How to remove Highlighting Text from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Highlighting Text?
During our examination of the Highlighting Text application, we observed its ability to manipulate web browsers by altering their settings. Such applications fall under the category of browser hijackers. It is important to highlight that the majority of users unknowingly add apps like Highlighting Text to their browsers.
Highlighting Text browser hijacker overview
Highlighting Text is promoted as a tool that offers a simple method for users to highlight text within a web browser window and apply backgrounds from a curated image gallery. However, upon closer inspection, it has become evident that Highlighting Text displays traits typically linked to browser hijackers.
Highlighting Text makes bing.com the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page – a recognized and legitimate search engine. However, Highlighting Text is a browser hijacker, so it should not be trusted. Browser hijackers are notorious for displaying unwanted advertisements, potentially exposing users to unsafe or malicious content.
Moreover, they can track users' online activities and collect personal information without permission, raising concerns about data privacy. Overall, browser hijackers erode user control over their browsing experience and pose risks to both security and privacy.
| Name | Highlighting Text |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Highlighting Text |
| Supposed Functionality | Text highlighting feature |
| Promoted URL | bing.com |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
Browser hijackers frequently implant themselves deeply into the system, making their complete removal difficult. Certain browser hijackers are crafted to withstand removal efforts. Furthermore, these hijackers can lead to sluggish system performance and slower internet browsing due to the continuous redirection of searches and the intrusive display of advertisements.
More examples of apps that share similarities with Just Be Productive, Inspirational Quotes Ext, and AwesomeNewTab.
How did Highlighting Text install on my computer?
Users often find their browsers hijacked through deceptive methods. Visiting compromised or malicious websites can lead to unauthorized changes in browser settings without their knowledge. Clicking on malicious ads or links, especially those promoting seemingly helpful tools or software updates, can also trigger browser hijacking.
Additionally, installing software obtained from unreliable sources or clicking on attachments in deceptive emails can introduce browser hijackers on computers. In some cases, browser hijackers are bundled with seemingly legitimate software, catching users off guard during installation.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Exercise caution while downloading and installing software, particularly from unverified sources. Prioritize reading user reviews and pay close attention during installations to identify and deselect bundled software using the "Advanced" or "Custom" settings.
Moreover, refrain from engaging with suspicious advertisements, pop-ups, or dubious links while browsing the internet, as these often serve as entry points for browser hijacking. If your computer is already infected with Highlighting Text, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Highlighting Text shows bing.com results (GIF):
Permissions asked by Highlighting Text browser hijacker:
Website promoting Highlighting Text browser hijacker:
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:
- What is Highlighting Text?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Highlighting Text application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Highlighting Text browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bing.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Highlighting Text browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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 (which cause browser redirects to the bing.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Highlighting Text browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Highlighting Text" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Highlighting Text", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bing.com) 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:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the 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 "bing.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the highlighting text redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Highlighting Text", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Highlighting Text", remove hxxp://bing.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with highlighting text redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
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.
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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:
Click the Edge 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:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge 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 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the highlighting text redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on highlighting text redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit bing.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the bing.com website through a browser hijacker is to increase traffic to bing.com, potentially for financial gain or to appear less suspicious while possibly exposing users to unsafe content or gathering browsing data.
Is visiting bing.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting bing.com is not inherently a threat to your privacy, as it is a legitimate search engine. However, it could indicate a privacy risk if your browser is redirected to bing.com without your consent due to a browser hijacker or other malicious activity.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Your computer might have been infiltrated by a browser hijacker if you acquired software from untrustworthy sources or interacted with misleading ads, pop-ups, or links. These hijackers are occasionally bundled with other software installations, frequently without users realizing their presence.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Highlighting Text browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will conduct a comprehensive scan of your computer and efficiently remove browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal attempts might not provide thorough results, especially when dealing with multiple hijackers that can reinstall themselves. In such situations, it is essential to remove browser-hijacking applications simultaneously.
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