Amigo adware might hijack your browser and initiate a redirect to suspicious sites

Amigo is developed by Mail.Ru Group and presented as a powerful web browser with built-in social networks. However, it has more negative features than positive ones, and for this reason, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program.[1]
This ad-supported application mainly targets Russian-speaking users.[2] It is usually distributed using “bundling,” which allows third-party apps to spread bundled with various freeware as “optional components.” Thus, it might enter the system without asking direct permission.
Immediately after successful infiltration, Amigo browser may replace Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or any other web browser that is set by default. In addition to that, it may initiate continuous redirects to go.mail.ru domain, which is an untrustworthy search site. Be careful and avoid making searches with it as it may deliver altered search results filled with sponsored links and advertisements.
However, not only go.mail.ru search can initiate undesired redirects but also predetermined ads that may show up while you are using this browser. The most important thing that you have to keep in mind is related to the reliability of the websites that Amigo ads can try to promote. It has been found that it can try to support both reliable and untrustworthy sites, which may even be involved in suspicious activities.
If you click on ads or third-party links, Amigo virus might redirect you to websites that were created for spreading malware[3] or various scams.[4] Thus, cybercriminals might have prepared various tricks to get your sensitive information or convince to download bogus software.
Not to mention, this browser is also blamed for spying on its users and collecting personally non-identifiable information related to their browsing habits. Keeping in mind that this program is closely related to third parties and may leak data to them, we highly recommend removing Amigo and set one of the trusted browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer by default.
At the end of the article, we have provided instructions that will help to get rid of the adware manually. However, we suggest saving your time and scanning the computer with FortectIntego. This anti-malware[5] will complete automatic Amigo removal for you.

The hijack might occur during incorrect installation of freeware or shareware
The browser is promoted via the official website and can be downloaded right there. However, it is seldom installed manually as the site can hardly be found accidentally, whereas the program does not seem that trustworthy to be used instead of the most reliable browsers.
In most cases, it is distributed via other freeware and shareware, such as download managers, PDF creators, media players, games, etc. that are promoted on such popular websites as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, cnet.com, and so on.
Such a marketing method is known as “bundling” and is deceptive enough to make people install unwanted apps without being noticed. To prevent this from happening, whenever you decide to install a freeware, keep in mind these tips:
- opt for Advanced/Custom installation (instead of Quick/Basic),
- read all terms carefully,
- unmark ticks that are set alongside statements that you agree to install Amigo or another suspicious application.
Uninstall Amigo virus from the computer
To reset a default web browser, first of all, you will have to remove Amigo and other related programs, such as Search Protect, WebSparkle, MyAllSearch, and so on. In order to do that, you can follow the manual removal guidelines below.
If you decide to uninstall the adware manually, you should be careful. Various programs, files, and extensions might have been installed in numerous places on the system. It’s crucial to find and delete all these entries in order to stop redirects, ads and get back control over your browser.
However, we want to remind you that automatic Amigo removal can protect you from failure. Install reputable anti-malware, update it and scan the system. Within several minutes this PUP will be terminated from your PC.
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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