If your browser redirects search keywords to Google via Houghink.com, it means you're dealing with the hijacker
Houghink.com is a suspicious domain that might show up on your browser after infiltration of the browser hijacker. This potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] spreads as Search App or Houghlink browser extension and is presented as the “Best Search Extension ever.” However, this brave statement has nothing in common with the reality.
The main principle of the Houghink.com virus is to redirect user’s search keywords to Google search engine. Even though Google is a legit system, the interference of third-party apps is shady. It seems that developers of this browser extension might profit from Google affiliate program. However, they might also trick you into visiting suspicious websites.
The problem with the Houghink virus is that it might redirect you to unknown website directly from the Google results page. When you click on the link, you expect to land on a website that provides the information you need. However, this browser hijacker might reroute you to a different site that might be created for shady purposes, such as spreading scams or malware.[2]
Houghink Search redirect problems are the main reason why you should get rid of this potentially unwanted application immediately as you notice the first signs of its appearance. This application might also:
- set your homepage or/and default search engine to http://houghink.com/?q={search_term};
- alter new tab page;
- replace built-in search box;
- display suspicious ads;
- trigger sudden redirects to commercial websites;
- install unknown browser extensions;
- prevent users from Houghink.com removal.
After the Houghink.com hijack, this PUP might also alter Windows registry and modify shortcuts to prevent users from removing suspicious extension which is responsible for causing annoying activities on the browser. In order to stop these redirects, you may need to obtain a security software.
Nevertheless, browser hijackers are not dangerous cyber threats, their removal might be challenging. Our team suggests opting for the automatic elimination option and remove Houghink.com using anti-malware tool, for instance FortectIntego. However, if you wish to clean your browser manually, you can do it as well (instructions are presented at the end of the article).
Developers of the PUP take advantage of software bundling strategy
Houghink.com is associated with two browser extensions:
- houghink which is available on Chrome Web Store;
- Search App which is available on the official website.
Apparently, users can download these both Google Chrome extensions directly, but it rarely happens. They are also spread in software packages as “optional downloads.” Thus, you might see an offer to install it during the installation of freeware or shareware. But for that, you need to use Advanced/Custom installation settings.
However, if you rely on Quick/Recommended setup, you might not be informed about additional apps and they might be installed without asking your permission. Security experts from Les Virus[3] remind that you should never choose these settings and always carefully follow Advanced installation setup to avoid accidental installation of PUPs.
Uninstall Houghink.com redirect virus from Chrome web browser
In order to stop redirects and remove Houghink.com hijacker from the system entirely, you have to uninstall all suspicious programs and delete virus-related files from the system. The instructions below will show you where to find and how to eliminate these entries correctly. However, if redirects continues, you should wipe out hijacker's leftovers using anti-malware software.
The automatic Houghink.com removal requires running a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware/anti-spyware. Once you scan the system and eliminate suspicious entries, you should reset Google Chrome and then set your preferred startup page and search engine.
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