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Stop redirects to the qikc.xyz web address

Also Known As: qikc.xyz browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What is qikc.xyz?

qikc.xyz is the address of a fake search engine that is opened through another dubious address (searchgg.xyz). Like most fake search engines, qikc.xyz is promoted through a browser hijacker. Two known apps that promote this address are called APP and CERX, which are related to another potentially unwanted application (PUA) called QIP.

These apps are classified as PUAs, since people do not generally download or install them intentionally. Once installed, however, browser hijackers change browser settings and record browsing data.

qikc.xyz browser hijacker

In most cases, browser hijackers change settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. In this case, these settings (addresses) are changed to qikc.xyz.

Therefore, users of browsers hijacked by APP or other PUAs (such as CERX) that promote qikc.xyz are forced to visit this address when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. The only way to avoid this is to uninstall the browser hijacker, otherwise it will reassign settings after each attempt is made to change them.

Furthermore, most browser hijackers gather information such as entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, geolocations and other details relating to users' browsing habits. Some personal, sensitive details might also be gathered.

Developers share the collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Typically, these third parties misuse the details to generate revenue. Research shows that these particular browser hijackers (APP and CERX) do not in fact change the aforementioned settings, but they monitor when users search, and then redirect them to qikc.xyz.

In any case, this app should be uninstalled immediately. Having apps of this type installed can be the reason behind problems relating to browsing safety, privacy or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name qikc.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s) APP, CERX and other PUAs
Supposed Functionality Apps that promote fake search engines claim to enhance the browsing experience.
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names Websense ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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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Generally, browser hijackers are advertised as legitimate, useful applications. Unfortunately, most are useless and operate simply help developers to generate revenue. Furthermore, people who use these apps or have them installed risk experiencing a number of problems. Examples of other PUAs of this kind include Fast Flight Tracker, Great File Converter and All Day Forecast.

How did qikc.xyz install on my computer?

People usually download and install PUAs inadvertently when they click deceptive ads, which should not be trusted, or they download and/or install various software. In many cases, download/installation set-ups include offers to download or install additional apps.

In most cases, these offers can be found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. This PUA distribution method is called "bundling" and is used to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted apps through the set-ups of other software.

People who leave the aforementioned settings unchanged grant PUAs permission to be downloaded and installed with other (usually free) software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Software should be downloaded from official websites and through direct download links, especially if it is free. Other channels such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients), unofficial web pages, etc., should not be used to download or install software.

If a download or installation setup contains settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", check them carefully. Dismiss offers to download or install unwanted apps. Do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious websites. In most cases, they lead to potentially malicious pages or cause unwanted downloads/installations.

To prevent your browser from causing unwanted redirects and displaying ads, ensure that there are no unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed. Software of this kind should never be installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Hijacked browser opens qikc.xyz address (GIF):

appearance of a hijacker browser that causes redirects to qikc.xyz

Download website of a fake Firefox updater that installs a PUA designed to promote qikc.xyz:

questionable download website of unwanted app which promotes qikc.xyz

Unwanted app (CERX) related to qikc.xyz asking permission to access data, tabs and browsing activity:

app related to qikc.xyz asks for various permissions

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:

qikc.xyz redirect 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.

qikc.xyz 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 qikc.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

qikc.xyz redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing qikc.xyz 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 (like "APP" or "CERX"), select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing qikc.xyz 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 hxxp://qikc.xyz 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 qikc.xyz 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 "APP" or other PUAs (like "CERX").

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the qikc.xyz 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.

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 qikc.xyz 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (such as "APP", "CERX") and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing qikc.xyz 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 "APP" and/or "CERX", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.qikc.xyz) 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 qikc.xyz 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 "qikc.xyz" 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 qikc.xyz browser hijacker, 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 qikc.xyz 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 browser plug-ins (such as "APP", "CERX").

Change your homepage:

Removing qikc.xyz 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 disable "APP" (and/or "CERX"), remove hxxp://qikc.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing qikc.xyz 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: "qikc.xyz"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with qikc.xyz 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, 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 qikc.xyz browser hijacker, 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.

QR Code
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