How to uninstall HowToSuite?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
HowToSuite is a deceptive application developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. This application falsely claims to provide hundreds of various "how-to" tutorials.
These promises often trick users into believing that HowToSuite is legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) modification of web browser settings, and; 3) tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
Following infiltration, HowToSuite hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to hp.myway.com. In addition, the app reassigns browser settings when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are automatically redirected to hp.myway.com, significantly diminishing the web browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking. Be aware that HowToSuite continually records various information relating to Internet browsing activity.
The collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) might contain personal details that Mindspark Interactive Network shares with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue.
Thus, the presence of an information-tracking app can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall the HowToSuite browser hijacker immediately.
Name | HowToSuite browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), AVG (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Browser Extension(s) | HowToSuite |
Supposed Functionality | This app supposed to improve browsing experience |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.67.240.173 |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens browser-hijacking applications developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, all of which are identical to HowToSuite.
Although HowToSuite, MyTelevisionHQ, SimplePackageFinder, MapMyWayFree, and other Mindspark Interactive Network products offer different functionality, all have identical behavior. The only purpose of these applications is to generate revenue for the developers - they cause unwanted redirects and continually record various user-system information.
How did HowToSuite install on my computer?
HowToSuite is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also distribute it by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Therefore, many users install HowToSuite inadvertently, without consent, since developers hide bundled applications within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing the this stage and skipping steps often leads to inadvertent installation of third party applications such as HowToSuite.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. In addition, decline offers to download/install additional applications.
Files and programs should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), questionable websites, and other channels. Quite often users who download and/or install programs through them download and/or install unwanted, potentially malicious apps too.
Files and program should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Advertisements that appear on unreliable pages should not be clicked. Those ads tend to open untrustworthy websites or download, install unwanted apps.
If there are any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins or add-ons) installed on a web browser, then they should be removed from it right away.
The same should done with software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with HowToSuite, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Installation setup of HowToSuite browser hijacker:
Website promoting HowToSuite browser hijacker:
Notification saying that HowToSuite can read and change certain data (Chrome):
Notification saying that HowToSuite can access various data (Firefox):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HowToSuite application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove HowToSuite browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
HowToSuite browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "HowToSuite Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
HowToSuite browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the howtosuite browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "HowToSuite" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable HowToSuite, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "Ask Web Search" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the howtosuite browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "HowToSuite", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable HowToSuite, remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with howtosuite browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the howtosuite browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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