AtHoc toolbar - updated Jan 2021
AtHoc toolbar Removal Guide
What is AtHoc toolbar?
AtHoc Toolbar is the hijacking tool in the form of a browser plugin
AtHoc Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program, which can be installed either with or without your approval. If you have ever heard about browser hijackers, you will know what this program was created for. In most cases, such browser add-ons are capable of affecting each of web browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc., and then causing such unwanted activities as redirects, slowdowns, and similar issues.
According to its developer, this toolbar can be called a powerful tool that can be used for improving people's browsing experience but, as you can see, you should think twice before installing it on the system. Beware that AtHoc Toolbar may try to alter some of your browser settings.
| Name | AtHoc Toolbar |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Damage | Potentially unwanted programs can access, track, and collect data regarding your browsing history, habits while browsing online, details on most viewed pages, and searched items |
| Distribution | Insecure sites that deliver freeware and promote other programs can distribute software within bundles |
| Elimination | Remove AtHoc Toolbar with the help of a professional anti-malware tool |
| Repair | If the potentially unwanted program had enough time on your machine it may manage to affect crucial parts of the system files and functions. You should run a proper repair tool like FortectIntego to fix that |
In most cases, AtHoc Toolbar changes the start page, the default search engine, and the new tab page. In addition, this application may try to show you altered search results that may try to trick you into visiting required domains. No matter that it may seem that these domains are safe and harmless, you should keep in mind that they may try to trick you into downloading useless and even suspicious programs to your computer.
Besides, you may notice an increased amount of ads during your browsing because of AtHoc virus and may not even know that it is tracking your browsing activities. In most of the cases, it collects information, which is related to:
- people's search terms,
- mostly visited websites,
- data that is entered on each of these sites,
- PC's IP address,
- its location,
- similar details that may seem useless for you, but can be used by thrid-parties.
In fact, they are not because they are mostly used by third parties for altering their ads and making them more attractive to you. If you don't want to be tricked into clicking on any of the AtHoc Toolbar ads and then visiting a suspicious website, you should get rid of this program. For that, we highly recommend using anti-malware tools. Also, we should note that system alterations need to get fixed to avoid infection repetition, so rely on FortectIntego.
The main way for the threat distribution
There are lots of different methods that are used for spreading such questionable programs like this one. If you want to protect yourself, you need to remember two things. Firstly, never agree to install programs by clicking on urging pop-up ads that are offering them because you can easily end up with viruses.
In addition, carefully check every program before its installation because there are lots of freeware and shareware that have been filled with suspicious 'optional components'. These components not only modify your computer. They may also trick you into downloading other dangerous programs to your computer. How can you avoid AtHoc Toolbar?
When downloading freeware, you should select only Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware because these methods can easily help you to see what 'optional' components are hiding inside. Of course, you should also uncheck all questionable checkmarks that say that you want to download this or other browsers add ons, extensions, plugins, or toolbars to your computer. If this has already happened, please follow the guide below and fix your computer:
Ways to remove AtHoc Toolbar virus
Technically, this program is not a virus. Nevertheless, for preventing AtHoc Toolbar redirects, annoying ads, and similar issues, you should get rid of it. For that, you can use a professional anti-malware tool or security program that is capable of detecting such intruders.
AV detection engines can trace various parts of PUPs and then indicate all the intruders that you need to remove, including AtHoc Toolbar and other possibly related infections. You should rely on these automatic methods to achieve the best results.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of AtHoc toolbar. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of AtHoc toolbar registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser plugins
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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