Redirecting Rogue Extensions

What is Redirecting Rogue Extension?

The Internet is full of applications/browser extensions that modify web browser settings without consent. These potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and add-ons are categorized as browser hijackers. In most cases, these so-called browser hijackers infiltrate systems without users' consent - developers proliferate them using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.

Immediately after infiltration, hijackers modify the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browser options by assigning them to a specific URL.

 In most cases, browser hijackers change only the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL options, however, some are also designed to append targets of browser shortcuts with a URL address or modify the target. As a result, users inadvertently visit various websites when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab/window.

These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. Most browser hijackers promote search engines (both legitimate [such as search.yahoo.com or bing.com] and fake [for example, srcbar.com, go.pajosh.com, and others]).

Settings are typically modified in one of two ways: 1) direct URL [e.g., search.yahoo.com], or; 2) browser redirect commands (e.g., "chrome-extension://gcddnkpnineojbpkngblgamaciopbama/newtab/index.html#newTab" [for Google Chrome], "moz-extension://1662cb0c-5d9b-4479-89f1-67642b47bd91/newtab/index.html" [for Mozilla Firefox]).

 In any case, users end up visiting irrelevant/dubious sites. Furthermore, although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them. Most browser hijackers reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as rogue apps are present, returning browsers to their previous state is impossible.

Another important issue is information tracking. Research shows that browser hijackers often record IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other information that often includes personal data.

The information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue - behavior that might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, all browser-hijacking applications must be uninstalled immediately and, unless the promoted sites are legitimate, never return to them.

Threat Summary:

Name	browser-hijacking add-ons
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit 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 browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are dozens of browser-hijacking applications. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) BabyNameReady, Search Manager, Normandoh, and Stream It Where. Almost all offer "useful functionality", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

The only purpose of all browser hijackers is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than enabling any of the functions promised, these PUPs cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information.

How did Redirecting Rogue Extensions install on my computer?

Some browser hijackers have official download/promotion websites, however, in most cases, developers distribute them using intrusive advertisements and the "bundling" method. Intrusive ads redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install various rogue programs (in this case, browser hijackers).

"Bundling" on the other hand, is stealth installation of third party software with regular (typically free) apps. Developers hide "bundled" PUPs within various sections (in most cases "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are careless when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

They click various "tempting" (yet suspicious) links/ads, rush download/installation processes, and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Poor knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution and, therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Intrusive ads often seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites.

Most are delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Having a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running is also paramount.

Website promoting a browser hijacker called "ArcadeTab":

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is redirecting rogue extension?
• STEP 1. Uninstall browser-hijacking applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove unwanted redirects from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove browser hijackers from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove unwanted homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove unwanted redirects from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the unwanted URL website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

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 unwanted URL 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 "unwanted search engine".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the browser-hijacking add-ons, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (e.g., "ArcadeTab"), 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 a rogue extension, look for a browser hijacker URL below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click 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 a suspicious URL, and 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 browser-hijacking add-ons, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins (for example, "ArcadeTab").

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, remove unwanted URL 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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with browser-hijacking add-ons 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 browser-hijacking add-ons, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on browser-hijacking add-ons or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion