HoroscopeZone browser hijacker (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Tutorial
HoroscopeZone browser hijacker Removal Guide
What is HoroscopeZone browser hijacker?
HoroscopeZone browser hijacker is the redirect virus that is not malicious, but very annoying and intrusive
The browser hijacker causes issues when the default homepage is set to this site instead of the common site
Horoscope Zone browser hijacker can be persistent and annoying while the promotional content claims that the browser extension improves the browsing experience and offers many functions and features that users should want to experience. The application can appear on the web browser as an extension or a toolbar.
The purpose of these hijackers is to change particular settings to the fake search engine site and affect all search attempts on web browsers. The app can also gather information and redirect to other pages, services, install programs that collect details about the user without their knowledge.
Horoscope-Zone.com is the site that gets set as the homepage, new tab, default search engine. Promotional content for this search engine claims that the service alters search attempts and can improve the performance significantly in a good way. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The opposite issues are reported by users who inadvertently installed the search engine on their browsers. There are no reasons for keeping the browser hijacker on the system, and this article lists how to get rid of it.
Name | HoroscopeZone |
---|---|
Type | Browser hijacker, search virus, redirect |
Category | Potentially unwanted program |
Issues | It affects the performance and speed with redirects, commercial content. Homepage, new tab, default search engine settings altered |
Website | horoscope-zone.com |
Distribution | Freeware installations, PUPs, deceptive content online |
IP address | 40.74.245.188 |
Elimination | Antivirus tools can help find and clear infections from the machine properly. Try running SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes for general system cleaning |
Repair | FortectIntego is needed for the system file repair since PUPs can affect system data and other pieces |
Horoscope-Zone.com browser hijacker redirects searches through the Nearbyme.io. This page is known for being related to various search hijackers that affect the machines. It is common for PUPs to get distributed via promotional advertisements and free download sites that can include the hijacker or adware-type program as the additional installation piece.
Software bundling and other deceiving material can trick people into installing the cyber threat without knowing. Unfortunately, that is still a common issue, and practices get used to this day. Adware or browser hijackers[1] are not considered dangerous malware, but issues are real.
Details about the browser hijacker HoroscopeZone
This program is commonly found on machines where other potentially unwanted programs are installed already. Unfortunately, that is the bigger issue because more PUPs[2] mean that the system is affected significantly. This should cause performance problems, speed issues and lead to installations of other browser-based applications.
Horoscope Zone even prevents users from undoing those changes in web browsers and the system, so it becomes persistent and annoying. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and other programs get affected, so you experience major issues.
Showing altered results and promoting dubious sites, commercial services, ad-supported pages helps the hijacker to generate revenue on other sites and advertising pages. This is one of the more common purposes of such browser-based applications. Horoscope-Zone.com browser hijacker is not a legitimate search engine or valuable piece.
The browser hijacker promotes other services and advertising pages and causes speed issues
Removing the potentially unwanted application
HoroscopeZone browser hijacker relies on fake Flash Player updates, deceptive pop-up ads, banners, free software installers, and bundling, misleading free download pages for the distribution. The program gets installed by users themselves, unfortunately. It happens when people do not pay enough attention to details and things like legitimate sources of computer programs and tools.
Users should rely on application developers and official sources for any browser applications, mobile programs, apps, browser-based tools. This can be crucial because various free services and distributors affect the security of the machine when you download things on the system. Software bundling is the method that experts[3] often note users about due to common uses in PUP distribution.
Horoscope Zone browser hijacker is controlled by the advertisers and sponsors that show the content on the screen once the program is installed. People cannot notice the infiltration since it is silent and happens behind your back. You need to take care of that to spot the unwanted behavior.
The infection opens various pop-ups and banners, includes links to promotional advertisements, and lists sponsored material on the screen when the user relies on this Horoscope Zone search engine. However, these issues are caused by the PUP running in the background.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Horoscope-Zone.com is one of many hijacker programs that promotes search engines and other ad-supported sites. The infection redirects people to browser hijacking services and other pages, so the exposure to malicious material can cause major issues with the machine.
You need to consider that and remove the intruder as soon as possible once you notice those issues and speed or performance problems. The hijacker itself and those advertisers related to the redirects can collect information about the user and their habits. Think about major malware infection consequences.
These programs get installed when particular ads get clicked and applications like this installed. Unfortunately, it is not that easy to find the intruder on the machine. You might need to remove the HoroscopeZone browser hijacker manually from the machine and there is a need for proper tools. This is where we can help you.
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 HoroscopeZone browser hijacker. Follow these steps
Delete from macOS
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
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 HoroscopeZone browser hijacker 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
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.