BitcoinPriceSearch – a PUP which promises a convenient access to cryptocurrency prices
BitcoinPriceSearch is a browser hijacker which can alter the default search engine, the start page, and new tab URL to https://hp.myway.com and https://search.myway.com right after infiltrating the system without user's knowledge. Additionally, you can start suffering from continuous redirects to sponsored websites, and different pop-up ads, in-text links, or banner ads that are typically placed on legitimate websites. This PUP[1] was developed by an infamous company called Mindspark Interactive Network so there is no surprise that its primary goal is to earn the money. While the main idea of BitcoinPriceSearch is to help users check the price of Bitcoin in a faster way, we highly recommend using this tool with carefulness.
| Name | BitcoinPriceSearch |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Does not affect other computer files. |
| NEGATIVE SIDES | Modifies web browsers, fills web search results with sponsored content, tracks its users. |
| Affected browsers | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc. |
| Elimination process | You can easily delete this PUP by using FortectIntego. |
As you can see, the PUP is not a truly useful tool to find needed information. Typically, it gets into the system thru its backdoors and then performs the following activities:
- Bitcoin Price Search starts its activity by altering your web browsers;
- Additionally, it starts appearing on browser each time the victim starts browsing the web;
- The virus Browsing activity details and various information is collected.
To continue, the new tab URL, search provider, and main page are changed to Myway search engine. These settings can be changed to the previous ones only if you remove the potentially unwanted program. Every single time a user clicks on the browser icon or opens a new tab section, hp.myway.com pop-ups. While it is not a malicious search engine, unwanted system changes are always disruptive.
In addition, this PUP provides intrusive ads and typically places them in your search results. They are the main reason why surfing the Internet becomes slower and disruptive. A lot of misleading and unnecessary information is being carried out thru them, so make sure you treat them with carefulness. These advertisements are being produced in order to gain profit by redirecting users to sponsored content. Developers collect some revenue from every click that is made.
Furthermore, BitcoinPriceSearch collects various information related to your browsing activity, and can even gather some personal details. Pages that you view, sites that you visit, search request you access – all this information is transferred to the developers and might be misused.
If you have overcome this or similar PUP, consider deleting it from your computer system at once. Otherwise, your searches will be disrupted each time you start searching the web. To remove BitcoinPriceSearch fully, you need to download an anti-malware tool such as FortectIntego, or any other reputable anti-virus. Make sure you download all updates to your system just to make sure that BitcoinPriceSearch removal is finished after the first scan.
Browser hijackers are mostly distributed within regular programs
According to experts,[2] browser hijackers have been using two methods to get into the target system. While you can download these “helpers” from their official download sites with the help of a few clicks. However, more commonly, these PUPs come together with bundled programs[3] which usually hide in the “Custom/Advanced” settings section. Users pay less attention while downloading and installing programs from well-known sources which might often be the case why such harmful programs as browser hijackers infect web browsers.
If you want to stay safe from this kind of trouble, you need to:
- Avoid dubious-looking sites, especially the ones that are filled with deals that are too good to be true. You can get a PUP downloaded very easily, just with one accidental click;
- Avoid indirect downloads by clicking hyperlinks. Once clicked, they might display harmful content;
- Be aware that malicious programs come within the regular software and check “Custom” or “Advanced” settings if downloading something that looks useful;
- It is advisable to install an anti-malware program and keep it up-to-date. It will scan your system for threats and help delete them if some are found.
Notice, that you are the one who is responsible for your computer's safety. So, be careful while browsing the web and always remember the steps that are mentioned above.
Choose a trustworthy method to eliminate BitcoinPriceSearch
To remove BitcoinPriceSearch, delete all suspicious-looking content which includes various browser extensions, applications, and other browser plug-ins. Virus removal guides are shown below, so make sure you follow them carefully to get rid of this PUP from all web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.
If you are looking for a quick and simple way to delete the browser hijacker, use programs that are displayed right below and proceed with BitcoinPriceSearch removal. After the anti-malware tool has done its job, refresh your browsers to their previous state to be sure that all is clean and good to go.
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.
Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment