Hitcpm.com is a redirect virus caused by adware
Hitcpm.com is a suspicious domain that redirects users to unknown websites. Typically, these redirects are caused by ad-supported software (adware[1]). The primary goal of adware is to distribute various advertisements in forms of pop-ups, deals, banners, coupons, etc. The sponsored content is shown to users in order to gain monetary benefit for adware creators.
| SUMMARY | |
| Name | Hitcpm.com |
|---|---|
| Redirects to | www.hitcpm.com/watch?key= |
| Type | Adware |
| Main dangers | Can lead to serious malware infections or/and personal data leak |
| Browsers affected | Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, etc. |
| Symtoms | Continual advertisements bringing to adult gaming, phishing, tech support scam websites |
| Distribution | Bundling, suspicious websites |
| Elimination | To make sure all components of the virus are eliminated, download and install FortectIntego |
So-called Hitcpm.com virus spreads in software bundles and can enter the system unnoticed. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) can affect all major web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and many others.
Nevertheless, Hitcpm.com hijack is usually unnoticed; users can quickly recognize odd browser’s behavior and diminished browsing experience. The PUP might cause these problems on the affected machine:
- Browser redirects to www.hitcpm.com/watch?key= which reroute to numerous other promotional, phishing, adult, gaming, tech support scam or even infected websites;
- Delivery of pop-ups, ads, banners, in-text and other types of online ads on each website you visit;
- Installation of suspicious browser add-ons or extensions without your knowledge;
- Additional toolbar or browser extension[2] installation without permission;
- Tracking user’s activities on the web.
Adware programs are not dangerous itself. However, Hitcpm.com redirect problems might be serious. The PUP can force you to visit a website that is created to spread malicious programs.[3] Therefore, with the help of unwanted application, you might get your files encrypted or personal information stolen.
It goes without saying that you have to remove Hitcpm.com immediately. Unwanted activities on the browser should motivate you to hurry up with this task because aggressive pop-ups asking to install fake updates or security tools prevent you from normal browsing sessions.
Furthermore, Hitcpm virus might also track information on your recently visited websites, search queries, clicked ads, IP address, and similar information that will help to learn more about you. These details help advertisers to display targeted ads which you might be more willing to click; and your clicks help developers of adware get revenue.
However, you cannot be sure what other tracking technologies can be used to collect information about you too. Unfortunately, there’s a risk that Hitcpm.com adware or third-parties might be trying to steal personally identifiable details too.
To protect your privacy and security, you should speed up with Hitcpm.com removal. We suggest automatic elimination method which allows scanning the system with reputable anti-malware software. FortectIntego or a similar program can clean adware and all its damage within a couple of minutes.
Learn to correctly install free software and avoid adware infections
The ad-supported application typically spreads in freeware or shareware bundles as an optional component. According to researchers from NoVirus.uk, [4]developers of adware and other PUPs are aware of users’ bad habit to rely on Standard/Recommended installers which do not openly disclose about third-party applications attached to the primary program.
Therefore, additional components, such as adware, can get into the system unnoticed. We want to remind that all free programs can be software bundles. That’s why you need to install them carefully. You have to use Advanced/Custom settings and remove the ticks from all pre-selected optional programs (add-ons, toolbars, search engines, media players, file converters, etc.)
Hitcpm redirects can be stopped immediately
Some users might not be aware that they can get rid of annoying ads and redirects. However, what they also don't know is that keeping PUPs on the PC might cause not only system damage but also personal information theft. Therefore, please do not ignore this problem as the consequences can be severe.
If you want to remove Hitcpm.com adware manually, you can follow the guidelines given at the end of the article. However, you have to be attentive and make sure that all adware-related programs, files or browser extensions are eliminated.
If you are afraid of failure or want to save your time, you can opt for automatic Hitcpm.com removal. This method requires scanning the affected machine with anti-malware software and reset affected web browsers.
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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