of problem with IE or corrupted internet settings. Even if you use a different browser other than Internet explorer, IE optimization is compulsory as IE settings acts as the basic settings for any web browser using windows operating system.

5) Open device manager (start –>run –> devmgmt.msc)

Click “Start” –>  run –> devmgmt.msc
Click “view” tab on top. Select “show hidden devices”
Look for “non-plug and play drivers”. Expand it to see entire list under option.
Check if you have any entry TDSSserv.sys. Note down name carefully. Right click on entry and uninstall it. Don’t restart computer yet, cancel it. Continue troubleshooting without restarting.
6) Open registry (start –>run–>regedit). Take a backup of registry before making changes

Click on edit –> find. Enter first few letters of infection name. In this case, use TDSS and search for any entries starting with those letters. Every time there is an entry starting with TDSS, it shows the entry on the left and value on right side.
If there is just an entry, but no file location mentioned, then delete it directly. Continue searching for next entry with TDSS
The next search took me to an entry which got details of file location on right which says C:\Windows\System32\TDSSmain.dll.You need to utilize this information. Open folder C:\Windows\System32, find and delete TDSSmain.dll mentioned here.
Assume that you were not able to find file TDSSmain.dll inside C:\Windows\System32.This shows entry is super hidden. You need to remove file using command prompt. Just use command to remove it. delete C:\Windows\System32\TDSSmain.dll
Repeat same until all entries in registry starting with TDSS is removed. Make sure if those entries are pointing towards any file inside folder remove it either directly or by using command prompt.
Assume that you were not able to find TDSSserv.sys inside hidden devices under device manager, then go to Step 7.

7) Check ntbtlog.txt for corrupted file

By doing Step 2, a log file called ntbtlog.txt is generated inside C:\Windows. It’s a small text file containing lot of entries which might run to more than 100 pages if you take a printout. You need to scroll down slowly and check if you have any entry TDSSserv.sys which shows that there is an infection. Follow steps mentioned in Step6.

Conclusion :

Like other redirect viruses, 16Strat.com redirect virus often appears on users’ computers out of nowhere. 16Strat.com seems like it is a legitimate search engine, but in reality, it is fake and will not provide you any reliable search results related to your search queries. This threat greatly affects the efficiency of study and reduces the pleasure of entertainment while users are surfing online or working on paper using computer. It can rapidly spread via other virus or malware in most versions of Windows operating system. Don’t believe in it as it will gradually mess up your computer. Instead, delete it from your PC once you find it.

Keep in Mind: Have tried many ways to fix the problem but failed in the end? Please empower a professional malware removal tool to automatically remove the redirect virus for the sake of safety.