How to Remove Browser Hijackers from Any Browser: A Complete Guide

Has your Chrome browser suddenly changed its homepage or search engine? Are you bombarded with pop-up ads or constantly redirected to suspicious websites? If your browser is behaving strangely, you might have fallen victim to a browser hijacker – a sneaky piece of unwanted software that installed itself on your Chrome app.

Browser hijacking is a threat to your privacy and security. It can track your online activity, steal sensitive information like passwords or financial details, and even damage your device by installing other malicious software. 

This guide explains how to remove browser hijackers from all browsers, including Chrome, what you can do to protect your data, and how to avoid future attacks. Whether you’re a Windows or macOS user, you’ll find easy-to-follow steps tailored to your operating system.

What Is a Browser Hijacker?

A browser hijacker is unwanted software that changes your browser settings, opens pop-ups without your consent, or redirects you to specific pages. These programs operate differently depending on the intent of those who created them. Some may replace your homepage, change your search engine, or bombard you with ads. In severe cases, the software will even steal sensitive information, such as your passwords and banking details.

Browser hijackers are created to exploit your device and data in harmful ways, including:

• • Generating revenue by bombarding you with intrusive ads or redirecting you to specific websites
  • Redirecting you to websites that mimic legitimate ones to log the details you type in
  • Tracking your activity around the web to sell your data
  • Turning on your device’s camera or microphone through your Chrome browser

How Browser Hijackers Get onto Your Computer

Browser hijacker infections often start after you click an infected link, download freeware, or visit an unsafe website with adware or spyware. Even trusted add-ons could introduce hidden hijacker malware to your browser. Cybercriminals can bundle malicious software with legitimate software on third-party stores that don’t offer proper security checks. Apps and add-ons that don’t get regular updates or have a security vulnerability can also give browser hijackers a way onto your device. Here’s where they tend to hide:

• • Shareware: Commercial software offered for trial use at little or no cost with usually limited functionality illegally shared on third-party sites or stores.
  • Freeware (not free software): Any copyrighted software, application, or program you can freely download, install, and use offered on a third-party site or via torrenting.
  • Adware: Software that displays advertisements for products or services to entice you to click or make a purchase. Some adware exploits a vulnerability in your browser or device to infect your computer with malware without you even clicking on the ad.
  • Spyware: Monitoring software that gains access to your browser or device without your knowledge and records your every move.
  • Browser extensions: Special toolbars that you can add to your browser for simpler online navigation or to let you control how websites load and behave.

How Browser Hijacking Works

Browser hijackers work by installing software that piggybacks on your preferred browser, altering its settings to redirect you to specific websites, or letting it install additional malicious software without you noticing. In serious cases, a browser hijacker installs spyware or ransomware to steal your sensitive data or force you to pay a ransom.

Examples of common browser hijackers on Windows include:

Browser Hijacker	Description
GoCouponSearch	A rogue application claiming to save you money by providing discount coupons. It changes your browser’s search engine, redirects your queries, displays ads, and tracks your searches.
GoSave	A browser add-on promising to save time and money with special offers. It is intrusive and displays advertisements regardless of your preferences.
Babylon Toolbar	Malware disguised as free translation software. It changes browser settings, redirects searches, and forces your homepage to the Babylon homepage.
CoolWebSearch	Installs with other free programs or apps. Adds suspicious bookmarks, creates desktop shortcuts, and slows browser performance.
RocketTab	Bundled software that installs multiple toolbars, slows web page loading, and displays intrusive pop-up ads.
Ask Toolbar	Bundled with other downloads, it redirects keyword searches to Ask.com and changes your default homepage to Ask.com.
Bing Redirect	Redirects your browser searches to Bing through malicious means. (Mac only)
Yahoo Redirect	Redirects browser searches to Yahoo without user consent. (Mac only)
Search Baron	Changes your browser’s default search engine and redirects to ad-heavy pages. (Mac only)
Safe Finder	Redirects searches and changes browser settings to promote fake search engines. (Mac only)
Trovi	Alters browser settings and redirects users to ad-laden pages. (Mac only)
Weknow.ac	Fake search engine that changes default browser settings and promotes advertising revenue. (Mac only)

All of these are fake search engines (AKA browser redirect viruses) that change your browser’s “new tab” and “default search” settings. They send you to a custom search page packed with adverts that give the attackers advertising revenue.

8 Signs You Have a Browser Hijacker

If you’re wondering whether your browser has been hijacked, here are the tell-tale signs:

1. Your mouse starts moving on its own
2. Your homepage or search engine has changed without your consent
3. Passwords for your online accounts no longer work
4. Pop-up ads appear frequently, often with unwanted ads or messages intended to scare you into clicking
5. Your online searches redirect you to unrelated sites you didn’t click on
6. You notice unfamiliar charges or payments on your credit card
7. A message appears on your screen demanding payment for your system to work again
8. You notice unexplained slow performance on Chrome or unusual freezes or crashes

How to Get Rid of Browser Hijackers on Windows 10 & 11

Dealing with a browser hijacker can be frustrating, but you don’t have to put up with it. Follow these steps to clean up your browsers, like Edge or Chrome, and computer, remove any unwanted software, and get things back to normal. 

1. Clear Your System’s DNS Cache

Clearing your browser cache may sever currently ongoing connections to malicious software programs. This gives you a bit of time to deal with the malicious software before the browser hijackers can interfere. To do this, click the Start menu’s search bar, type “cmd” and press enter. Once Command Prompt opens, type “ipconfig /flushdns” then press enter again. Close the program when it’s done.

2. Uninstall Unwanted Programs

Type “Control Panel” into your search bar then click to open the result. Click Programs then Programs and Features (depending on your version of Windows) and scan your installed programs for ones you don’t recognize. Delete any recently installed programs that look suspicious, but be careful with what you uninstall to avoid deleting important programs.

3. Run Antivirus Software

Cybersecurity experts generally agree that Windows Security is a good antimalware program, which means you don’t need to install another one. Instead, click the up arrow (^) on your taskbar and click the Windows Security logo to open it. Then click Virus & threat protection and select Scan options. Choose Full Scan and click the ‘Scan now’ button to have the program search for and remove malware on your system.

4. Reset Your Browser to Its Default Settings

Here’s how:

Chrome	Mozilla Firefox	Microsoft Edge
Open Chrome.	Open Mozilla Firefox.	Start Edge.
Click on the 3-dot menu and choose Settings.	Click on the 3-line menu and open Help.	From the 3-dot menu, click Settings.
Scroll down and open Advanced.	Select More troubleshooting information.	Select Reset settings from the left-hand menu.
From the bottom, click Reset and cleanup.	Click Refresh Firefox.	Click Restore settings to reset their default values.
Click on Restore settings to reset their original defaults.

5. Reinstall Your Browser

If you’ve followed all the previous steps and nothing changed, then uninstalling and reinstalling your browser may remove the browser hijacker. To delete Chrome, for example, follow the 2nd step above and look for Chrome in your installed programs. Select it and uninstall it. Then open Microsoft Edge to search for and install Chrome again.

How to Get Rid of Browser Hijackers on MacOS

If you think you have a browser hijacker on your Mac, you first need to locate and remove the malware. In System Information, you can see all your applications, including hidden ones that run in the background.

1. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac.
2. Click Overview and select System Report.
3. Expand the software section, then click Applications.
4. On the ‘Last Modified’ column, arrange applications by the latest date of modification.
5. Uninstall any recently installed unknown applications – just be careful it’s not an important program Apple installed in a recent update.
6. Go to the CPU tab and look for programs with high CPU usage. If you see a program you don’t recognize, search for it online to see if it’s legitimate.
7. If you think the program is malware, copy its location address.
8. Uninstall the program in the ‘Applications’ section or go to the specific folder address and permanently delete the entire folder.

You may also need to uninstall suspicious browser extensions and reset your default homepage and search engine. Here’s how to do it on either Safari or Chrome:

On Safari

1. Go to Safari > Preferences.
2. Click General.
3. In the ‘Homepage’ section, change your homepage back to your preferred address.
4. Next, click the Extensions tab on the toolbar.
5. Select the extension’s name to view its details and permissions or uninstall it in the large view box.

On Chrome

1. Click the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
2. From the settings menu, find the ‘Search engine’ section.
3. Choose Manage search engines and site search.
4. Look through the list under Search engines and remove any you don’t want to use, then click the three dots next to your preferred search engine and select Make default.
5. Back on the main settings menu, go to the ‘On Startup’ section.
6. Choose Open the New Tab page.
7. Look at the settings menu again and select Extensions, which will open a new tab.
8. On the new tab, click Details > View in Chrome Web Store for every extension and look at its developer’s details and ratings.
9. If you think the extension may be malware, click the ‘Remove from Chrome’ button.
10. You can also click Flag concern to send a report to Google’s support team who will look into the extension.

9 Ways to Prevent Browser Hijacking

It’s easier to prevent browser hijacking than to get rid of unwanted software. Here are 7 tips to keep your browser safe and malware-free.

1. Avoid Links, Attachments, and Downloads From Suspicious Sources

Always check the source before clicking or downloading anything, even in messages or emails from friends. Suspicious links or email attachments can install browser hijackers or other malware onto your device.

2. Always Check What You’re Installing 

Many software installation wizards include pre-ticked options for toolbars or extensions. Read the instructions carefully and deselect unnecessary features to avoid hidden malware.

3. Steer Clear of Free Software and Software Repositories

You know the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”? Well, you could say the same about free programs. Freeware sometimes comes with bundled malware, including browser hijackers. Always double-check to make sure the free program you’re downloading is legitimate. It’s also important to only download browser extensions from trusted sources like the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, and Mozilla’s add-ons site.

4. Use a Secure, Private Browser

Private browsers don’t store data about your activity and often have built-in anti-tracking capabilities. This helps you avoid hijacking threats and keeps your data safe. 

5. Disable JavaScript

While JavaScript powers interactive content, it can also expose you to risks. Disabling it can reduce your exposure to malicious threats, though it may limit website functionality.

6. Use Antivirus Software and a VPN

The best way to protect yourself from browser hijackers is to rely on good cybersecurity software. A decent antimalware program will regularly check for and remove suspicious files and programs from your computer. A good VPN will protect your connection while you’re browsing. CyberGhost VPN comes with a free browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. This extension offers limited VPN server options compared to our app but still protects your browser activity with strong encryption. If you want to secure your online activity across your whole device, you can download any of our native apps for popular devices.

Get CyberGhost VPN

7. Don’t Forget to Update Your Browser

Don’t disregard software updates for your apps or operating system. Updates protect you from viruses and bugs, including browser hijackers.

8. Avoid Suspicious Websites

Before you enter any personal data onto a website, make sure the site is legitimate. See if the URL has any misspellings as this is a sign of a fraudulent website. You can also make sure the connection is secure – look for the “S” in HTTPS. When in doubt, it’s best to rather close the site.

9. Clear Your Cookies

Browser cookies can be convenient, but they’re not good for your digital privacy and security. Cybercriminals can hijack cookies to access your browsing sessions. Regularly clear out your cookies, history, and cache. It speeds up your browsing experience and lets you surf the net with improved privacy.

FAQ