Home Malware Programs Browser Hijackers Searchguide.level.com

Searchguide.level.com

Posted: March 28, 2016

Searchguide.level3.com is a search engine website offered by Level 3 Communications, an Internet Service Provider. Although this site isn't threatening, PC users may be redirected to Searchguide.level3.com automatically, which usually corresponds to particular configurations of their network settings. These unwanted redirects are addressable by using ISP recommendations for resetting network settings, as well as using good security products for identifying and removing any Searchguide.level3.com hijackers, or unwanted software that may override your default Web-browsing options.

A Quick Guide to a Website-Redirecting Problem

While ISP companies may offer some of their services freely to all Web users, they may include various means of recouping the costs of their features. Some prefer to use advertising affiliates, but others, such as Level 3 Communications, operate off of a model of rerouting the Web traffic to specific websites. Searchguide.level3.com is one site promoted by this company that PC users may find 'taking over' their browser, although the domain has no known associations with threatening software or significant security compromises.

As an independent entity, Searchguide.level3.com is a search engine site whose results have been examined by malware experts and judged, overall, reasonably safe and accurate. However, recent changes in Level 3's DNS policies may cause your browser to load Searchguide.level3.com instead of other pages, such as 404 errors. These errors may occur when you mistype a website's Web address or URL. When a real website has no associations with the Web address, your browser loads a 404 error, or, in some cases, other pages that are specific to your ISP, such as Searchguide.level3.com.

Searchguide.level3.com and other 404-based redirects may be accomplished through generalized settings changes that may operate independently from any brand of Web browser. Changing your browser's settings, switching your browser or even reinstalling it are all solutions that fail to address the underlying cause of redirects to Searchguide.level3.com.

Leveling Up Past a Searchguide.level3.com Redirect

Traditionally, Web page redirects associated with ISP companies are not threatening to your PC, except in the sense that they may expose you to unwanted, affiliate content accidentally. To prevent your browser from loading Searchguide.level3.com under various circumstances, your personal solution will vary, based on the operating system, network setup and ISP company you're using. For one example, Windows 10 users can access the Properties tab of their TCP/IP settings, and then make the appropriate DNS server suggestions. Those without specialized setups also may be able to reset their routers to factory default settings. If you're uncertain about the proper steps to take, you should contact their ISP for more advice tailored to your circumstances.

However, browser redirects are not always harmless. Redirects, even to safe sites, like Searchguide.level3.com, also may be the work of browser-hijacking software, ranging from simple browser extensions to banking Trojans and other, advanced threats. If you still experiencing redirects to sites like Searchguide.level3.com after addressing all probable causes, consider scanning your PC with an anti-malware product.

No matter what form profiting from Web traffic takes in the future, it remains the responsibility of the persons surfing the Web to make sure that their browser behaves in a way compatible with their personal preferences and need for security.

Loading...