What is known about Ntpo.com virus?
Ntpo.com virus is known for hijacking web browsers and setting ntpo.com/i/start.html their default homepage and search engine. Due to this feature, this cyber infection is classified as the browser hijacker[1]. It not only alters browser’s settings but also modifies various Windows shortcuts and might install “helper objects”[2] to prevent users from setting previous browser’s settings. This potentially unwanted application is designed in a way that it detects all customizations made by the users and initiates another hijack. Hence, simply cleaning browser’s settings and resetting preferred homepage are not enough for Ntpo.com removal. Browser hijacker takes over web browsers because its purpose is to deliver various online ads and track users’ behavior while surfing the Net. Developers generate profits from your clicks on advertisements, sponsored links included in the search results or after unexpected redirects to the promotional website. While they see their incomes growing, users and their computers are put in danger because of Ntpo.com redirect issues. Some of the links, pop-ups, banners or in-text ads may let you enter a high-risk or phishing website[3]. Probably, you can imagine that these visits might end up with malware infection, data or money loss. Hence, by letting hijacker stay on the computer, you can easily get in trouble.
The first impression of this search engine might be misleading. It looks like an ordinary search tool that provides Google Custom search results. However, the main page does not include any official documents revealing the developers, terms and agreements, user’s privacy-related aspects, and so on. However, when we first looked at this suspicious search tool, we got a feeling that we have already seen it before. Indeed, we found out that it’s identical to another bogus search engine Ageofcom.com. Not only the appearance of these two browser hijackers are identical, but also they share similar features. Ntpo.com virus might deliver altered search results and replace some of the links with sponsored ones, so looking for information might become an annoying and disappointing activity. If the search engine does not complete its primary function properly, why keep it? Especially, if it hijacked your browser. Remove Ntpo.com from the computer and get back to your regular browsing habits. Simplify and speed up this process with FortectIntego.

When did hijack occur?
Browser hijackers, as well as other PUPs, travel along with free programs that users download[4] from the Internet. Ntpo.com hijack might occur when you install a new software using Recommended/Basic settings that do not disclose about additional applications. Using this setup, you give browser hijackers, adware[5], questionable toolbars or browser add-ons permission to step inside the system. Keep in mind that the only possible way to avoid unwanted applications and install new programs safely is choosing Custom/Advanced setup and following each step attentively. Rushing through the installation wizard, you might not notice the list of optional downloads and agree to set some suspicious search engine as your default one. Hence, Ntpo.com browser hijacker probably got inside your PC with the recently installed program. So, it’s time to get rid of the hijacker and look for other PUPs that might be hiding in the system as well.
Remove Ntpo.com within several minutes!
If you are not willing to spend your whole evening with Ntpo.com removal, opt for an automatic method to remove browser hijacker. Below you will find the list of our suggested malware removal tools that are necessary for this task. Install and update them; then, run a full system scan. Bear in mind that these programs are only our suggestion, you can choose your preferred software as well. However, don’t forget that free or cheap tools might be not effective and unable to remove Ntpo.com from the computer completely. Additionally, you can spend a little bit more time and get rid of the virus manually. Our team has prepared illustrated instructions where to look for and how to remove browser hijacker.
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.

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