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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2018

How to remove Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com is categorized as a browser hijacker

Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com image

Name Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com
Danger Level Medium
Type Browser hijacker
Distribution Spreads as Your Free Online Forms extension in software-bundles
Symptoms

 Hijacks regular browsers and assigns itself to homepage, new tab URL and default search engine

Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] which aims to take over regular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and others. For this reason, experts classify it as a browser hijacker which functions as a fraudulent search engine. Additionally, it is distributed as Your Free Online Forms extension which can be bundled with free software you download.

At first sight, Hyourfreeonlineformspop looks similar to legitimate search directories. Likewise, many people fall for its innocent appearance and continue using its services. Even though it provides quick access to legal forms like tax returns, taxpayer identification number, and others, it also collects various details about its users as well. Note that such actions can put your privacy at risk.

According to the Privacy Policy, Your Free Online Forms gather only non-personally identifiable information. Although, those who read it carefully can find the section where the developers, Polarity Technologies Ltd., mention that they can collect personally identifiable information through search activity, history, and frequently visited pages. Here is the fraction of the Privacy Policy:

In addition, as part of the functionality provided by our Service, we may collect and store URLS that you visit and your browser’s home page which could contain personally identifiable information. This information may be shared with third-party applications that use Search Data to function, or to offer you more customized information, advertising and services. Your Search Data is collected and stored and may include personally identifiable information, depending on your search query.

It is evident that after Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com hijack, this fake search engine will not only collect details about your browsing habits but also share it with unknown affiliates. Additionally, keep in mind that the gathered information is usually used to deliver intrusive third-party ads to help the contrivers increase their revenue by pay-per-click[2] marketing scheme. 

Unfortunately, Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com redirect tendency will bring you numerous banners, pop-ups and in-text ads which are less than reliable. Experts note that they advertise neither useful nor trustworthy products or websites. Therefore, if you click on them, you might be redirected to a shady page where hackers distribute other potentially unwanted programs or even malware.

Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com privacy policy

Even though Your Free Online Forms is not a dangerous cyber threat, by using its services you increase the risk of infecting your computer with viruses or getting tricked by scammers. Likewise, if you want to protect your system, you should stop using this shady search engine and uninstall it from your PC.

The quickest way to remove Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com is an automatic elimination. It requires you to get a professional security software and run a full system scan. Afterward, it will detect not only the browser hijacker but also other potentially unwanted programs and uninstall them automatically. For that, we highly suggest using FortectIntego.

Although, there is an alternative way to complete Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com removal. You can get rid of it manually by following the instructions provided at the end of this article. 

PUPs come in a bundle with freeware

Even though developers of potentially unwanted programs are distributing their products in a legal way, it is not fair from the standpoint of computer users. Browser hijackers and other PUPs are bundled with freeware without fully disclosing the information. Thus, if you hurry through the installation procedure, you indirectly allow installing PUP on your system.

Although, you can avoid potentially unwanted programs by choosing Advanced/Custom installation mode instead of Quick/Recommended. This way, you will be able to detect the browser hijacker which comes as a pre-selected checkmark that must be un-ticked to prevent the infiltration of PUP.

So-called Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com virus can be removed with the help of a security software

As we have already mentioned, Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com removal can be completed both ways, manually and automatically. Although, if you want to save your time and make sure that it will be successful, Losvirus.es[3] team says that you should pick an antivirus and run a full system scan right now.

The security software will remove Search.hyourfreeonlineformspop.com from your system with a few clicks. Later, you will need to reset your browsers to the primary state to make sure that the browser hijacker won't reappear after some time. For that, we suggest following the instructions below.

Uninstall from Windows

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

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

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

Remove from Google Chrome

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

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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