Remove Initialpage123.com virus (Removal Guide) - Jul 2020 update
Initialpage123.com is a browser hijacker that alerts web browser settings
Questions about Initialpage123.com virus
Initialpage123 is a browser hijacker that has been disturbing users for years. The program is also considered to a potentially unwanted application due to its deceptive infiltration practices. It affects a variety of browsers, including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. Soon after the infiltration, Initialpage123 modifies each of the installed browser's settings by setting new tab URL, homepage and search engine to hxxp://initialpage123. From that point, users will be forced to browse through a hijacked engine and will encounter countless sponsored links, pop-up ads, redirects to suspicious websites, and other unwanted activities.
| Name | Initialpage123 |
| Type | Browser hijacker/PUP |
| Affected browsers | Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera etc |
| Distribution | Software bundling, insecure sites |
| Main dangers | Data exposure, malware infection |
| Elimination | Check our guide below or use security software |
| Optimization | After the PUP is deleted, scan your PC with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego to ensure best results |
Unfortunately, Initialpage123 can quickly fill your search results with the sponsored links that can redirect you to fake survey sites or domains that promote infected updates. Keep in mind that you should be very careful with this search engine and don't forget to remove it from the system if it has already infiltrated it without your approval.
Beware that your attempts to replace Initialpage123.com domain with another one can fail. The majority of this kind of applications might append arguments to various shortcuts or install browser helper objects that protect this hijacker. However, you can perform automatic Initialpage123 removal on your computer. In this case, make sure you employ a reliable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego.
Eliminating Initialpage123 browser hijacker is necessary for several reasons. First of all, it was installed without your knowledge and made modifications without asking your permission. Secondly, this simply designed search engine may not perform its primary function smoothly and credibly. Nevertheless, it provides results from Yahoo database; they still might be altered. Therefore, instead of relevant links, you might find sponsored content on the results page.
The main concern is related to Initialpage123.com redirect issues. Clicking on third-party content might be dangerous. Search results or ads may redirect to the infected, phishing[1] or tech support scam[2] sites. So, using this tool might increase your chances to suffer from various cyber crimes.
The third reason why you should hurry up to remove Initialpage123 is that this application might collect personal information[3] about users, such as name, gender, date of birth and country. The biggest problem here is that aggregated details might be shared or sold to third-parties and affiliate companies.
Initialpage123.com is a suspicious search engine that might provide altered search results.
Distribution techniques used by a browser hijacker
Distribution of potentially unwanted programs is usually performed with the help of other software. Method, which is applied to install several programs in one pack, is called “bundling.”
Sure, this virus is not a dangerous cyber infection that could infect computers just like ransomware viruses do. However, it can easily trick you to let it in. If you haven’t opted out optional applications during software installation, there is no surprise that you have to deal with hijack now.
If you installed a new program under Quick or Standard setup, you could not stop browser hijacker from entering the system. If you quickly rushed through Advanced or Custom setup, you probably have overlooked a pre-selected statement where you agreed to replace your former search provider.
Therefore, this PUP sneaked inside your device with your recently installed software. Next time make sure you choose Advanced/Custom installation wizard and carefully follow each step.
Initialpage123.com removal guide
Initialpage123 removal does not require complicated steps because the virus does not belong to the family of hazardous cyber infections.[4] To get rid of this potentially unwanted program, you need to uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs list at first. Then, make sure you reset each of your web browsers to remove Initialpage123 from the device completely.
As we mentioned in the beginning, you can also opt for Automatic removal option to fix your computer after infiltration of this browser hijacker. In this case, you will be capable of thoroughly investigating the system and deleting all hijacker-related components.
To remove Initialpage123.com using this method, you need to install an anti-malware program and scan the affected computer with an updated tool. Within several minutes, all suspicious entries will be eliminated. Then, reset your browser and choose your preferred homepage address and search engine.
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 Initialpage123.com virus, follow these steps:
Eliminate Initialpage123.com from Windows systems
Manual Initialpage123 removal requires investigating the system and deleting all questionable programs from the device. Make sure that you delete all hijacker related components in order to avoid re-hijack.
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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 Initialpage123.com and related programs
Here, look for Initialpage123.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Initialpage123.com 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.
Erase Initialpage123.com 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 Initialpage123.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Get rid of Initialpage123.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
If you want to remove this hijacker from Internet Explorer, you need to reset it as shown below.
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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.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Initialpage123.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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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.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Initialpage123.com removal.
Uninstall Initialpage123.com virus from Microsoft Edge
To remove Initialpage123.com from Microsoft Edge, you need to follow these instructions.
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, Initialpage123.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Delete Initialpage123.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
If you decided to get rid of this hijacker from Mozilla Firefox, you need to find all suspicious add-ons on your computer and remove them. For that, please, follow the instructions below.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select Initialpage123.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.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
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Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Initialpage123.com removal.
Remove Initialpage123.com from Google Chrome
To fix Google Chrome, you need to follow the steps below.
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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 Initialpage123.com 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 Initialpage123.com removal.
Eliminate Initialpage123.com 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 Initialpage123.com 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 Initialpage123.com, 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 Initialpage123.com removal process.
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 various losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Software issues created by malware or direct data loss due to encryption can lead to problems with your device or permanent damage. When you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work.
It is crucial to create updates to your backups after any changes on the device, so you can get back to the point you were working on when malware changes anything or issues with the device causes data or performance corruption. Rely on such behavior and make file backup your daily or weekly habit.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware occurs out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the system restoring purpose.
About the author
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References
- ^ What is Phishing?. Kent State University. The official website.
- ^ Alex Thomas Sadler. Warning: This fake tech support scam will give criminals access to your computer. Clark. Consumer advice, articles and information from the nationally syndicated radio talk show host.
- ^ Personal Information. PrivacySense. Privacy information, tips and expert interviews.
- ^ Ryan Olson. 2017 Cybersecurity Predictions: New Norms Expected in Threat Landscape. Palo Alto Networks Blog. The blog about cyber security and latest industry news.
April 5th, 2017 at 7:17 am
I failed to install software correctly and initialpage123.com hijacked my browser… I did not like this search engine..
April 5th, 2017 at 7:18 am
It took hours for me to find all components related to this hijacker. Its so annoying!
April 5th, 2017 at 7:19 am
Well, I managed to delete it manually within several minutes. Great instructions, guys!