Remove Movies Toolbar (Removal Guide) - 2018 update
Movies Toolbar is a PUP which claims to provide easy access to movie trailers, and video tools
Movies Toolbar is a browser hijacker which takes over most popular browsers, like Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox and initiates redirects to search.ask.com site.
Movies Toolbar is a browser hijacker[1] which is advertised as a useful tool for regular computer users. According to the compelling description, this add-on should help users see the latest movie trailers and access online video tools. Although, experts categorize it as a potentially unwanted program, as it might modify settings of most popular browsers, like Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, etc.
Name | Movies Toolbar |
---|---|
Type | Browser hijacker |
Sub-type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
Targeted browsers | Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and others |
Developer | APN LLC |
Distributor | Bandoo Media |
Modifications | Browser settings are altered to redirect users to search.ask.com search engine each time they open a new tab or window |
Spreading techniques | It can infect the system together with freeware or shareware |
Removal | Scan your device with Reimage Reimage Cleaner to uninstall Movies Toolbar |
Usually, computer users might not even notice how and when Movies Toolbar is installed on their computers. Experts warn that this potentially unwanted program (PUP) spreads via software-bundles. Users should be aware that they might encounter various names of this browser hijacker used online, including the following:
- Movies Toolbar for Internet Explorer;
- Movies Toolbar for Chrome;
- Movies Toolbar for Firefox;
- Etc.
Once Movies Toolbar infiltrates the targeted system, specific browser alterations are initiated. In other terms, users are continuously redirected to search.ask.com site when browsing. Note that this is a fraudulent search engine which can display deceptive search results in order to promote affiliate sites.
Keep in mind that Movies Toolbar virus is a term used by annoyed computer users who cannot get rid of this program. Even though this browser hijacker is not malicious itself, Movies Toolbar redirect tendency can put your computer's security at risk. Researchers report that some of the websites which are promoted by this add-on[2] can include potentially dangerous content and lead to malware infections.
Movies Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program which spreads via software-bundles as an additional component.
If that is not enough for you to consider Movies Toolbar removal, we want to warn you that browser hijackers are programmed to collect non-personally identifiable information about its users. That includes ISP, browser history, clicked ads, IP address and other data.
We would like to encourage you to switch to more reliable tools to enhance your browsing experience and get Movies Toolbar removal tool. The easiest way to protect your system from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) is to scan the computer with Reimage Reimage Cleaner or similar software.
Additionally, you can try to remove Movies Toolbar by yourself. For that, our experts have prepared detailed instructions to guide you through the process. The elimination guide also includes steps to reset each of the affected browsers and help you get rid of redirects to search.ask.com website.
Freeware and shareware help distributing PUPs
Regular computer users can install this add-on from the official Bandoo Media website. Although, we have received reports that it might enter the system stealthily as well. This happens when people download and install various third-party apps without closely monitoring the procedure.
If you desperately need to download the similar application, you should always check every installation window and eliminate unwanted entries. For that, choose Custom or Advanced installation mode and opt out all additional suspicious components, including the following:
- I agree to install Movies Toolbar for Internet Explorer;
- Get Movies Toolbar for Chrome;
- Install Movies Toolbar for Firefox;
- Etc.
Steps to remove Movies Toolbar from your computer
If you have decided that you want to clean your computer from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and remove Movies Toolbar, you have two essential steps to take — uninstall all suspicious applications and reset your browser settings to the defaults.
Researchers[3] note that you can complete Movies Toolbar removal either automatically or manually. You will find the list of recommended security programs to run the full system scan and eliminate all potentially unwanted programs, including so-called Movies Toolbar virus.
In case you opt to uninstall Movies Toolbar manually, check the instructions presented below. In addition to them, you will see the guidelines showing how to reset all the affected browsers and complete the final steps of the elimination.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . 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 Movies Toolbar, follow these steps:
Eliminate Movies Toolbar from Windows systems
You must clean your Windows OS from all unknown applications to be able to proceed with the further elimination steps.
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
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 Movies Toolbar and related programs
Here, look for Movies Toolbar or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Movies Toolbar from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
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.
Uninstall Movies Toolbar from Mac OS X system
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Movies Toolbar or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Movies Toolbar from Internet Explorer (IE)
If Movies Toolbar has hijacked your IE, try finding and deleting all questionable entries from the browser.
-
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. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Movies Toolbar and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
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.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Movies Toolbar removal.
Erase Movies Toolbar from Microsoft Edge
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.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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, Movies Toolbar should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of Movies Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Movies Toolbar and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click OK to save these changes.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Movies Toolbar removal.
Remove Movies Toolbar from Google Chrome
You can easily reset Chrome to defaults by following these instructions:
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Movies Toolbar and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
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.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Movies Toolbar removal.
Eliminate Movies Toolbar 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. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Movies Toolbar or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
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 Movies Toolbar, 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.
-
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
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 Movies Toolbar removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Margaret Rouse. browser hijacker (browser hijacking). SearchSecurity. TechTarget.
- ^ Add-on. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ BedyNet. BedyNet. Security and Spyware News.
Removal guides in other languages
Your opinion regarding Movies Toolbar
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July 16th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
I have noticed that Movies Toolbar has recently been added to the Torch browser. It was not present on version 29.0.0.5530, but it is on the latest version, as of 16th. July 2014. There is no choice about installing the toolbar, but it is stated in the small print, that you agree to. Fortunately I had kept the offline installer for 29.0.0.5530 (47.4 MB) and was able to use that for a new installation. This version does not seem to cause any problems. It is a pity, because I liked Torch for its proxies, video downloader and torrent client all built in. I guess they just got greedy or wanted some money for their efforts.