Are your internet browser’s homepage, newtab and default search provider overridden and when you try to open your start page, you’re automatically redirected to the Homepage web page? Then this might be a sign that your PC system has been hijacked by obnoxious potentially unwanted program from the browser hijacker family. It is a type of malware that is developed to modify settings of all your typical browsers. To remove the browser hijacker you need to clean your web-browser from any extensions you have recently installed on your system and perform a scan using a trustworthy antimalware or antivirus program.
In addition to that, as was mentioned earlier, some browser hijackers like Homepage web to also modify all web-browsers shortcuts which located on your Desktop or Start menu. So, every infected shortcut will try to redirect your web browser to annoying pages, some of which might be harmful. It can make the whole computer more vulnerable to hacker attacks.
As mentioned above, the Homepage web hijacker virus also changes the browser’s search provider. So, your web-browser, when searching something, will show a hodgepodge of ads, links to unwanted and ad pages and search results from the big search providers like Google or Bing. As a result, actual use of a browser’s search becomes uncomfortable. Moreover, it may also lead to slowing or even freeze your internet browser.
Often, the PC system that has been infected by Homepage web virus, will be also infected with ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware) which displays a lot of various advertisements. It can be pop-ups, text links in the sites, banners where they never had. What is more, the adware can replace the legitimate ads with malicious advertisements which will offer to download and install malicious software and unwanted software or visit the various dangerous and misleading web pages.
It’s important, do not use Homepage web web-site and do not click on ads placed on it, as they can lead you to a more harmful or misleading pages. The best option is to use the guide posted below to clean your personal computer of browser hijacker, get rid of the Homepage web start page, and thereby return your favorite start page and search provider.
Remove Homepage web virus
The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to free your system of browser hijacker infection. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you’re familiar with the system then use manual removal, otherwise use the free anti malware utility created specifically to get rid of browser hijacker like Homepage web virus. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark or print it, because you may need to exit your browser or reboot your PC.
Manual Homepage web virus removal
Most common browser hijackers may be removed without any antivirus programs. The manual browser hijacker removal is post few simple steps that will teach you how to remove the Homepage web .
Delete suspicious and potentially unwanted programs using MS Windows Control Panel
Some PUPs, browser hijacking software and adware may be removed by uninstalling the free software they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed applications in Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to delete them.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
- It will show the Windows Control Panel.
- Further, press “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- It will display a list of all applications installed on the PC system.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort applications by date.
See more details in the video guide below.
Clean up the web-browsers shortcuts which have been hijacked by Homepage web
Once the browser hijacker is started, it can also alter the browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument like “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you launch the internet browser, it will display an unwanted page.
Right click on the browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.
To save changes, click OK . You need to clean all web-browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, IE and Edge.
Remove Homepage web virus from Chrome
Like other modern browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby restore the new tab page, homepage and search engine by default that have been changed by the Homepage web browser hijacker virus.
- First launch the Google Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will show the Chrome main menu. Select “Settings” option.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Show advanced settings” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Google Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next press the “Reset” button.
- Once this procedure is finished, your web browser’s start page, new tab and default search provider will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove Homepage web start page from Firefox
If your Firefox web-browser home page has replaced to Homepage web without your permission or a an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web browser reset.
First, launch the Firefox and click button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web-browser. Further, press the Help button () as shown on the screen below
.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation dialog box. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the Homepage web hijacker virus. When, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Delete Homepage web from Microsoft Internet Explorer
The Internet Explorer reset is great if your web browser is hijacked or you have unwanted addo-ons or toolbars on your internet browser, which installed by an malicious software.
First, run the Internet Explorer. Next, click the button in the form of gear (). It will show the Tools drop-down menu, press the “Internet Options” as shown below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The IE will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window like below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect.
How to remove Homepage web virus with freeware
Use malicious software removal tools to remove Homepage web automatically. The free applications utilities specially created for browser hijacker, ad-supported software and other potentially unwanted programs removal. These tools can get rid of most of hijacker infection from Chrome, Firefox, IE and MS Edge. Moreover, it can remove all components of Homepage web from Windows registry and system drives.
Automatically delete Homepage web with Zemana Anti-malware
We suggest you to use the Zemana Anti-malware which are completely clean your PC. Moreover, the tool will help you to remove potentially unwanted software, malicious software, toolbars and adware that your computer can be infected too.
Download Zemana antimalware by clicking on the link below.
164107 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Once the downloading process is done, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup as shown below.
When the install starts, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Zemana anti-malware on your computer.
Once setup is finished, you will see window like below.
Now click the “Scan” button for checking your computer for the hijacker . This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient.
Once the scan is done, you can check all threats detected on your personal computer. When you’re ready, press “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-malware will begin removing Homepage web hijacker virus related files, folders and registry keys.
Use Malwarebytes to get rid of Homepage web virus
We suggest using the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your PC system of the browser hijacker. The free tool is an advanced malware removal program created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you get rid of browser hijackers, potentially unwanted applications, malicious software, ad supported software, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your system for free.
Download Malwarebytes on your PC by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
326460 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once downloading is done, close all software and windows on your machine. Double-click the set up file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown in the figure below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once install is finished successfully, click Finish button. Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.
Now click the “Scan Now” button . This will begin scanning the whole system to find out hijacker and other malware and ad-supported software. While the tool is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware.
As the scanning ends, it will display you the results. Make sure all entries have ‘checkmark’ and click “Quarantine Selected” button. The Malwarebytes will start removing Homepage web hijacker virus and other security threats. Once disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to restart the personal computer.
We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the Malwarebytes to remove browser hijacker infection and other malicious software.
If the problem with Homepage web is still remained
AdwCleaner is a free removal tool that can be downloaded and use to delete hijacker infections, adware, malware, PUPs, toolbars and other threats from your PC. You can run this tool to detect threats even if you have an antivirus or any other security program.
Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below.
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
Once the download is complete, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the AdwCleaner desktop icon. When the tool is started, you will see a screen as shown in the figure below.
Further, click “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the Homepage web browser hijacker virus. This process can take some time, so please be patient. When it has finished scanning, a list of all threats detected is produced as shown below.
When you’re ready, press “Clean” button. It will open a dialog box as shown on the screen below.
You need to press “OK”. Once the clean-up is done, the AdwCleaner may ask you to restart your PC system. When your computer is started, you will see an AdwCleaner log.
These steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.
Block Homepage web and other annoying sites
It’s important to run ad-blocking programs such as AdGuard to protect your personal computer from malicious web sites. Most security experts says that it is okay to stop ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to block Homepage web and other unwanted pages.
- Download AdGuard application from the following link.
Adguard download
26656 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the setup is complete, click “Skip” to close the install application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your system, AdGuard will start automatically and block ads, web-sites such as Homepage web, as well as other dangerous or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that can be found on your desktop.
How to avoid installation of Homepage web browser hijacker
The hijacker is usually gets onto PC by being attached to free software and install themselves, with or without your knowledge, on your personal computer. This happens especially when you’re installing a freeware. The program setup package tricks you into accepting the install of third party applications, which you don’t really want. Moreover, some paid applications may also install third-party applications that you don’t want! Therefore, always download free software and paid software from reputable download web sites. Use ONLY custom or manual installation mode and never blindly click Next button.
Finish words
After completing the steps outlined above, your computer should be clean from the Homepage web virus, adware and malware. The Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge will no longer display an intrusive home page on startup. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new browser hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.