How to eliminate OriginType browser hijacker and the redirects it causes?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is OriginType?
OriginType is a browser hijacker promoting the search.5k8zh0i.com fake search engine. Software products within this classification are also deemed to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
OriginType overview
Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. To elaborate on how this affects browsing, with OriginType installed: web searches via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to search.5k8zh0i.com search engine.
Fake web searchers are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate search engines. If they can generate search results - they tend to be inaccurate and may endorse dubious/malicious content.
Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques to stop users from restoring their browsers. OriginType has been observed adding the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome browser feature for this purpose.
Furthermore, like most browser hijackers, OriginType has data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes - URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | search.5k8zh0i.com redirect |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (search.5k8zh0i.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijacker examples
PlatformDeploy, MainSearchAdvise, and ProType are a couple examples of browser hijackers. They look legitimate and offer "handy" features, which are rarely functional. This is true of nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted apps can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advert campaigns, and gather private data.
How did OriginType install on my computer?
PUAs are proliferated using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements. By rushing through downloads/installations, users risk allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements are used to spread PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Some PUAs also have "official" download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software and download only from official/verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive ads appear harmless, yet they redirect to various questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
Should users experience adverts and/or redirects of this kind, they must check their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
OriginType's fake search engine (search.5k8zh0i.com) set as the default in Google Chrome:
Permissions allowed to the OriginType browser hijacker on Google Chrome:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
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. Limited seven 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 OriginType?
- STEP 1. Remove OriginType related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OriginType redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OriginType browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OriginType homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
OriginType redirect removal:
Remove OriginType related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove search.5k8zh0i.com redirect related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar, choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
search.5k8zh0i.com redirect homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove search.5k8zh0i.com redirect related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser. From the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the “Set to Current Page” button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labelled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove search.5k8zh0i.com redirect related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
To change your homepage, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage Page.
Change default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and click the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.
In the "Search:" field, type the name of the browser hijacker. Right click on each of the found preferences and click "Reset" from the drop-down menu.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove search.5k8zh0i.com redirect related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "On Startup" section, click the "Set pages" link near to the "Open a specific page or set of pages" option. Remove the URL of the browser hijacker (for example trovi.com) and enter your preferred URL (for example, google.com).
Change default search engine:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "Search" section, click the "Manage search engines..." button. In the opened window, remove the unwanted Internet search engine by clicking the "X" button next to it. Select your preferred Internet search engine from the list and click the "Make default" button next to it.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.5k8zh0i.com website?
Fake search engine and browser hijacker developers generate revenue via these redirects.
Is visiting search.5k8zh0i.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like search.5k8zh0i.com collect information about their visitors - which makes them a privacy threat.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated using social engineering and dubious distribution methods. For example, browser-hijacking software is spread through misleading promotional webpages, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive ads, unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, fake installers/updaters, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove OriginType browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate browser-hijacking apps present. It is noteworthy that manual removal might not be ideal - when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In such cases, when one browser hijacker is uninstalled - the others might re-install it. Additionally, some settings cannot be modified with this software installed. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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