Mylucky123.com virus: what it is and how to remove it

Mylucky123 has also been added to a "potentially unwanted program" category as it is capable of taking over user's homepage and then causing redirects to sponsored websites. In the beginning of its distribution, this hijacker attacked Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

Automatic

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Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.

Not sure what changed your search to mylucky123.com? An automatic scan checks extensions, programs and browser settings in one pass.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.

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Mylucky123.com virus: mylucky123 com browser hijacker virus
Mylucky123.com virus as our 2016 report showed it.

Mylucky123.com virus: summary

Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameMylucky123.com virus
TypeFake search engine
SymptomsA changed search engine
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 5 more facts
EvidenceOne write-up by a security site; details still limited
Search pagemylucky123.com
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen15 November 2016
Facts checked7 October 2026

Is Mylucky123.com virus dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since

How can I avoid the virus?

To avoid MyLucky123, you need to be very careful during the installation process of free software.

We highly recommend monitoring installation procedure of download managers, PDF creators and similar freeware. Unlike Trojans, worms, and other computer viruses, browser hijackers have been balancing on the verge of being legitimate, so that can be added to freeware packages and be introduced as optional downloads.

Nevertheless, having in mind that there are still security-cautious users who would find this unfamiliar search engine suspicious and opt out its installation, the program creators have modified it to install as stealthy as possible.

They hide the optional "Set Mylucky123.com as my homepage" checkbox in the "Advanced" installation settings. Then, they can only wait for the less careful users to carry out the "Basic" or "Quick" installation leaving this additional option undisclosed.

How Mylucky123.com virus got into your browser

From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since

Mylucky123 has also been added to a "potentially unwanted program" category as it is capable of taking over user's homepage and then causing redirects to sponsored websites.

In the beginning of its distribution, this hijacker attacked Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers. However, now it is capable of altering any web browser by changing its default search engine, the homepage and similar settings. Typically, it adds http://mylucky123.com/ domain name and starts pushing its victim into using it instead of Google or similar search engine.

In the meanwhile, virus tracks the user to know its preferences and interests. As a result, MyLucky123 starts filling its search results with the sponsored ones and redirects its victim to needed places, including Yahoo Search. Beware that colors used in My Lucky Search name have nothing to do with Google. This trick has been used just to trick users into using it instead of their search engine.

Fortunately, as we have already mentioned, this infection falls for potentially unwanted programs category, so you have several options when seeking to remove it from the system. However, we highly recommend you to initiate MyLucky123 removal without wasting the time as you can be redirected to a malicious website used to spread malware.

At the initial stages of the hijack, you may not even suspect there is something wrong with the site other than its unexpected emergence on your Internet browser. The website copies the style of a well-known search engine Google and offers exactly the same features as any other search provider would. However, since the experts insist on Mylucky123.com removal, there must be something wrong with the program.

It all becomes clear as soon as you star using this website according to its purpose. As soon as you enter the search query, you see that its results are based on the Google Custom search. However, these results can be modified, adjusted and prioritized according to the needs of site's creators.

After using this hijacker for a while, it becomes evident that the main aim of Mylucky123 virus is affiliate advertising. In fact, the program creators seem to be more interested in gaining profit from the affiliate advertising than actually providing the users with the expected service. So, your search for relevant information on this site may take painstakingly long time or fail entirely.

Secondly, the sponsored links and advertisement may start appearing on random websites you visit as well. Unfortunately, this is how the advertising-based programs like Mylucky123.com make money. Be careful because these ads can send you to random web pages that are set to promote useless software or Tech Support Scam viruses.

The worst part is that this useless search engine will cling to your browser with the help of batch files (C:\ProgramData\Google Chrome.lnk.bat and C:\ProgramData\Mozilla Firefox.lnk.bat) which it drops in the %AppData% directory. These files help the virus redirect your browsers to this site over and over again, whenever you initiate your browser.

Even after you delete the extension and reset your browser's settings, this suspicious search engine may continue to be reassigned to the positions every time you try to return to your regular Google, Bing or Yahoo. Nevertheless, it is possible to remove Mylucky123.com malware from the infected device. You only need reputable antivirus utilities to do that.

Mylucky123.com virus: mylucky123 com browser hijacker virus
Mylucky123.com virus in our 2016 report.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: mylucky123.com

How to remove Mylucky123.com virus

How to stop Mylucky123.com virus from opening

The search page is only the end point.

These steps remove what sends the browser there, then put the search engine back.

  1. Step 1: Put the search engine back and delete mylucky123.com

    Searches that pass through mylucky123.com mean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on mylucky123.com.

    Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.

    Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  2. Step 2: Remove extensions you did not add

    Mylucky123.com virus often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:

    • chrome://extensions
    • edge://extensions
    • Extensions and themes in Firefox

    Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.

    Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  3. Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install

    Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.

    Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Mylucky123.com virus. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  4. Step 4: Reset the browser

    Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.

    Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

C:\ProgramData\Google Chrome.lnk.bat and C:\ProgramData\Mozilla Firefox.lnk.bat are the main batch files which are responsible for resetting this domain as your default search engine. If you want to get rod of this browser hijacker, make sure you remove these files from your computer. In addition, you should uninstall each of entries that are related to browser hijacker. Make sure you look for My Lucky Search, MyLucky123, MyLucky and similar entries in your task manager.

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows
Remove from Google Chrome

You need to get rid of all suspicious add-ons that could be related to the virus. We highly recommend uninstalling My Lucky Search, MyLucky123, MyLucky and other add-ons.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2
Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.

One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.

However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.

Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:

  • power cuts
  • Blue Screen of Death errors
  • hardware failures
  • crypto-malware attack
  • even accidental deletion

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since

What are your options for the Mylucky123 removal?

There are a couple of Mylucky123 removal strategies that you can apply.

First, and the most reliable one is the automatic virus elimination. Remember though that it takes a professional antivirus utility to eliminate the virus from the computer successfully. We suggest taking a look at some of the utilities presented below.

As an alternative way to remove Mylucky123.com from your computer, you can check out the manual elimination guide provided below the article. This illustrated guide should help you fix your computer without experiencing unanticipated errors.

C:\ProgramData\Google Chrome.lnk.bat and C:\ProgramData\Mozilla Firefox.lnk.bat are the main batch files which are responsible for resetting this domain as your default search engine. If you want to get rod of this browser hijacker, make sure you remove these files from your computer.

In addition, you should uninstall each of entries that are related to browser hijacker. Make sure you look for My Lucky Search, MyLucky123, MyLucky and similar entries in your task manager.

My Lucky Search, MyLucky123, MyLucky and other add-ons.

Questions about Mylucky123.com virus

Why does my search engine keep changing to mylucky123.com?

Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.

Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time mylucky123.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.

Did mylucky123.com come with a program I installed?

Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as mylucky123.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.

Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.

Why do my searches go to mylucky123.com?

Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Mylucky123.com virus did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to mylucky123.com.

The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.

Is it safe to keep searching with mylucky123.com?

We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.

The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Mylucky123.com virus and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.

Which browsers does Mylucky123.com virus affect?

We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.

Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.

What does mylucky123.com know about me?

It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.

After removing Mylucky123.com virus, delete the cookies and site data for mylucky123.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.

Should I just switch to another browser?

It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.

Remove Mylucky123.com virus properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.

Would an ad blocker stop Mylucky123.com virus?

Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on mylucky123.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.

Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Mylucky123.com virus with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.

The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?

Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:

  • extra sponsored links at the top
  • the hijacker's own tracking
  • sometimes a design that copies a known search engine

You can tell by the address bar. If it shows mylucky123.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Mylucky123.com virus and search directly.

Will Fortect remove Mylucky123.com virus?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Mylucky123.com virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

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