Remove Hbpix virus (Tutorial)

Hbpix file virus is the questionable application responsible for questionable advertising content

The screenshot of HBPix file and /idpix.media6degrees.com website

HBpix virus is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that can be automatically installed on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox while browsing on an insecure website. Once inside, adware starts displaying ads, redirecting to suspicious sites, and collecting information about user’s activities online.

The biggest issue related to Hbpix adware is that it spreads by automatically downloading itself to the system right after the user enters the corrupted website. In most of the cases, it comes from http://idpix.media6degrees.com site^[1]. However, there have been a couple of other sites that have been noticed spreading this file:

boatos.org;
dstillery.com;
nerfnow.com.

The file can be dropped in devices that run on Windows and Android operating systems. Once inside, the adware hijacks web browsers and starts displaying pop-ups, banners, and other types of online ads that diminish the browsing experience.

Name	HBpix
Type	Adware, potentially unwanted program
Distribution	Freeware installation processes can lead to infiltrations of unwanted and possibly damaging pieces. The file can be included as an additional piece in software bundle
Problems	Many programs can get installed without your knowledge when the intruder like the PUP is active on the system already, exposure to the questionable online material is also dangerous
Elimination	The system can be cleaned properly with the help of anti-malware tools
Repair	Your device gets significantly affected, do not forget to clear virus damage using Fortect Intego or a similar piece

HBpix ads usually arrive in the form of discount coupons, shopping offers, and freebies. However, they might also give misleading offers to install updates or security software to clean supposedly infected computers. Security experts from Portugal^[2] tell that clicking and downloading content from these advertisements may lead to the infiltration of malware.

Apart from displaying ads, the malware can also open a new browser’s page or trigger redirects to a third-party website when a user clicks on a link or other content. The main problem with content delivered by adware is that it might lead to potentially dangerous, infected, or phishing websites where user’s computers and privacy might be compromised.

Additionally, the redirect virus can spy on a user’s activities online. The adware installs tracking cookies to the affected web browsers and starts collecting information about users' visited websites, search queries, clicked ads, and similar browsing-related information.

However, adware is also suspected of tracking personal information too. Therefore, immediate HBpix removal is needed to avoid losing passwords, credit card details, and other sensitive information because all aggregated information is sent to the remote server.

Therefore, this malware might lead to privacy-related issues and even identity theft. For this reason, you should remove HBpix from the computer as soon as you notice an increased amount of ads and browsing-related problems.

Infiltration of HBpix malware might lead to further cyber attacks

According to the VirusTotal analysis^[3], the initial file does not contain malware. However, its appearance on the computer might increase your chances to get infected with other cyber threats.

According to security experts, HBpix has been found to have a direct relation to WCReg.mht file. The .mht extension is Microsoft proprietary format. However, it might contain HTML contents (pictures, audio files, and scripts). Considering the latter aspect, you should be careful with this component and get rid of it before it downloads other malware to your computer.

The application can also be found as Html.Trojan.Iframe-12, other relations suggest that it might be related to two exploit kits – identified as Exploit (04c55ad41), Backdoor.Win32.InCommander and Faceliker trojan.^[4]

Considering these aspects and the fact that the file is downloaded without asking users’ direct permission, you should make a rush to remove HBpix file. It would be beneficial to scan your machine with multiple security tools, such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, just to make sure that the system is clean. Keep in mind that you are dealing with a seriously suspicious program.

The picture illustrating HBPix file information

Compromised websites help adware to spread

The main method that is used for spreading adware is drive-by downloads. It means that the hijack occurs when a user visits a compromised website. Then malicious script downloads PUP to the computer.

Therefore, users are reminded to avoid visiting questionable websites to avoid the infiltration of ad-supported applications. However, it’s not the only way how it can infiltrate the system. This PUP might enter the system bundled with freeware or shareware.

Many free programs are software bundles that include numerous PUPs. When you install freeware using Quick/Standard settings, all “additional components” can sneak into the system without asking the user’s permission.

To avoid that you have to switch to Advanced/Custom settings and carefully follow the installation guide. Remove the ticks from all pre-selected entries no matter how useful these applications seem. Most of the time they cause problems.

Get rid of the virus and reset affected web browsers

To remove HBpix adware from the computer, you have to carefully investigate the system and delete all adware-related entries. You should check the Downloads folder, delete hbpix.exe and uninstall suspicious applications from the Control Panel. Android users should also consider resetting their devices to their primary state.

Additionally, you should reset each of the affected web browsers in order to delete tracking cookies and make sure that threat removal is successful. Finally, check if the file did not come in a bundle with a trojan horse or some backdoor virus, don't forget to take additional measures, meaning you should scan the system with anti-malware software.

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.

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.

How to remove Hbpix virus

Hbpix file virus is the questionable application responsible for questionable advertising content

Infiltration of HBpix malware might lead to further cyber attacks

Compromised websites help adware to spread