Remove MergeDocsOnline toolbar from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
Distributed by Mindspark Interactive Network, MergeDocsOnline presents itself as a legitimate browser toolbar that allows users to merge documents, convert file formats, and other similar features.
These false promises are used to trick users into believing that MergeDocsOnline is a legitimate browser plug-in, however, this extension is categorized as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
The main reasons for these negative associations are stealth installation, modification of browsers settings (i.e. it promotes hp.myway.com - a fake search engine), and tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker overview
After MergeDocsOnline infiltrates Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, it assigns the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings to hp.myway.com. In addition, MergeDocsOnline employs third party browser extensions/apps to prevent users from rolling back these changes.
In doing so, this toolbar significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience, since users are continually redirected to hp.myway.com without warning.
MergeDocsOnline tracks and collects various Internet browsing-related information. Note that some of this information might be personally identifiable, and thus, the presence of MergeDocsOnline on your system may lead to privacy issues. For these reasons, you should eliminate MergeDocsOnline immediately.
| Name | MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | AVG (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potential), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Age), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.147), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | MergeDocsOnline |
| Supposed Functionality | This app can supposedly merge documents and converts various file formats. |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.63.218.220 |
| 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
MergeDocsOnline is identical to other browser toolbars developed by Mindspark Interactive Networks, including MapsMyWayFree, QuickTemplateFinder, EasyPackageTracker and many others. Be aware that toolbars developed by this company offer different features, and yet, all have identical behavior.
After infiltrating the system, the toolbars redirect to hp.myway.com and track Internet browsing activity. None provide users with the features promised - their purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.
How did MergeDocsOnline install on my computer?
MergeDocsOnline and other browser toolbars developed by Mindspark Interactive Networks are distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of additional applications with the chosen software. Most users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software, and thus, bundling applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings is very effective. Many users are unaware that developers intentionally hide installation of bogus apps, and by rushing the download and installation procedures, they often inadvertently install PUAs such as MergeDocsOnline.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent similar computer infections, closely analyze the download and installation processes. Follow each step and opt-out of all third party applications listed for installation. Furthermore, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options when downloading and installing applications - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.
If your computer is already infected with MergeDocsOnline, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker installer set-up:
MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Google Chrome:
MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Mozilla Firefox:
Website promoting MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall MergeDocsOnline application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
MergeDocsOnline 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 (for example, "MergeDocsOnline Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://hp.myway.com 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:
Click the "gear" 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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the mergedocsonline 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "MergeDocsOnline" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable MergeDocsOnline, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.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 "Ask Web Search" 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 mergedocsonline 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "MergeDocsOnline", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable MergeDocsOnline, remove hxxp://hp.myway.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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with mergedocsonline 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.
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 mergedocsonline 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 hp.myway.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to such websites.
Is visiting hp.myway.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like hp.myway.com usually collect (and sell) visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are most commonly spread via installer bundling, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove MergeDocsOnline browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since after one of the browser hijackers is removed - the others may simply re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software present. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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