Remove History Cleaner virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Improved Guide
Do not tolerate History Cleaner ads and remove the associated adware for your security
History Cleaner is a highly suspicious Google Chrome extension[1] that presents itself as a tool that helps to erase all necessary data in Google Chrome. However, IT professionals rank it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware[2], since it hardly does what it promises. Instead of providing promised features only, History Cleaner might display highly annoying web ads during user’s browsing sessions.
History Cleaner virus is a highly suspicious piece of software that should not be kept in the computer system. As soon as it gets a chance to establish itself on victim’s computer, it starts tracking user’s behavior online.
Typically, the adware aims to find out what kind of websites the victim visits or what content he clicks in them. It can also record search queries and collect time stamps showing how much time the victim spent on particular websites. Such activity allows HistoryCleaner developers select proper ads to display for the victim.
The extension communicates with ad networks and then loads commercial offers on the screen in the form of pop-up ads, banners, or even in-text links. It can be hard to understand that these ads do not originate from sites the victim visits.
However, the number of ads the infected computer generates clearly indicates that something is wrong with the system and that it needs a thorough system scan using anti-malware software like Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego.
You can also try to find and remove History Cleaner manually. To delete this highly suspicious threat from Chrome and get rid of its remains for good, we suggest using guidelines prepared by the 2-Spyware team (you can find them below).
History Cleaner virus is an extension for Chrome that installs silently and starts delivering dozens of annoying pop-up ads for the victim.
Distribution of ad-supported browser extensions
Unwanted browser extensions similar to History Cleaner (for instance, Always Weather, Noter Save and others) sneak into user’s computer alongside vague freeware packages that can be downloaded from the majority of file sharing websites.
It is also possible to encounter a suggestion to install the suspicious program while surfing the Internet if you click on an ad or link leading to the official website of such extension. However, software bundling is a much more efficient technique and therefore it is actively used in History Cleaner’s distribution.
To keep this suspicious extension away from Chrome and your computer system overall, always pick Custom or Advanced settings when installing new software. Installation wizards tend to include permissions to install “recommended” programs in Default or Standard installation options, which, to say at least, look trustworthy at first sight.
However, do not let these deceive you and opt for Custom/Advanced settings instead! Here, deselect all extras without any doubt. Dieviren.de experts report[3] that adware similar to HistoryCleaner has used similar infiltration techniques to infect computers of many German-speaking computer users.
Remove History Cleaner from your browser
Users willing to remove History Cleaner virus from Chrome and other browsers the virus possibly affected should carefully read the instructions provided below the article. We strongly suggest paying close attention to them and following given directions attentively. Do not try to eliminate this adware program hastily.
A complete History Cleaner removal can be completed using anti-spyware or anti-malware programs. If you are out of ideas of what security program to use, consider choosing one of the ones we recommend.
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 History Cleaner virus, follow these steps:
Get rid of History Cleaner from Windows systems
Read the provided guidelines with caution and then follow the provided steps to uninstall History Cleaner adware remains from Windows.
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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.
- Uninstall History Cleaner and related programs
Here, look for History Cleaner or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove History Cleaner from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
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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 History Cleaner 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 History Cleaner or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase History Cleaner virus 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, History Cleaner should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Uninstall History Cleaner from Google Chrome
To remove History Cleaner virus from Chrome, open chrome://extensions page and delete the unwanted extension from there. You can also use these guidelines to find and eliminate unwanted extensions from 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 History Cleaner and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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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.
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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 History Cleaner removal.
Get rid of History Cleaner from Safari
- 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 History Cleaner or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by History Cleaner, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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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 History Cleaner removal process.
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References
- ^ Why Browser Extensions Are Dangerous. Connecting the Dots. Guidance, Insight and Ideas in a Time of Accelerating Change.
- ^ Adware. Trend Micro USA. Security News, Threat Encyclopedia.
- ^ DieViren. DieViren. Malware, Spyware Removal Guides, Security News & Tips.
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