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Remove ieodk.xyz from browser settings

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

What is ieodk.xyz?

ieodk.xyz is one of many fake search engines on the internet. Typically, they are promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are also categorized as browser hijackers. Note that ieodk.xyz is promoted through a PUA called CERX, however, other browser hijackers (for example, APP) might also be used.

PUAs promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings. Furthermore, most browser hijackers gather browsing data. CERX is related to another PUA called QIP. People do not generally download/install browser hijackers or other PUAs intentionally.

ieodk.xyz browser hijacker

In most cases, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Once installed, CERX, APP (and possibly some other browser hijackers) assign them to ieodk.xyz.

Therefore, people who have browsers hijacked by an app that promotes ieodk.xyz are forced to visit this address when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. The address of this fake search engine is opened through qxsearch.com, another dubious address.

To avoid being redirected to these addresses and remove ieodk.xyz from the aforementioned settings, CERX, APP or other unwanted applications that have hijacked the browser must be uninstalled. If not, these apps will reassign settings after any attempts are made to change or undo them.

There are other reasons to uninstall browser hijackers and operating systems. Typically, apps of this type collect details such as users' IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations and other details. Some browser hijackers (and other PUAs) record sensitive, personal details.

Furthermore, the developers often sell the data to third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Note that CERX, APP and other apps that are related to ieodk.xyz do not change browser settings, however, they redirect users to ieodk.xyz when web searches are made.

Threat Summary:
Name ieodk.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s) CERX, APP and other browser hijackers.
Supposed Functionality Apps that promote fake search engines supposedly enhance the browsing experience.
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names (ieodk.xyz) Forcepoint 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)

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Browser hijackers are often advertised as legitimate, useful applications that supposedly deliver various features. Unfortunately, most are useless and are simply designed to help developers to generate revenue.

People who have these apps installed on their browsers and/or operating systems risk becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, etc. Uninstall all PUAs as soon ads possible. Some other examples of apps that are classified as browser hijackers include Landslide Search, Smart Searches Now and Get Video Converter.

How did ieodk.xyz install on my computer?

In some cases, PUAs can be downloaded from their download sites, however, most people download and/or install them inadvertently. Typically, this happens when software developers distribute them using the "bundling" method or when people click deceptive ads.

Developers use "bundling" to trick people into downloading and/or installing potentially unwanted applications together with regular programs. They include PUAs into download/installation set-ups and hide related information in "Custom", "Advanced" or other options and settings of the set-ups.

People who download/install their software without checking and changing these settings often inadvertently allow additional PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs should be downloaded from official websites and not through third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), dubious websites or other similar channels.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the download and/or installation setup and deselect offers to download and/or install additionally-included software. Do not click intrusive advertisements, especially if they are displayed on untrustworthy sites.

These can redirect to untrustworthy (potentially malicious) websites and sometimes cause download/installation of unwanted programs. Check for unwanted applications (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) installed on the browser, and remove them immediately.

Also remove software of this kind from 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 ieodk.xyz through qxsearch.com (GIF):

ieodk.xyz gets opened through qxsearch.com in gif

Download web page of a fake Firefox updater installs a PUA, which is designed to promote ieodk.xyz:

shady page encourages update Firefox through fake updater that installs some PUA

CERX asks permission to access data, tabs and browsing activity:

CERX requires permission to access various data

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:

ieodk.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.

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

ieodk.xyz redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing ieodk.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" and "CERX"), select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing ieodk.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://ieodk.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 ieodk.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 "CERX", or other PUA.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ieodk.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 ieodk.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 "CERX", "APP") and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing ieodk.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 "CERX", "APP" or other PUA. look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ieodk.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 ieodk.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 "ieodk.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 ieodk.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 ieodk.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 "CERX", "APP", etc.).

Change your homepage:

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

Change your default search engine:

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

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ieodk.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 ieodk.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.

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