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How to uninstall CERX and other browser hijackers

Also Known As: guj5.xyz browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What is guj5.xyz?

guj5.xyz is one of many fake search engines promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker called CERX. This PUA is related to another app of this type called QIP. Generally, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Furthermore, most collect data relating to users' browsing activities. Note that guj5.xyz might also be promoted through other browser hijackers (such as Smash App +).

guj5.xyz browser hijacker

Typically, browser hijackers change settings such as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. They ensure that users visit the address of a fake search engine when they open a hijacked browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Research shows that this particular app (CERX) does not change the aforementioned settings. Nevertheless, it detects when users enter search queries and then redirects them to guj5.xyz (which is also opened through qxsearch.com, another dubious web page).

In any case, the only way to stop your browser from opening guj5.xyz (and qxsearch.com) is to uninstall CERX and other apps that promote this fake search engine.

Furthermore, browser hijackers usually collect information relating to users' browsing activity such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing-related data.

Developers tend to misuse the data to generate revenue, and/or sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who use it for the same purpose. Browser hijackers are designed to record browsing data and also personal information.

People who have browsers hijacked by apps of this type are put at risk of problems relating to browsing safety, privacy and so on. It is also possible that recorded data will be misused to steal their identities.

Threat Summary:
Name guj5.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s) CERX, Smash App+
Supposed Functionality Typically, browser hijackers supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address 104.28.0.139
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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Other fake search engines that are promoted through CERX included bhj1.xyz, mkob.xyz and qikc.xyz. Browser hijackers are often advertised as useful and legitimate. They supposedly deliver various features or other value, however, they are generally useless.

They are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue and put users at risk of various problems. Therefore, we recommend that you uninstall CERX, Smash App+ and other browser hijacker from the browser and/or operating system immediately.

How did guj5.xyz install on my computer?

Developers proliferate PUAs via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this method to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted apps together with other programs.

They include PUAs into the download and/or installation set-ups of regular (often free) software and place related information in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings. People who download or install programs without checking these settings often download and/install more than just the selected programs.

These unwanted downloads/installations can also be caused by clicking deceptive ads that are designed to run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All software should be downloaded from official websites (and via direct links). Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, isntallers, and other similar download and installation tools should not be used, since they are often monetized by promoting unwanted applications.

Check all settings ("Advanced", Custom" and so on) of any download or installation setup and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted software. Intrusive advertisements that are displayed on unofficial (dubious) web pages should not be clicked - they can open potentially malicious websites or cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

Finally, remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, and programs of this kind 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.

Deceptive website encourages people to update Firefox with a fake installer designed to install CERX:

guj5.xyz fake firefox update

 CERX asks permission to access certain data:

guj5.xyz edirect cerx permission

Deceptive website encourages to update Firefox with a fake installer that is designed to install Smash App+:

eceptive website encourages to update Firefox with a fake installer that is designed to install CERX:

Smash App+ asks to read data and change certain settings:

guj5-xyz-redirect-permission

CERX forces the browser to open guj5.xyz via qxsearch.com (GIF):

guj5.xyz- edirect appearance in gif image

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Quick menu:

guj5.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.

guj5.xyz browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (like "CERX"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the guj5.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

guj5.xyz redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing guj5.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 "CERX", "Smash App+"), select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing guj5.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://guj5.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 guj5.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 "CERX", "Smash App+" or other PUA.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the guj5.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 guj5.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 (like "Smash App+", and/or "CERX") and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing guj5.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 "Smash App+", "CERX", or other PUA, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.guj5.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 guj5.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 "guj5.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 guj5.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 guj5.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 "CERX", "Smash App+" or other recently installed, unwanted browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

Removing guj5.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", "Smash App+" or other installed PUA, remove hxxp://guj5.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing guj5.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with guj5.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 guj5.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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