Junkie web browser hijacker – a PUP that redirects all searches through a fake search engine

Junkie web is a browser hijacker because it might change browser settings, such as the homepage, new tab, default search engine. Once it's installed as a program or as a browser extension, every time users type something into the URL bar, their search inquires are redirected through keysearchs.com. All the results get injected with ads, banners, triggers redirects to suspicious or even dangerous commercial pages.
That's a fake search site as it doesn't generate any search results by itself. Depending on users' geolocations, they are redirected either to Google search or through my-search.com, then search-checker.com, until ending up on Bing search. By doing that, Junkie web browser hijacker is able to collect browsing-related data that might be shared with interested third-parties or advertising companies.
Because of information collection, redirects, and stealthy distribution techniques Junkie web virus is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (or PUP for short) and thus should not be used by anyone who values their safety and privacy. This article explains how it might have ended up on a device, how to remove it, and how to restore the system's general wellbeing.
| name | Junkie web |
|---|---|
| type | Potentially unwanted program, browser hijacker, |
| Browser changes | Startpage, new tab, default search engine. The extension gets installed |
| Ip address | 104.21.36.47 |
| promoted sites | Mainly – keysearchs.com. In some cases – my-search.com and search-checker.com |
| Symptoms | A slower internet connection and overall device performance. Redirects, continuous advertisements, additional installs |
| Risks | Gathered browsing data reveals browsing habits that might be shared with advertisers or other interested parties |
| Distribution | Freeware bundles, deceptive ads |
| removal | Trustworthy anti-malware software should be used to remove PUPs and any other suspicious apps |
| System Fix | Users need to take care of the overall health of their devices by using powerful system repair tools like the FortectIntego app |
Browser hijackers might be promoted to increase user's privacy while browsing the internet but rarely anyone download and install them willingly. Mostly these PUPs find their way into devices through deceptive ads or software/freeware bundles, i.e., packs of more than one application.
Junkie web browser hijacker and other PUPs don't provide any privacy. In fact, it might do the exact opposite by collecting various browsing-related data, which includes:
- IP addresses.
- Browser and device information.
- Geolocation.
- Most frequently visited sites.
- Search queries, etc.
Such data collection and different third-party involvement should encourage you to search for solutions to fight these redirects and unwanted advertisements. Make sure to clean the machine with proper tools and eliminate the PUP, but remember about the damage done to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Safari browsers. You can find a guide below for browser resetting.

If you've got this PUP installed on your device unwillingly or you're tired of its redirects or any other of its functions – it's time to remove Junkie web from your device. If you want to get rid of it automatically, then we recommend using reliable anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes for that.
Once Junkie web removal is finished, experts[1] advise performing a system tune-up. The best way to do that is by scanning your entire computer system with powerful system repair apps like the FortectIntego tool and letting the software do the rest.
Learn how to identify deceptive advertisements
Cybercriminals are using deceptive ads to trick people into downloading something that they have no need for. All kinds of malware and potentially unwanted programs[2] can be delivered through these apps. So our cybersecurity team compiled a few pointers to help users distinguish false ads and malicious browser extensions.
First of all, no legitimate website asks its visitors to download some application or install a browser extension to view some secret content. Only high-risk shady portals use these techniques to distribute PUPs that would display banners, pop-ups, and other kinds of unwanted ads.

And no website has the power to detect whether some software installed on users' devices needs to be updated or that a malware infection contaminates the computer itself. Cybercriminals use these tricks to deceive users into downloading and installing PUPs or hazardous malicious software.
Simple steps to remove Junkie web browser hijacker and restore the system settings
PUPs may not seem as dangerous as malware,[3] but they don't do any good either. Users are either tricked into installing them, or they get installed without direct consent. Thus there's no place for a browser hijacker on a machine. The best way to remove Junkie web is by using anti-malware tools that would complete this task automatically.
Some pieces might require users to do Junkie web removal manually. Please don't be frightened, as it doesn't require extensive knowledge. We provide free step-by-step instructions for that just below this paragraph. After all is said and done, don't forget to repair any system issues with powerful system tune-up tools to get your device back on track.
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.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

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.

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