Malware Trace

Removing browser hijacker from Firefox

To get rid of malicious code in your browser, like annoying ads, the first step is to uninstall bad extensions or plugins. This usually works, but for really stubborn stuff, a full browser reset might be needed. However, keep in mind that resetting erases your personalized data. So, try the uninstall method first. If that doesn't work, then go for the reset. It's like cleaning your room: you start by getting rid of the clutter, but if it's really messy, you might need to do a deep clean that involves resetting everything.

Here's how to manually remove browser hijacker from Firefox:

• Go to the "Firefox" menu and choose "Add-ons."

• In the Add-ons screen, click on "Extensions" and remove any suspicious ones by clicking "Remove."

• Go back to the "Firefox" menu, choose "Options."

• In the General tab, click "Restore to Default" in the Home Page section.

• Go to the "Search" tab or click the magnifying glass in the search bar and pick "Change Search Settings."

• In the "Default Search Engine" section, pick your preferred search engine and save the changes.

• Restart Firefox and browse to see if the problem is gone.

Removing browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge

Removing browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge is essential to prevent disruptive and potentially harmful ads, safeguard your browsing privacy, and ensure a smoother and more secure web experience. To manually remove browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click on the three horizontal dots (menu icon) in the upper-right corner.

• Go to "Extensions" in the menu.

• Look for any suspicious or unwanted extensions and click "Remove" next to each of them.

This process should help you remove browser hijacker and restore your browser's normal functionality

Resetting Mozilla Firefox clears added extensions, themes, and certain settings, but it leaves your bookmarks, browsing history, and cookies untouched. This process removes website permissions, extra search engines, download data, and various customizations. However, it doesn't touch your open tabs, personal dictionary, or auto-fill info. It's like giving your browser a fresh start while keeping your important stuff safe.

For resetting Mozilla Firefox, you can use different methods, but here're some effective ones for your ease:

Method 1. Reset Firefox via Troubleshooting Information

To reset Firefox:

• Open Firefox and click the three-bar button.

• Now select “Help”

• Select "Troubleshooting Information."

• Click "Refresh Firefox" and confirm.

• When the "Import Wizard" appears, click "Finish." This will reset Firefox to its default settings, resolving issues.

Method 2. Easily reach Mozilla's reset page

To quickly reset Mozilla Firefox:

• Open Firefox and type "about:support" in the address bar, then press Enter.

• On the right, find "Give Firefox a tune-up" and click "Refresh Firefox."

• Confirm by clicking "Refresh Firefox" in the pop-up.

• Firefox will close and restart. An "Import Wizard" will show items added after the reset. Just click "Finish."

Method 3. Reset Firefox without launching it

To reset Firefox without opening it normally:

• Open Firefox in "Safe Mode" by holding the Shift key while trying to launch it. If that doesn't work, use your computer's search to find the "Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)" shortcut.

• If you have multiple user profiles, you'll be asked to choose one. Hold Shift while selecting the profile. If you have only one profile, you'll see a message about Firefox Safe Mode.

• Click "Refresh Firefox" in Safe Mode to start the reset process.

Method 4. Reset Firefox via Profile Manager

To reset Firefox using the Profile Manager:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt.
• Type "firefox.exe -p" or "firefox.exe -P" and press OK.

• In the Firefox Profile Manager, select "default" and click "Delete Profile."

• Confirm by clicking "Delete Files."

• Finally, click "Exit." This process resets Firefox by removing the profile, which includes your settings and data.

When you reopen Firefox, the Import Wizard appears. It asks where you want to import settings, bookmarks, passwords, history, and more from, helping you set up your browser again.

Method 5. Reinstall Mozilla Firefox browser

If your Firefox browser still has issues after trying these fixes, you can reinstall it. This means you remove it and then download it again. Here's how:

• Close Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of Firefox (the menu button) and select "Exit" to close the browser.

• Uninstall Firefox: Right-click on the "Start" menu (or go to "Control Panel" on Windows 7/Vista, or "Add/Remove Programs" on Windows XP). Look for "Mozilla Firefox" in the list of installed programs and click "Uninstall."

• Use Uninstall Wizard: If the Uninstall Wizard doesn't start, locate the "helper.exe" file in one of these folders: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\uninstall\helper.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\uninstall\helper.exe. Double-click it, and when the "User Account Control" window appears, click "Yes" to continue. Follow the prompts in the Uninstall Wizard, click "Next," "Uninstall," and finally, "Finish."

• Delete Firefox Folder: After uninstalling Firefox, you'll need to delete the Firefox installation folder. Look for it in one of these locations: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox or C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox.

• Remove User Data (Optional): If you want to remove your bookmarks, history, and other user data, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard, type "%APPDATA%\Mozilla\" and hit "OK." In the "Mozilla" folder, you'll see a folder named "Firefox" – delete it.

• Reinstall Firefox: Once you've uninstalled Firefox and removed user data (if desired), you can reinstall it. To ensure you get the safe and official version, use another browser to visit Mozilla's official download page. Download the Firefox installer to your PC.

There are multiple methods to reset Microsoft Edge. We offer four solutions, and the choice depends on the severity of the issue. For minor problems, quicker fixes may work. However, if you're dealing with a potentially unwanted program, it's best to perform a complete reset. Let's continue with the step-by-step instructions.

Method 1. Clear Edge data to reset the browser

To reset Microsoft Edge by clearing browser data, follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner (that's the menu button). Then, scroll down and click on "Settings."

• Look for or search in the search box "Clear Browsing Data" option and click on "Choose what to clear."

• A new window will pop up, showing different types of data. Usually, the first three or four options are automatically selected, but it's a good idea to check all. Then, click the "Clear Now" button.

If your Microsoft Edge is not responding and you can't start the reset because the browser won't close, here's what you can do:

• Click the "Start" button and open "Task Manager."

• In the list of processes, find "Microsoft Edge." Right-click on each entry and choose "Go to details."

• In the details tab, find the Microsoft Edge entries again, right-click on them, and select "End Task."

This will help you force-close Microsoft Edge so you can proceed with the reset. Remember, clearing your browser data can help fix issues and make your browser work smoothly again.

Method 2. Utilize PowerShell to perform a Microsoft Edge reset

If Microsoft Edge is giving you trouble, like running slow, not loading websites, or showing error messages, you can try this method to fix it:

• Create a new administrator account on your computer. You can do this by opening "File Explorer" and typing in the following: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe

• Select the existing folders, right-click on them, and choose "Delete."

• Go back to your regular account and open "PowerShell." You can do this by pressing the Windows button or clicking the Start icon, then typing "powershell." Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator."

• In the PowerShell window, paste this command: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}

• Press "Enter" and let the command run. It will reset Microsoft Edge. You'll see the command running.
• Once it's done, Edge will be fully reset and should work better.
• Finally, enter this command: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
• This will reinstall Microsoft Edge on your computer.

Method 3. Remove Microsoft Edge registry entries to eliminate user settings and preferences

If you have a problem with Microsoft Edge due to a browser hijacker or adware, you can fix it by deleting certain settings in the Windows Registry. Here's how:

• Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key and the "R" key at the same time. In the dialog box that appears, type "regedit" and press Enter.

• In the Registry Editor, go to this location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge

• Delete the content inside this location.
• Close the Registry Editor.
• You might see a prompt asking you to restart your device. If you do, go ahead and restart it.

Method 4. Use System File Checker to check for viruses and ensure your system is free from them

If Microsoft Edge is still not working well and you suspect something worse might be going on, you can use Command Prompt to check for hidden problems. Here's how:

• Click the "Start" button, type "Command Prompt," and choose "Run as administrator."

• In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.

• The process will take a bit of time.

• Wait for it to finish, and it might help fix any more serious issues with Microsoft Edge.

Method 5. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

If the previous methods didn't work, you can completely reset Microsoft Edge by uninstalling it from your computer and then downloading it again from the official website. It's a quick process that might solve persistent problems.

There are more secure and better browsers for today's internet. But, if you want to stick with IE and just need to fix it, you can reset it. This means taking it back to its original settings. Here are five ways to do it:

Method 1. Use "System File Checker" to reset Internet Explorer settings safely

Here's how to reset Internet Explorer using the "System File Checker" option:

• If you have Windows 10, you can open Command Prompt (Admin) in two ways: by pressing Win+X and selecting it from the menu, or by typing "cmd" in the search bar, right-clicking Command Prompt, and choosing "Run as Administrator."

• For Windows 8/8.1, go to Apps screen -> Windows System -> Command Prompt. For Windows 7, Vista, or XP, click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt.
• When a window asks for permission (User Account Control), click "Yes" to let it make changes.
• In the command line, type "SFC /SCANNOW" and press Enter.

• Wait for the process to finish. It will check for and fix any issues, including problems with Internet Explorer.

This helps ensure Internet Explorer works better by correcting any errors it might have.

Method 2. Use "Reset Settings" option to restore Internet Explorer to default

To reset Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer and pick “Tools” menu in the top right corner. If you don't see the "Tools" menu, press "Alt."

• Click on "Tools" and select "Internet Options."

• Go to the "Advanced" tab.

• In the "Advanced" tab, click on "Reset." If you have an older version of IE like Internet Explorer 6, click "Restore Default."

• Check the box that says "Delete personal settings" in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings box. Then, click "Reset."

Note that this will remove your browsing history, search providers, home pages, and more.

• After Internet Explorer finishes applying the default settings, click "Close," and then choose "OK."

• Restart Internet Explorer, and it should be reset to its default settings.

Method 3. Reset IE via "inetcpl.cpl" command for a fresh browser start

To reset Internet Explorer:

• Close IE.
• Click Start, then Run.

• Type "inetcpl.cpl" and press OK.

• In Internet Properties, go to the Advanced Tab and click Reset.

• Check "Delete Personal Settings" and click Reset.

• Wait for IE to finish and click Close.

This process refreshes IE, clearing settings and personal data.

Method 4. Reset IE by deleting user profiles

Resetting Internet Explorer using the registry is a bit tricky, so be careful and back up your registry first. Here's how:

• Open the "Registry Editor" by typing "Run" in the search bar and clicking on it.

• Type "regedit" and press Enter.

• When asked by User Account Control, click "Yes" to allow changes.
• In the Registry Editor, find and delete a key called "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer]." Confirm by clicking "Yes" to delete it and everything under it.

• Next, delete anything related to IE under "Application Data" or "Local Settings."

This process clears out IE's settings, but be cautious because mistakes here can cause problems. Backup your registry before you start in case you need to undo any changes.

Method 5. Reinstall Internet Explorer

If none of the previous methods worked to fix Internet Explorer (IE), you can try reinstalling it. Here's how:

Uninstalling IE:

• Go to the Control Panel and look for "Uninstall a Program" (or "Add/Remove Programs" in older versions of Windows) under the Programs section.

• Click on "Turn Windows features on or off."

• Find "Internet Explorer" in the Windows Features window, uncheck it.

• Confirm by clicking "Yes" and then "OK." This may require a computer restart.

Reinstalling IE:

Now, you have two options to reinstall IE:

Option 1:

• Go to the Control Panel, then "Uninstall a Program" (or "Add/Remove Programs").

• Click "Turn Windows features on or off."

• Check "Internet Explorer" in the list, click OK, and wait for changes to apply. Restart your PC if asked.

Option 2:

Use another web browser already installed on your computer and visit the official Internet Explorer website to download and install it.

This process ensures you have a fresh installation of IE on your computer. If IE was causing problems before, this might help. But remember, you can also consider using other more modern and secure web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge as alternatives to Internet Explorer.

Before resetting Safari, make a backup of important data. Then, follow the steps in this guide to reset Safari and clear unwanted changes while keeping your vital information safe.

Method 1. Erase browsing history in Safari browser

Resetting Safari by clearing its history is easy. Just follow these steps:

• Open Safari.
• Click on the "Safari" menu at the top.

• In the menu, select "Clear History..."

• You can pick how far back you want to erase your browsing history, like the last hour or all of it.
• Click "Clear History."

This will remove the websites you've visited and any saved data. It's a quick way to clean up your browsing history in Safari.

Method 2: Clear out web caches in Safari browser

To fully reset Safari, you might need to clear its web caches, especially if the first method didn't fix your browser problems. This can be a bit trickier to find because it's in the "Develop" menu.

Here's how to do it:

• Open Safari.
• Click on the "Safari" menu and pick "Preferences..."

• In the window that opens, go to the "Advanced" tab.
• Check the box that says "Show Develop in the menu bar."

• You'll see a new "Develop" option in the top toolbar.
• Click on "Develop" and choose "Empty Caches."

If you want a faster way, you can press "Option + Command + E" at the same time.

This helps clear out stored data that might be causing issues in Safari.

Method 3: Remove harmful or suspicious extensions from Safari

Sometimes, when you add new stuff to your web browser like extensions or plugins, it can make your browser act strangely. This can happen because some extensions, which are supposed to make your browsing better, might be created by shady developers who want to do bad things like collecting your information or sending you to unsafe websites.

If the previous methods we talked about didn't fix your browser issues, you should check if there are any bad extensions causing the problems. Here's how you can do it:

• Open Safari.
• Click on the "Safari" menu and choose "Preferences..."

• In the window that pops up, click on the "Extensions" tab.

• Look at the list of extensions carefully. If you see any that you didn't add or look suspicious, remove or disable them. You can even turn off all extensions to see if that's what's causing the trouble.

• After dealing with extensions, go to the "Security" tab and uncheck the box that says "Allow Plug-ins." You can also customize which websites can use plugins by selecting "Plug-in Settings..."

• Finally, restart Safari after doing all these steps.

This should help you get rid of any bad stuff that's causing problems in your browser and make it work better.

Method 4. Manually restore Safari to defaults

Sometimes, the usual methods for resetting Safari might not completely fix the problems you're facing. In such cases, you can try a deeper reset by moving some important folders and deleting certain files. Here's how to do it:

• Close all open programs.
• Click on the "Go" menu in the top toolbar.
• While holding down the "Option" key, you'll see a new option called "Library" – click on it.

• In the Library window, find the "Safari" folder and move it to your desktop or somewhere safe.

Next, go back to the Library folder and delete specific files from these folders:

• In the "Saved Application State" folder, look for a folder named "com.apple.Safari.savedState" and delete it.
• In the "Caches" folder, find all folders that start with "com.apple.Safari" and delete them.
• In the "Cookies" folder, find a file called "com.apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.binarycookies" and send it to the trash.
• In the "Preferences" folder, delete any files that have "com.apple.Safari" in their names.

By combining these manual steps with the built-in features we talked about earlier, you should be able to fix issues with your Safari browser and enjoy smooth browsing once again. This deeper reset helps you get rid of any stubborn problems that the regular reset might not solve.