Remove Browser Bleach (Removal Instructions)

Browser Bleach – a browser hijacker collaborating with suspicious third parties

Browser Bleach hijacked web browser

Browser Bleach is yet another potentially unwanted program (PUP)^[1] that exhibits the traits typical to browser hijacker. Apart from the ability to infiltrate random PCs without requiring permission, it is also capable of initiating severe modifications of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari web browser’s settings.

All alterations made to these browsers lead to search results being infected with various kinds of ads. Moreover, redirects to questionable or even dangerous sites could occur out of nowhere while you're browsing the net. We don't recommend using this app, and we'll clarify why.

Name	Browser Bleach
Type of malware	Browser hijacker
Danger level	Medium (can deliver potentially dangerous websites)
Symptoms	Corrupted web browser's settings (new tab URL, search site, start page), web browser's redirects, intrusive ads among search results, unusual web browser's performance
Distribution	Software packages (Bundling)
Browser types	Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari
Elimination	You can remove this and any other cyber threats by using reliable antivirus software
System health check	The best way to ensure that your device runs smoothly is by using the Fortect Intego system diagnostics tool

The installation of this extension triggers unusual web browser behavior. The new tab URL and primary search engine are replaced by browserbleach.com, while the default search engine is set to Browser Bleach by default. The developer of the tool claims that the service they offer is trustworthy and valuable. The supposedly Google related search site allows:

access [to] privacy-related features from your New Tab page.
Delete tracking cookies, browse incognito, and clear your cache and history, all without digging into complicated settings menus.

However, cybersecurity experts express a different viewpoint towards this app. Based on various test results, the Browser Bleach virus might expose the system to the risk of malware infection and privacy leakage. Promised services are just tricks used to deceive as many Internet users as possible into using this third-party service.

The fundamental goal of this dubious search site is to drive visitor traffic to affiliated websites and generate pay-per-click revenue by displaying intrusive ads. Dieviren.de^[2] cybersecurity experts warn that the following types of ads generated can expose you to potentially dangerous or even malicious content:

Prize giveaways asking to participate in online surveys;
Fake software updates;^[3]
Offers to check the system online for free;
Ads featuring catchy slogans;
Counterfeit warnings about Trojan, Spyware, Worm, and other infections.

Officially, Browser Bleach hijacker displays Google-based search results. However, that does not prove evidence that the results are genuine. Since this tool participates in affiliate programs, it may display links to third-party websites to generate income by redirecting people to sponsor websites.

This search can also gain profit with the help of tracking cookies. It is capable of collecting search data (browsing history, search queries, clicks, IP address, etc.). However, it may also gather personally identifiable information. The fragment from the Privacy Policy illustrates that:

Your Search Data is collected and stored and may include personally identifiable information, depending on your search query. For instance, if you search your own name, personally identifiable information would be included in the search query. By using the services, you are consenting to grant browser bleach permission to collect your URLs and search data, including search queries that may contain personally identifiable information, share them with third parties, and use search-related cookies.

Browser Bleach virus example

To protect yourself from identity theft, you should initiate Browser Bleach removal as quickly as possible. This tool seems worthless and could only cause trouble. There are two possible methods to remove this threat from the system. One of the easiest ways to eliminate it is to run a scan with a professional anti-malware tool, like SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes.

After that, reset the web browser’s settings to disable the Browser Bleach extension. And lastly, use the Fortect Intego system diagnostics tool to take care of the overall health of your device so it doesn't crash, freeze, or exhibit any other odd behavior.

Alternatively, you can remove Browser Bleach manually. In this case, you should navigate to Programs & Features or Apps section depending on the OS type that you use and delete all suspicious/unknown entries. Anyway, it would be best if you did not forget to reset the web browser to undo the non-permitted changes.

Browser hijackers are promoted via freeware

This particular extension is promoted by several means. It can be downloaded from the official website as a free web browser extension that is supposed to enhance the browsing experience. Alternatively, people can find its installer on the official Google Chrome Web Store.

Nevertheless, the ratio of direct downloads is low. Most frequently, people get tricked into installing this app as an extra component of freeware. It may be disguised under Quick or Recommended setup of freeware installation setup and pre-marked as the default component.

Consequently, by clicking the Next button, people inadvertently permit this extension and other potentially unwanted programs to get inside the system. Luckily, there’s a way to prevent this kind of scenario. All you have to do is to monitor the installation procedure and opt-out of additional components.

Learn how to get rid of Browser Bleach virus easily

Manual and automatic – there are the two methods that can be applied to Browser Bleach removal. Neither of them requires having in-depth knowledge of IT. However, by initiating the uninstall process manually, you take the risk of skipping malware-related components.

The quickest and most reliable way to remove the article's culprit from any device is to perform a deep scan with a professional security tool. Please select one of the programs listed below and launch it. Finally, follow the steps at the end of this article to eliminate the extension from Chrome, Firefox, and other 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.

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.

How to remove Browser Bleach

Browser Bleach – a browser hijacker collaborating with suspicious third parties

Browser hijackers are promoted via freeware