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Stop browsers opening dubious websites via Getappsonline browser hijackers

Also Known As: Redirects by Getonlineapps applications
Damage level: Medium

What is Getappsonline?

The behaviour and appearance of Getappsonline browser hijackers is virtually identical.

Deceptive marketers offer "unique value" (for example, free online movies) and use this to trick people into installing unwanted browser extensions. Once installed, these apps start to track users' internet browsing activity and redirect to unwanted Internet search engines (which usually redirect to search.yahoo.com).

Getappsonline browser hijacker

Browser hijackers are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since most people download and install them unintentionally. When installed, they change browser settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. Generally, they assign these settings to promote dubious, fake search engines.

People who have browser hijackers installed on their browsers are forced to visit an address of a fake search engine when they open the browser, new tab, or enter a search query into the URL bar. These search engines are useless and provide results gathered by another, usually legitimate search engine such as Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). 

Generally, the only way to remove these addresses from the browser settings is to uninstall the browser hijacker. PUAs can be installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Another problem with PUAs and fake search engines is information tracking: they collect IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened web pages, entered search queries, etc.

People behind these apps/search engines share all recorded details with other parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue. These actions might lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, and so on. Some of the gathered information might be personal, sensitive and used to steal users' identities.

Threat Summary:
Name Getappsonline browser hijackers
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (getappsonline.com) Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (Getappsonline) 173.192.192.16
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
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.
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People often download and install PUAs since they believe that they are useful, include various features, and so on. In fact, most browser hijackers do not operate as advertised and are simply used by developers to gather data and promote fake search engines. We recommend that you uninstall all browser hijackers immediately.

How did Getappsonline install on my computer?

Most people download and install PUAs inadvertently when they click deceptive advertisements or by downloading and installing other software. To trick users into these unintentional downloads/installations, developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include PUAs in download installation set-ups of other software and hide related information in "Advanced", "Custom", and other settings. Many people leave these settings unchanged (they do not check or change them), thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded/installed with other software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download programs from official websites and avoid third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks, third party downloaders, dubious sites, and other similar channels. If a download/installation setup contains settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", check for offers to download or install additional (unwanted) software and deselect them.

Most intrusive ads (especially if displayed on pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.) open potentially malicious pages when clicked. Do not click ads of this type.

Unwanted redirects or annoying ads can often be stopped by uninstalling unknown/unwanted or suspicious add-ons, plug-ins, or extensions installed on the browser, or programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Getappsonline, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Screenshot of a window/new tab of a browser hijacked by the Getonlineapps app:

Website used to promote Getappsonline browser hijacker

List of URLs that are associated with Getappsonline browser hijackers:

amazingosapps.com; appssupply.net; bettersearchtools.com; browsingsafety.com; cosappz.online; ezbrowsing.com; ffgetsplendidapps.com; friendlyappz.com; getawesome4.com; getmedia.zone; getprivately.club; goamuze.com; gomovix.com; gomusix.com; ienjoyapps.com; jetbrowser.com; live-safety.net; medianetnow.com; mixplugin.com; myappsclub.com; myappzcenter.com; myappzcollection.com; myprivacykeeper.com; myprivate-search.com; mysuperappbox.com; mywebprotection.net; njoyapps.com; pdf-convert.online; powerfulappz.com; protectionapps.online; safelybrowsing.com; safelyonline.info; safelyonline.net; safelyonlineapp.com; searchprivately.club; superappbox.com; theappstar.online; theappzkingdom.com; wowmusix.com

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:

Getappsonline browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Getappsonline browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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 applications that cause browser redirects to the Getappsonline website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

 Removal of Getappsonline browser hijackers from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Getappsonline related Internet Explorer extensions

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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:

Removing Getappsonline from Internet Explorer homepage

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove URL of a fake search engine 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:

Removing Getappsonline from Internet Explorer default search engine

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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 a browser hijacker.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the redirects by getonlineapps applications, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Getappsonline related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate a browser hijacker (e.g., "getMovies Now", "Search by getMovies") and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing Getappsonline from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable browser hijacker (e.g., "getMovies Now"), look for a browser hijacker URL 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:

Removing Getappsonline from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 browser hijacker (e.g., "getMovies"), 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 redirects by getonlineapps applications, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Getappsonline related Mozilla Firefox extensions

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

Change your homepage:

Removing Getappsonline from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove unwanted URL (address of a fake search engine) and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing Getappsonline from Mozilla Firefox 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" or URL of a fake search engine.
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with redirects by getonlineapps applications removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the redirects by getonlineapps applications, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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