Luckypageing123 on your browser? Why you should not consider yourself lucky
Luckypageing123.com virus is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) [1] which possesses all the characteristics of a browser hijacker infection. It infiltrates computers by stealth and then continues the hijack by altering browser settings, replacing the default search engine and homepage with Luckypageing123. Though it looks like any regular search provider with its minimalistic design and options to browse the web, pictures, videos or news, this site is far from being trustworthy. And not only because it often turns up on the computer without warning. Of course, stealthy installation is a major red flag, but there are more nasty characteristics that lie underneath the program’s inconspicuous facade. We will discuss them in the following paragraph, while the users who are looking for Luckypageing123.com removal instructions will find them at the end of the article. Nevertheless, for the less experienced users, we would rather suggest taking an easier path end eliminating the virus automatically, using reputable software like FortectIntego anti-malware. 
One of the initial things we have managed to find out about Luckypageing123.com malware is that its domain has been on the web for just a month [2], but there are quite a lot of people who are complaining about it already. In fact, most of the infected users see parallels between this PUP and other browser hijacker websites such as LuckySearch123.com, Luckysearches.com or LuckyStarting.com. Indeed, there is a lot in common between the lot. In fact, the design of all of these websites seems to be based on the same template, with a slight change in the website’s title logo. The similarities go even further. From the very beginning of Luckypageing123.com hijack, the program starts collecting data [3] about user’s browsing habits and, in the Privacy Policy, even admit to collecting personally-identifiable [4] information such as the user’s name, gender, date of birth and country of residency. What is more, using these services, the users also agree to various conditions they may not be explicitly informed about. For instance, they may be spammed with newsletters or advertising emails that are based on the user’s browsing history. Besides, sponsored links and search results are probably going to be embedded within the results of this search engine. We should remind you that the sooner you remove Luckypageing123.com from your device, the fewer inconveniences you are going to encounter in the long run. Comprehensive guidelines to the virus extermination are presented below.
How can I get infected with a browser hijacker?
Infecting the computer with such a lightweight virus as Luckypageing123.com browser hijacker is easier than most users may think. Most of the time, this infection is carried around in software packages [5], as an additional install about which the users may not even suspect. This usually happens when the users choose the wrong settings for the software installation. “Quick” or “Recommended” installation modes will sure let you use the downloaded programs much quicker, but you should keep in mind that they do not disclose other components that come within the same software package. These are the perfect conditions for the potentially unwanted programs to make their way into the computers undetected. Thus, if you want to make sure that you always install only the software you trust and not some shady programs like Luckypageing123.com, always opt for the advanced installation settings.
Luckypageing123.com removal:
Luckypageing123.com virus should not be treated any less seriously as any other malware infection just because it does not possess any particularly destructive features. Remember that with time, even such lightweight programs can mess up the computer and make it barely manageable. Thus, if you are infected, be sure you remove Luckypageing123.com without delay. Even if you have difficulties with Luckypageing123.com removal, do not simply leave the program be. Scan your device with a reputable anti-malware tool or follow the instructions we provide below to eliminate it from your PC.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

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

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

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

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

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- 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.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

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

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

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

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

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment