Remove DictionaryBoss Toolbar (Removal Instructions) - 2020 update
DictionaryBoss Toolbar – a useless tool that will spam your Google Chrome browser with ads
DictionaryBoss Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program that specializes in advertising revenue
DictionaryBoss Toolbar is a browser extension developed by Mindspark Interactive and currently distributed by the Ask Applications. While the app is available on Google Web store, users may often find their web browser homepage, and a new tab changed to MyWay soon after they download and install freeware from third-party sites – this is because developers often use software bundling for its distribution.
From the first sight, DictionaryBoss Toolbar might seem like a good addition to the Google Chrome or another web browser, as it seemingly helps users with using a customized dictionary right from the front page. However, due to deceptive distribution techniques, as well as its browser hijacking[1] capabilities, DictionaryBoss has been categorized as a potentially unwanted program that brings intrusive advertisements and tracks information about users' web browsing habits.
| Name | DictionaryBoss Toolbar |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Developer | Mindspark Interactive |
| Publisher | Ask Applications |
| Customized search | MyWay search |
| Distribution | Official Google Web Store, third-party software installers, online advertising |
| Symptoms | Homepage and new tab address altered, a customized MyWay search engine appended, search results filled with sponsored links |
| Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, personal and anonymous data disclosure |
| Removal | If your browser is appended with a browser extension only, its termination from it can be performed easily; however, if you have a standalone application installed, you will have to get rid of it by following the instructions below |
| Optimization | For best results, we recommend scanning the system with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego |
As mentioned, DictionaryBoss Toolbar might be installed intentionally via the official store or might be advertised on various websites. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the hijacker might be installed as a standalone application. In such a case, DictionaryBoss Toolbar removal cannot be performed via the browser, but instead, you should follow steps provided at the bottom section.
Talking about functionality, DictionaryBoss Toolbar relies on its dictionary-based features, such as spellcheck and text translation. As it turns out, the function ultimately does not work, making the extension virtually useless.
Additionally, DictionaryBoss Toolbar hijacker includes multiple links to legitimate websites, such as Twitter, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Gmail, Instagram, etc. Nevertheless, keep in mind that this functionality is embedded within all modern browsers, and you can customize it as you please by adding links you are using the most when browsing the web.
Upon installation, users will be forced to search the web via a customized search engine powered by MyWay – a popular search tool used by various potentially unwanted programs. The major difference between using this engine and a reputable one (such as Google.com), is the number of sponsored links that it provides. Users need to scroll down to find the organic[2] results – those that not have been paid for to be at the top.
DictionaryBoss Toolbar is a browser hijacker their reads information about your online behavior and directs you to sponsored websites
That being said, DictionaryBoss Toolbar can fundamentally change the way you browse the web, all while the developers benefit from the website visits via the pay-per-click scheme that is commonly used to monetize. Additionally, you might encounter links that bring you to sites of a poor reputation, where you might be persuaded to install other potentially unwanted programs or provide personal information.
Besides directing you to sponsored sites and filling your searches with ads, DictionaryBoss Toolbar will also monitor your online behavior by using various tracking tools, including cookies, web beacons, and other technologies. The collected data may include:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Time stamp
- Keyword queries[3]
- Search terms
- Links clicked, etc.
Keep in mind that DictionaryBoss Toolbar can read and change data on a number of websites that you are visiting, including all dictionaryboss.com sites, anx.tb.ask.com, hp.myway.com, and live.tb.ask.com. Essentially, the information you type, which may include personal details, might be collected for marketing purposes.
All in all, while calling this extension/app a “DictionaryBoss Toolbar virus” is not entirely correct, it is understandable why users might refer to it this way. Besides, some said that had issues when they tried to remove DictionaryBoss from their machines – a common property of PUPs and malware.
Many anti-malware programs might help you get rod of DictionaryBoss Toolbar if you are having problems, although it should not be difficult to do if the browser hijacking capabilities are related to the browser extension – simply right-click on it and pick Remove. For best results, we recommend resetting web browsers and scanning the machine with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego if system errors are encountered after the removal process.
Some PUP distribution tactics involve deception
DictionaryBoss can be downloaded manually or in a bundle with other applications. If you need it, you can find this program on its official website or other sites that are involved in its distribution. However, it may also show up on your computer after downloading such freeware as PDF Creators, video creators, and similar. If you found DictionaryBoss on your computer out of nowhere, it may look like it infiltrated your machine as a virus.
In reality, you just missed a checkmark, which notified you about this additional download. That’s why you should be very careful when downloading such or similar programs on your computer. Remember, this program is not a virus, but it may cause you several problems, such as the disclosure of your personal information, annoying browser redirects, and other activities.
There are plenty of search tools available – so many that it might even get confusing what to use. Without diving deep into which search provider is the best, we highly recommend sticking to the most popular engines like Google or Bing.
Plenty of security applications will stop you from installing DictionaryBoss Toolbar
DictionaryBoss removal instructions
When trying to remove DictionaryBoss, you should use these special instructions:
Uninstall programs that are related to DictionaryBoss Toolbar from your computer:
- Click Start → Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
- When in the Add/Remove Programs/Uninstall a Program, look for DictionaryBoss Toolbar and other programs that are unknown to you.
- Click Uninstall and then OK to save the changes.
Reset Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
- Here, select unfamiliar plugins (DictionaryBoss Toolbar, MyWay, MyWebSearch, etc.) and select trash icon to delete these entries.
- In order to change your homepage, click on menu icon, choose Settings -> On startup section → set pages.
- Here, eliminate myway.com by clicking on the “X” and enter your preferred website.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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.
To remove DictionaryBoss Toolbar, follow these steps:
Delete DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
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Uninstall DictionaryBoss Toolbar and related programs
Here, look for DictionaryBoss Toolbar or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Get rid of DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for DictionaryBoss Toolbar or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for DictionaryBoss Toolbar and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete DictionaryBoss Toolbar removal.
Remove DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, DictionaryBoss Toolbar should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Uninstall DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select DictionaryBoss Toolbar and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
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Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete DictionaryBoss Toolbar removal.
Eliminate DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
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Here, select DictionaryBoss Toolbar and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete DictionaryBoss Toolbar removal.
Delete DictionaryBoss Toolbar from Safari
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
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Here, select Extensions and look for DictionaryBoss Toolbar or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....
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Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete DictionaryBoss Toolbar removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Browser hijacking. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Ramona Sukhraj. Organic search vs paid search: What's the difference in 2020?. Impact. Marketing agency.
- ^ Elisa Gabbert. Keywords vs. Search Queries: What's the Difference?. WordStream. Online advertising made easy.
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