DnsIO

DnsIO is supposed to be a security application that can protect your computer from infections, threats, and fraudulent websites, but, in reality, this is a rather questionable tool that has ended up being labeled as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). After careful testing, we can tell you that this PUP is totally unreliable and, actually, it behaves and functions just the opposite to what you would expect from it. As a matter of fact, this PUP might present some unsafe third-party content to you and there are other factors as well that make us believe that you should remove DnsIO from your computer.

One visit to this PUP’s website, dnsio.net, can already ruin the reliability of this application. The developers made a huge mistake that is such a telltale sign that it could not be a bigger red light at the corner of “Download Street.” How about promoting your security tool that is called DnsIO under a different name? On the main page the marketing line starts as: “LookSafe delivers a superior Internet experience, offering protection from common risks such as malware or phishing websites...”

Can it get worse than that? Well, in fact, it can. What would you think if we told you that LookSafe is actually an identical product developed by the same company. You can find the identical “twin’s” website at looksafe.com; if you would like to compare the two. Of course, we can see that there was some effort put into a different-looking design, but this revelation seriously questions the reliability and intention of both applications.

This is not even the worst issue surrounding DnsIO. It can also enter your computer in a bundle that may be packed with malware infections, including adware apps and browser hijackers. This distribution method clearly makes this PUP suspicious. So, if you did not install this app from its website, there is a good chance that your computer is already under attack by some other, more serious threats. That is why we suggest that you should delete DnsIO and all other related infections as well. How can you find out about them? For example, you can use a free but reliable online malware scanner. That will show you what else is hiding on your system.

When you install DnsIO you are offered an option to make some changes to your browser settings. The app sets the home page to its own website, dnsioweb.net, and the default search engine to Yahoo! unless you opt out. A lot of users overlook this step and that is why they may think that their browsers have been hijacked, even though they themselves initiated or allowed that to happen. Therefore, we advise you to be always attentive when installing software bundles. Once the software is installed it makes arbitrary changes to your DNS settings. That is how this PUP can start to display third-party advertisements, which, by the way, might lead to unsafe websites. We hope that you understand now that keeping DnsIO on your PC might end bad for you and your computer.

The cure for your problem is, of course, removing DnsIO as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this PUP does not have an uninstaller, which makes it a bit more complicated to get rid of. Since it modifies your DNS settings, unless you restore those manually, DnsIO will keep on functioning. After you finish with that, you need to reset the affected browsers, which are Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. You can follow our instructions below to make sure that you get all the steps right.

DnsIO Removal from Windows

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10

1. Press Win+R and type in Control Panel. Click OK.
2. Select Network and Sharing Center (under Network and Internet).
3. Open Change adapter settings or Manage network connections (in Windows Vista).
4. Identify your network. Right-click on it and choose Properties.
5. On the General tab, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)/Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). Press Properties.
6. Mark the Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically radio buttons. Press OK.

Windows XP

1. Open the Start menu and access Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections and right-click on the Local Area Connection.
3. Choose Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press Properties.
5. Mark the Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically radio buttons. Press OK.

How to remove DnsIO from browsers

Internet Explorer

1. Tap Alt+T and choose Internet Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, press Reset.
3. Mark the Delete personal settings checkbox and press Reset.
4. Click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Tap Alt+H and go to Troubleshooting Information.
2. Press Refresh Firefox.
3. In the confirmation window, press Refresh Firefox again.
4. Click Finish.