Kalox APP is yet another malware distributed via Chrome Web Store and other legitimate sources
Kalox APP is a free-to-download Chrome extension that alters web browsers settings and promotes sponsored content. Although it is promoted as a useful tool for optimizing web searches, it's not worth trust since it has tens of sponsors who seek to boost traffic to suspicious third-party websites, increase sales or generate pay-per-click revenue.
Although affiliate marketing is widely used, some applications, including Kalox APP take advantage of this marketing strategy in a shady way and trick users in many ways. According to cybersecurity researchers, this tool can get installed via freeware bundles and distort Chrome's settings without the user's approval. Once it infiltrates the system, it sets a new tab window (usually, google.page or s3redirect.com) and starts causing continuous redirects to affiliated sites. Besides, the web browser may get filled with loads of commercial and non-commercial advertisements.
| Name | Kalox APP |
| Type | Browser hijacker[1], Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP), redirect virus |
| Distribution | The main source for downloading this PUP is the Chrome Web Store. However, often people end up with this extension after recklessly downloading freeware |
| Symptoms | The Kalox APP extension enabled on Chrome or another web browser without permission. Unfamiliar new tab window set as default. Ongoing web browser's redirects and many ads on random websites |
| Related websites | Usually, this extension sets google.page or s3redirect.com as a Chrome's NewTab and triggers redirects via these sites |
| Is it dangerous? | The app is considered to be potentially dangerous. Although it does not pose direct harm to the system, the content that it displays can expose you to misleading domains used for virus or malware distribution |
| Compatibility | Designed for Chrome, though it can successfully be installed on Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other web browsers |
| Removal | The extension can be disabled manually via the web browser's settings. Nevertheless, if it has been installed alongside freeware, it's advisable to use an automatic tool and initiate a full system scan to get rid of malware |
| Fixing damage | Third-party tools are capable of altering Windows registry entries and startup applications. Thus, we recommend scanning the system with FortectIntego to repair suchlike changes |
Kalox APP extension is a legitimate extension for Chrome that can be used by anyone who sees the potential of the tool to improve the web browsing experience. However, those who seek a safer web browsing experience are not recommended to use it.
In fact, the Kalox APP virus is the most frequent keyword to refer to this tool. The reason for that is rather simple – it tends to infiltrate PCs via freeware bundles or click to download full-page ads that people may encounter while landing on suspicious third-party sites.
As a consequence, the application may get installed without the user's permission and knowledge about suchlike applications. Following that, Chrome or another default web browser starts initiating abnormal activities, i.e:
- new tab window pops up as soon as the user opens the web browser;
- Kalox APP redirects reroute traffic to suspicious-looking third-party sites;
- Intrusive banner ads, pop-ups, full-page ads, and other content block the original content up;
- Web browser randomly opens third-party software download websites where you may be tempted to download apps like RevContent, Mazy Search, Safe Finder, and others;
- Often the hijack of this New Tab extension is accompanied by a browser redirect virus that replaces a default start page and search engine;
- Cookies and web beacons may get installed in order to record user's web browsing activities (including IP address, geolocation, and email address) and the gathered data can further be used for marketing purposes;
Thus, our security experts along with the team of NoVirus.uk[2] agree upon labeling this application as potentially unwanted program and recommend performing Kalox APP removal without a delay. This procedure is not difficult, except that it's important to identify which freeware has been carrying the unwanted extension. You can do that manually with the help of instructions submitted below or use a reputable anti-malware tool.
As soon as you remove Kalox APP virus from the machine, we strongly recommend eliminating the remnants of the malware from the registries and other locations. For that, you can take advantage of the [d1[ repair tool.
Ways to prevent the inadvertent installation of PUPs
PUPs are not dangerous, so users should not worry too much if one of them accidentally got installed. However, such applications are actively used for advertising, meaning that they can be extremely intrusive due to advertising and ongoing redirects.
As we have pointed out before, this particular extension can be downloaded from Chrome Web Store[3] and other legitimate sources purposely. However, in most of the cases, it gets installed accidentally as an additional component of freeware and shareware.
To prevent unwanted web browser's changes, the flood of sponsored ads, and continuous redirects to the websites of the affiliate parties, you should be cautious when downloading freeware and stop downloading random applications just to check what features they offer.
Instead, carefully read what functions the freeware offers, how does it work, whether it tracks users' browsing history or not, who are its developers, read reviews and etc. Otherwise, you can end up installing malware with a bunch of additional components, such as adware or browser hijacker.
To prevent bundled installers, always opt for Advanced or Custom installation methods, and carefully read the information provided on the installation setup. You should pay attention to the windows that contain pre-selected components. Otherwise, if you fail to unmark the checkboxes, all unwanted extensions and add-ons will be installed by default.
Learn how to disable Kalox APP extension from Chrome and other browsers
To remove Kalox APP virus from your web browser, all you have to do is to open the web browser's settings, navigate to the extensions list, and pick the “Remove from Chrome” option. However, if your start page, new tab window, and search engine have also been changed, you may need to revert those changes as well via web browser's settings. The easiest way to do that is to reset default settings.
After the Kalox APP removal from the browser, you should check the system for malware. If you installed this PUP via freeware, there's a high-risk that suspicious third-party tools are running in the background. Unwanted apps can be eliminated with the help of a professional anti-virus or manually. However, a full system's optimization can only be initiated with the help of tools like FortectIntego.
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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