How to get rid of Wanderlustar (wanderlustar.com) browser hijacker

What kind of extension is Wanderlustar?

Wanderlustar is a browser extension that we inspected and found to have the traits of a browser hijacker. It is marketed as a travel-themed new tab tool that displays scenic photos and lets users search the web. Once added to the browser, however, it changes search and new tab settings to wanderlustar.com.

Software of this kind is also treated as a privacy risk, since these extensions often track browsing activity. We recommend that users avoid installing Wanderlustar and remove it from their browsers if it is already present, along with any other unfamiliar extensions found at the same time.

Wanderlustar browser hijacker overview

When installing Wanderlustar, Chrome shows a permission request stating that the extension can replace the new tab page and change the browser's default search engine to wanderlustar.com. Once granted, every new tab and most searches typed into the address bar are routed through wanderlustar.com instead of whatever search engine the user had set up before.

Wanderlustar.com itself is little more than a full-screen background photo with a search box placed over it, and it cannot generate its own search results.

When we entered a search term, wanderlustar.com redirected to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate search engine. That said, where a redirect lands can vary depending on a user's geolocation and other factors, so other engines or websites may appear instead.

Interestingly, Wanderlustar's own promotional page states that its search features are powered by Microsoft Bing, yet the redirect we observed during testing went to Yahoo instead.

Like many browser hijackers, Wanderlustar may rely on persistence-ensuring techniques, such as restricting access to browser settings or quietly restoring its changes if a user tries to switch back to their previous search engine or new tab page.

Extensions in this category often have data-tracking capabilities, and this may apply to Wanderlustar as well. Information of interest can include visited URLs, viewed pages, entered search queries, browser cookies, IP addresses, and approximate geolocation data, which can later be sold to advertisers or other third parties.

Overall, browser hijackers like Wanderlustar are linked to privacy violations, unwanted advertising, and exposure to unreliable or harmful websites. We recommend removing Wanderlustar as soon as it is found.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Hijacker, Hijacker, Hijacker, and Hijacker are merely a few of our newest articles.

Browser-hijacking extensions typically promise handy features, such as quick access to images, weather, or shopping deals, but these extras rarely work as advertised and exist mainly to push traffic toward a chosen search page.

How did Wanderlustar infiltrate my computer?

Wanderlustar has its own promotional webpage at wanderlustar.com, which links directly to its Chrome Web Store listing and offers a one-click install button. Pages like this are often reached through redirects generated by websites that use rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or spam browser notifications.

Browser hijackers are also commonly distributed through the bundling method, in which unwanted extensions are packaged together with regular free software. Pre-bundled installers are typically downloaded from freeware sites and free file-hosting pages, and rushing through installation by skipping the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings makes it easier for these extras to slip through unnoticed.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software before downloading it and using only official or verified sources. During installation, take time to read the terms, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" settings whenever they are offered, and deselect any additional extensions, toolbars, or apps that you do not recognize.

It also helps to stay alert while browsing, since intrusive ads and pop-ups often look harmless but can lead to redirects toward dubious or even dangerous websites. Avoid allowing notifications from sites you do not fully trust, and keep your operating system, browsers, and security software updated.

If you keep encountering unwanted redirects or search engine changes, check your browser extensions and remove anything suspicious. If your computer is already affected by Wanderlustar, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Wanderlustar's official promotional webpage:

Permissions requested by Wanderlustar browser hijacker:

Appearance of wanderlustar.com redirecting users to Yahoo (GIF):

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:

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is Wanderlustar?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Wanderlustar browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove wanderlustar.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove wanderlustar.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

Wanderlustar 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 "Wanderlustar" 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 "Wanderlustar", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.wanderlustar.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 "wanderlustar.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 wanderlustar browser hijacker, 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 "Wanderlustar", 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 "Wanderlustar", remove hxxp://wanderlustar.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 wanderlustar 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, 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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 wanderlustar browser hijacker, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit websites like wanderlustar.com?

Redirects like this generate traffic for wanderlustar.com. More visits typically translate into more advertising revenue for the people behind the extension, which is the main reason browser hijackers are created in the first place.

Is visiting wanderlustar.com a threat to my privacy?

It can be. Fake or low-quality search engines often log visitor data such as search queries, browsing habits, and approximate location, which may later be shared with or sold to other companies. Visiting wanderlustar.com is therefore considered a minor privacy risk.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers like Wanderlustar are usually installed directly from their own promotional pages or the Chrome Web Store, but they can also arrive bundled with other free software, through deceptive ads, or via spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Wanderlustar browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove installed browser-hijacking extensions. Manual removal can be unreliable when several hijackers are present, since they may reinstall each other or restrict access to removal-related settings, so it is best to eliminate them all at once with dedicated security software.