Remove Foobaroo.com (Easy Removal Guide) - Tutorial
Foobaroo – a potentially unwanted program which promotes FooSearch in a bundle
Foobaroo is a browser hijacker which aims to level up users' browsing experience. However, once you decide to add this PUP to your Chrome, you can find out that the virus installed FooSearch browser extension in a bundle and altered other system's settings. At the moment, this PUP is affecting Chrome, but it is only a matter of time until it starts hijacking Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera and other browsers by changing the homepage, new tab URL, and default search provider to Foobaroo.com. Once this browser-hijacking app appears in your browser, it has one main purpose – to collect income from naive victims.
| Name | Foobaroo |
|---|---|
| Spreads in a bundle with | FooSearch |
| Type | Browser hijacker/PUP |
| OS affected | Windows OS, Mac OS X |
| Infected browsers | Google Chrome |
| Purpose | Gathers browsing-related details about its victim to gain profit from them |
| Distribution methods | Via software bundles, dubious sites, links |
| Elimination process | Use Reimage and delete the annoying program |
At the moment, we are aware that the developers of Foobaroo virus are gathering these browsing activity-related details:
- IPs;
- Bookmarks;
- Visited pages;
- Online sites you enter;
- Various videos and pictures you view.
As you can read in hijacker's Privacy Policy, such information is used only for good reasons. However, this is beneficial only for the program owners because they get information about users' interests and additionally set up eye-catching links to sponsored websites. This strategy is used for generating income. However, it can also redirect you to a malicious website having a different Privacy Policy and failing to take users' privacy as an important thing:
Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third-party products or services on our website. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.
In addition, Foobaroo.com hijack has another annoying feature – producing numerous ads. Pop-ups, pop-unders, various banners, and coupons start popping out each time you try to surf the Internet. This might lead to various struggles when trying to maintain browsing. Your web browser might start working slower than usual or even crash from time to time.
Numerous people have already fallen for this dubious app as it is promoted as an extension with a “useful” feature – quick links to commonly visited sites. It might look completely legitimate due to its appearance alone. However, do not get tricked as this browser hijacker manages to trigger your browsing activity. Better remove Foobaroo.com virus from your PC as soon as you overcome it.
Nevertheless, each time when you try to use your browser, you are forced to do searches via the new search engine. Search query results might appear to be misleading or inaccurate. These kinds of changes cannot be undone unless you perform the Foobaroo removal.
Foobaroo.com is a PUP which has been actively promoting FooSearch and other potentially unwanted components.
Stay away from browser hijacker infections
According to NoVirus.uk experts[1], browser hijackers have been actively spread on the Internet by using many different ways. During these “fake news” times,[2] the most popular distribution method is “bundling”. Such PUPs come together with other regular and legitimate programs. Hijacks install together with the original program and can infiltrate the system unnoticed.
To continue, you can also overcome a browser-hijacking application while visiting various suspicious-looking pages or entering questionable links. Once clicked, such content might redirect you to other pages filled with damaging components. Furthermore, browser hijackers can be downloaded and installed form their original website or even purchased on the Google Web Store[3].
Avoid PUP infections and keep your browsers clean:
- Do not enter any sites you cannot recognize.
- Eliminate all dubious apps and never return.
- Try using only original downloaders/installers.
- Run an antivirus for higher computer protection.
Get rid of Foobaroo.com from your infected browsers
To remove Foobaroo.com hijack from your computer and browser, you need to eliminate all PUP-related components which include dubious browser extensions, apps, plug-ins. Instructions for this elimination method are displayed below, but you should use it only if you feel an experienced user who knows how to uninstall programs via Task manager and reset web browser without losing important data.
If you are not ready for this task, you can get rid of Foobaroo virus by using a faster way. What you need to do is download an anti-malware tool, update it to its latest version and run a full system scan. It will show you quick guidance and let you eliminate the cyber threat within a couple of minutes.
After you work on the Foobaroo removal, we highly recommend repeating the scan to make sure that your system is virus-free. Additionally, take care of the affected browser by refreshing it to its previous state. This will let you make sure that no browser hijacker-related content is still inside the system.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Foobaroo.com, follow these steps:
Delete Foobaroo.com from Windows systems
To uninstall Foobaroo.com from your Windows OS, follow these steps:
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
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.
- Uninstall Foobaroo.com and related programs
Here, look for Foobaroo.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Foobaroo.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
-
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Eliminate Foobaroo.com from Mac OS X system
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Foobaroo.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Foobaroo.com from Google Chrome
Get rid of all PUP-related components from Chrome web browser by using this guide:
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
-
Here, select Foobaroo.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
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.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Foobaroo.com removal.
Erase Foobaroo.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
At the moment, the virus is affecting only Chrome. However, if if showed up on your IE, reset this browser with the help of these steps:
-
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.
-
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Foobaroo.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
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.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Foobaroo.com removal.
Get rid of Foobaroo.com 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.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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, Foobaroo.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Remove Foobaroo.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
[GI=safari]
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
-
Here, select Foobaroo.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
-
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Foobaroo.com removal.
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References
- ^ NoVirus. Virus experts/IT security solutions.
- ^ Craig Timberg. Russian propaganda effort helped spread ‘fake news’ during election, experts say. Washington Post. Business.
- ^ Chrome Web Store. Various purchasable apps.
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