Aartemis: what it is and how to remove it
Aartemis is a browser hijacker that might take over your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer web browsers as soon as a potentially unwanted program gets installed on your computer. In most cases, such applications travel within software bundles or are delivered via scam ads or fake updates.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
A quick scan confirms nothing else was installed alongside the aartemis.com search hijacker.
Do it yourself · free Remove Aartemis yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Aartemis: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs or malware, personal information disclosure or money loss due to encountered scams |
|---|---|
| Name | Aartemis |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| First spotted | 2013 |
| Infiltration | PUPs are usually distributed with the help of software bundle packages downloaded from third-party sites or are installed by users who are tricked into doing so by fake updates, attractive ads, and similar scams |
| Symptoms | The new tab and homepage set to Aartemis.com A customized search engine applied to homepage, typically leading to Google or Yahoo Sponsored links and ads inserted into search results Ads appear on sites that you visit |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 7 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | aartemis.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 15 October 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Aartemis changes in your browser
Your Connection to this site is not secure
Is Aartemis dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Aartemis
- To get rid of browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs, you should follow the guide provided in our removal section
- In case adware or malware infection is causing your system to crash, lag, or other issues, you can attempt to repair the operating system with the help of
- Your Connection to this site is not secure You should not enter any sensitive information on this site (for example, passwords or credit cards), because it could be stolen by attackers.
How Aartemis got into your browser
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Aartemis is a browser hijacker that gets delivered to your machine via software bundling or other deceptive methods
Aartemis is a browser hijacker that might take over your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer web browsers as soon as a potentially unwanted program gets installed on your computer. In most cases, such applications travel within software bundles or are delivered via scam ads or fake updates. Nevertheless, some may install an app without realizing that it has browser hijacking capabilities in the first place.
Soon upon infiltration, Aartemis virus sets the new tab URL and homepage to Aartemis.com and applies a customized search engine to the web browser, which directs all searchers to a popular search tool like Google or Yahoo.
Nonetheless, the results are littered with sponsored links, which mainly bring users to affiliated websites. Additionally, just like other PUPs, Aartemis may also collect various information about your web browsing data, as well as technical details of the device.
At first sight, Aartemis.com does not look like anything out of the ordinary: it's a blank front page with a search bar. However, it does not take long to notice that no additional information is provided and that the Privacy Policy, ToS, and other relevant information is simply missing.
However, it is worth noting that Aartemis virus was also changed over the years of its operation - the domain name was first taken in 2003, although it was not used properly until 2013 when the page was populated with dozens of sponsored links to various legitimate, as well as less trustworthy websites (examples include Twitter, Booking.com, Wikipedia, 337 Games, etc.).
Allegedly, these sponsored links should serve as useful shortcuts to various sites. However, modern web browsers can be customized in such was with very little effort, so this functionality falls flat - maybe because of that, the links to other websites were removed later on. Nevertheless, the plain homepage was still designed for the same purpose - to hijack users' browsers and show them sponsored content.
It is true that browsers hijackers like Aartemis.com are essentially not serious infections, although you can never know what the potentially unwanted program which changed your web browser settings is capable of. The truth is, there are thousands of applications hosted on third-party sites that might engage in dubious or even malicious activity in order to collect ad revenue from thousands of users.
Therefore, even though the Aartemis virus is not a correct term per se, it can make sense when talking about the overall security of the device. For example, the presence of multiple browser extensions might reduce the safety of your browser, especially if you are not sure where they are coming from.
Another reason to remove Aartemis from your computer is information tracking practices. Most of the potentially unwanted programs collect the following data with the help of tracking technologies like Flash cookies, JavaScript, web beacons, etc.:
However, it is also worth mentioning that some PUPs may also collect search queries that sometimes include personally identifiable information. Such data can later on be sold to third-parties for marketing purposes.
Besides, Aartemis removal would stop you from having to browse via an insecure web page, as multiple web browsers warn that a secure connection is not used by this provider:
All in all, while Aartemis virus is not something that would compromise your computer severely, there is no need to keep a browser hijacker installed. Instead, rely on reputable search providers like Google, Yahoo, or Bing - these companies will keep your information safe.
As for Artemis.com uninstallation, you can do it either manually or automatically. Additionally, you should reset your web browsers and scan your machine with for best results.
- IP address
- ISP
- Links clicked
- Sites visited
- Ads clicked
- Installed apps
- Device information, etc.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Potentially unwanted programs are distributed via software bundles
While malware distribution methods are more or less clear for most users (such as not downloading suspicious files, not clicking on malicious links and not opening spam email attachments), most are still amazed when they find out that adware or a browser hijacker has infiltrated their computers.
This is because people are still not aware of a deceptive software distribution technique called software bundling, which is practiced relatively often by third-party sites that offer freeware or shareware. Typically several tricks are used in order to deceive users and make them install software they initially did not ask for:
Therefore, while it would be best practice sticking to official sources, sometimes the application you want is simply not available from them. In such a case, watch out for the tricks mentioned above and pay close attention to the installation instructions of the app to avoid optional programs.
- Fine print text, which is often missed by users, includes important information about the installation;
- Buttons are misplaced, e.g., "Skip offer" is presented on the left, instead of the right (users are known to simply click "Next" several times, typically located on the right side of the window);
- Advanced or Custom settings are hiding optional components which are not visible if Recommended/Quick installation option is selected;
- Pre-ticked boxes that users do not untcik guarantee agreement of Terms of Service.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
aartemis.com
How to remove Aartemis
How to remove Aartemis and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Aartemis often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete aartemis.com
Searches that pass through
aartemis.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on aartemis.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Aartemis. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To get rid of Aartemis and other potentially unwanted programs from your Windows PC, follow this guide:
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.
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.
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.
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)
Reset Mozilla Firefox as soon as you get rid of the browser hijacker, or the culprit is an extension:
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
macOS users' browsers could also be hijacked. If that is the case, uninstall PUPs by proceeding with these steps:
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.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Aartemis.com browser hijacker from your computer
The presence of the Aartemis.com virus on your system can be related to many different types of applications, such as browser extensions/add-ons or standalone programs that were installed via a software bundle (or even intentionally). The problem is, it is not always apparent which application changed your web browser settings, so it might be difficult to determine what is the source of Aartemis hijack.
You can try to remove Aartemis from your computer by checking our manual guide below - look through all the apps and get rid of those that you don't recognize.
For that, install security software that has the "Detect potentially unwanted programs" feature, and perform a full system scan. Note, however, that not all PUPs can be detected by a single anti-malware, so you might have to install a few programs until you are successful.
Nevertheless, if the culprit of the web browser settings change is a browser extension, you can get rid of easily via the settings. If that is not possible, you should reset the browser, as explained below.
Questions about Aartemis
Why does my search engine keep changing to aartemis.com?
Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.
Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time aartemis.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.
Is aartemis.com a virus?
It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. aartemis.com is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.
It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.
Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.
Why do my searches go to aartemis.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Aartemis did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to aartemis.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with aartemis.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Aartemis and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Aartemis affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does aartemis.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Aartemis, delete the cookies and site data for aartemis.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Will resetting the browser remove Aartemis?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Aartemis can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?
Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:
- extra sponsored links at the top
- the hijacker's own tracking
- sometimes a design that copies a known search engine
You can tell by the address bar. If it shows aartemis.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Aartemis and search directly.
Should I just switch to another browser?
It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.
Remove Aartemis properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.
Will Fortect remove Aartemis?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Aartemis, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Cloudwards: What is Browser Hijacking? Sneakier Than You Think (read October 6, 2026)
- Heimdal Security: Analysis: How Malware Creators Use Spam To Maximize Their Impact (read October 6, 2026)
- How-To Geek: Yes, Every Freeware Download Site is Serving Crapware (Here's the Proof) (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
