Homesweeklies.com (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Homesweeklies.com Removal Guide
What is Homesweeklies.com?
Homesweeklies.com is a potentially unwanted program that takes over the web browser
Homesweeklies.com is a browser hijacker[1] that has recently been bugging Mac users. Upon infiltration, the potentially unwanted program alters settings of such web browsers Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera, and sets the homepage to hxxp://homesweeklies.com. Because PUPs are usually distributed with the help of software bundling, Homesweeklies.com hijack is rarely noticed by users. Nevertheless, the presence of the unwanted application can be seen very shortly, as users start to struggle with intrusive pop-up ads, redirects, slow browser operation, and other disturbances. According to research, the app is a part of Genieo deceptive software.
| Summary | |
| Name | Homesweeklies.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP |
| Extension | PlaySearchNow |
| Related | Search.playsearchnow.com |
| Infiltration | Software bundling, insecure websites |
| Symptoms | Altered web browser settings, intrusive ads, redirects, slow browser, etc. |
| Elimination | Check our manual removal guide below |
| Optimization | To make sure your computer fully recovers from the infection, we suggest scanning it with FortectIntego |
Homesweeklies.com spreads as a browser extension PlaySearchNow. Users can sometimes be tricked into downloading it on shady websites. Nevertheless, it is most likely to be bundled with freeware and shareware. While the browser hijacker presents numerous sponsored links on the homepage, the search engine does not work entirely. This is another reason to remove Homesweeklies.com virus from macOS and use legitimate search engines instead.
The Homesweeklies.com browser hijacker does the following:
- Takes over the installed web browsers;
- Displays questionable ads, banners, coupons, etc.;
- Tricks users into installing other potentially dangerous software;
- Slows down the browser;
- Tracks users' searches and other non-personally identifiable information;
- Leads users to sponsored sites to profit from pay-per-click[2] scheme, etc.
While redirects and pop-ups to suspicious websites can lead you to phishing or malware-laden sites, the information tracking can compromise your online safety. Indeed, Homesweeklies.com authors reveal that they are tracking various data about users, as follows:
When operating the Extension and executing the Services we collect non personal information of end users that includes the following: operating system type and version, installed browsers type and versions language, access timestamp browsing data and search queries. At all time, we make sure to extract and store the data in an anonymous and aggregative manner.
While the non-PPI might not seem significant, don't forget that third-parties are tracking you continuously, meaning that they know what music you like, where do you shop, what movies you watch, etc. Due to privacy issues, users should be able to opt out of such information gathering. Unfortunately, there is no law preventing third-parties from gathering such data, so the best way to stay private is to refrain from using Homesweeklies.com and PlaySearchNow services.
Additionally, users on official Apple forums said that they are struggling[3] with Homesweeklies.com removal. However, the full elimination of the extension, along with browser reset should do the trick. If not successful, you should try more steps we provide below. Also, because some users struggled to remove PlaySearchNow, we suggest you scan your device with FortectIntego – it can repair the damage done by the virus.
Bundled software should be avoided at all costs
While not ALL bundled software is malicious or unwanted (for example, Dropbox or certain security software). However, most of the applications that are offered as optional components, and are hidden under Advanced or Custom installation settings are generally useless and will only clutter your machine.
Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to install free software from the internet correctly. These tips might help you:
- Download software from official websites only and avoid Download.com, Softpedia, and similar sites;
- Read app's review before installing it;
- During the installation, make sure you do not skip steps. Freeware authors often use marketing tricks like greyed out buttons that make users think that no other options are available;
- Read through ToS and Privacy Policy;
- Never pick Recommended options, regardless of the software you are installing;
- Select Advanced/Custom settings and eliminate all the optional components that are suggested.
Uninstall Homesweeklies.com and Play Search Now extension from Mac
While potentially unwanted programs are usually easy to eliminate, some PUPs cause users' problems. Homesweeklies.com removal proved quite difficult for several users that complained on official Apple forums. Nevertheless, the solution was found.
First of all, to completely remove Homesweeklies.com virus from your Mac, you should perform a regular procedure and move the extension or any other unwanted components to the Trash, as explained below. Next, you should reset each of the browsers that are installed on your device. However, if that did not stop the redirects and other activities, you should delete all the unwanted entries in your Library.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of Homesweeklies.com. Follow these steps
Delete from macOS
To remove Homesweeklies.com from Mac, follow these instructions:
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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
You should reset safari to stop the suspicious activities of PlaySearchNow
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Homesweeklies.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. Browser hijacker (browser hijacking). Search Security. Security information, news and tips.
- ^ Pay-per-click. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ How do I uninstall Play Search Now ?. Apple. Communities.