Browser Hijackers – What they are and How to get rid of them
Bowser hijacking has become an incredibly annoying concept on the internet, and most of the time, it occurs on devices that do not use a VPN or proxy. Here is what they are and how to get rid of them.
Traffic on many online platforms has seen a steady increase over the last couple of decades, and many developers are making loads of money from the same. As a consequence, cybercriminals are trying as best as they can to take advantage of this traffic, and they are developing means and ways of redirecting users to unauthorized and illegal sites for various reasons without their consent. This concept is referred to as browser hijacking, and it is becoming a big problem. So, what does a browser hijacker look like?
How to identify a browser hijacker
Since browser hijackers have become fairly common, it is very likely that you have encountered one. Below is a breakdown of how a browser hijacker often presents.
Your searches are redirected to other sites
When you enter a web address in your browser’s search bar, you may get redirected to a completely unrelated site. Oftentimes, the site has loads of adverts and other types of information that may not be associated with your searches at all. For instance, you could be trying to download a movie on The Pirate Bay, and when you try to search a movie title, you get redirected to a site full of ads.
Random pop-ups
When browsing your favorite or most frequented sites, you may notice a sudden surge in popups that often present as advertisements. These popups can come up at any point unsolicited, and they could be triggered by a sequence of steps or just a single click. You may also notice multiple hyperlinks in various places that you otherwise would not expect.
Altered Settings
Most, if not all, browser hijackers are designed to alter your browser settings. You may find that you suddenly have a new homepage, or that your default browser has been changed to another one. In many instances, the browser hijacker infests even your toolbar so that you notice many unfamiliar bookmarks every now and then.
Low hard drive space
One of the things that many browser hijackers do is fill up your space with loads of unnecessary information. In case you notice that you are constantly running low on hard drive space without downloading heavy or lots of content, you may have a browser hijacker to blame. Your browser become incredibly slow whenever you are using the internet.
How to Get Rid of Browser Hijackers
Step 1
On your computer, click on the Windows button or logo on the lower-left corner of your screen, or use the Windows key on the left side of your keyboard.
Step 2
On the search bar, type in Control Panel and press enter to open it. Navigate and find a field labeled Programs.
Step 3
Under the Programs tab, click on a field named Uninstall a Program. Your device will display all programs on it. Proceed to uninstall those that are there without your authorization, and any other that looks suspicious.
If this does not work, your cookies and cache could be the problem, and you may have to download and use a cleaning tool to get rid of these for better browsing.
How to avoid browser hijackers moving forward
Getting rid of bowser hijackers does not necessarily guarantee that you will not experience them in the future. You may have to take certain steps to make sure that you do not encounter them again.
One of the best and most effective ways of ensuring you do not come across browser hijackers is the use of an effective antivirus. Try and use one that can detect and even delete browser hijackers before they have the opportunity to affect your browsing. You can also avoid sites that are not secure, and also clean up your cookies and cache constantly.
Conclusion
The internet is an incredibly unpredictable place, and while browsing, it is possible to encounter all sorts of problems that include browser hijackers. They are, thankfully, easy to identify and to get rid of. To make sure you do not encounter them at all, you can take advantage of antivirus, and try avoiding strange sites on the internet.
