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How to remove Movies toolbar browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

Also Known As: Movies! browser hijacker
Damage level: Medium

What is Movies toolbar?

The Movies toolbar browser add-on was created by APN LLC and distributed by Bandoo Media. This plugin claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by providing movie trailers, celebrity birthday information, and video tools. It is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

While the functionality added by Movies toolbar may appear legitimate, this toolbar is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application since it installs without users' consent and modifies the browser settings by assigning the homepage and default search engine fields to search.ask.com

Movies toolbar

Moreover, this toolbar diminishes Internet browser performance and tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording IP addresses, browser types, internet service providers (ISP), cookie information, and web pages visited. At time of research, Movies Toolbar was distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

This add-on installed together with King Translate, 7Zip, and iLivid software. This browser plugin adds no significant value - it is merely a collection of links to various video-related websites (imdb.com, movies.com, etc.) Therefore, you are advised to eliminate this potentially unwanted application from your Internet browser/s.

Movies Toolbar is similar to other adware, which installs together with free software and modifies users' Internet browser settings. Examples include Aartemis and Nationzoom, amongst many others.

To avoid installation of such potentially unwanted programs, express caution when downloading free software since, today, most freeware download websites use deceptive 'download clients' (small programs offering installation of advertised browser plug-ins) in order to monetize their free services.

Be aware that reckless free software downloading can result in adware infections. When downloading free software, inspect each download step and opt-out of installation of promoted programs and browser extensions by clicking the 'decline' button. If you have installed Movies Toolbar, use the removal guide provided to eliminate this adware from your Internet browser/s.

Screenshot of a deceptive free software installer promoting Movies toolbar:

Movies toolbar installer

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Quick menu:

Movies toolbar 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.

Movies toolbar uninstall from Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for "Movies Toolbar for Firefox", "movies Toolbar for Internet Explorer", and "Movies Toolbar for Chrome", select these entries and click "Uninstall " or "Remove".

After uninstalling potentially unwanted programs (which cause browser redirects to the search.ask.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software. Remove all entries that this program detects to ensure your PC is clean from any possible spyware and malware infections.

Movies toolbar removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser plugins:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Movies toolbar from Internet Explorer extensions

Click on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Movies Toolbar", select this entry and click "Remove".

Change homepage:

Removing Movies toolbar from Internet Explorer homepage

Click on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove search.ask.com and enter your preferred domain that 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 default search engine:

Removing Movies toolbar from Internet Explorer default search engine

Click on 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 "Ask.com".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the movies! 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 Movies toolbar from Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate "Movies Toolbar", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Change homepage:

Removing Movies toolbar from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In "On startup" section click "set pages", hover your mouse over search.ask.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Change default search engine:

Removing Movies toolbar from Google Chrome default search engine settings

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings", in the "Search" section click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "Ask.com", now you can add or select your preferred search engine.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the movies! 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Movies toolbar from Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click on the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Movies Toolbar" and "New tab".

Change homepage:

Removing Movies toolbar from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click "Tools", then select "Options", in the opened window remove search.ask.com and enter your preferred domain that will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change 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: "ask.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with movies! 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 movies! 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on movies! browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.ask.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to websites like the search.ask.com site.

Is visiting search.ask.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like search.ask.com typically collect information relating to their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers like Movies toolbar are primarily spread through bundled program installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Movies toolbar browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all the browser hijackers installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Hence, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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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.

QR Code
Movies! browser hijacker QR code
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