Search.hdigitalcointracker.net – a fake search engine that diminishes browsing experience

Search.hdigitalcointracker.net is a browser hijacker that is presented as a useful search engine for those who are in the cryptocurrency mining. This search tool is promoted as Digital Coin Tracker extension that allows quick access to crypto-news. However, it’s just a useless browser hijacker.
Digital Coin Tracker app does not have an official website and is not available in any app store. However, its developers – Polarity Technologies Ltd. – use software bundling to install it indirectly to computers. Once inside, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) makes a lot of changes:
- Sets Search.hdigitalcointracker.net as default search engine and homepage address;
- Modifies browser’s setting, Windows registry or makes other system changes;
- Triggers search redirects to Yahoo;
- Can redirect to sponsored websites;
- Might deliver misleading ads;[1]
- Prevent Search.hdigitalcointracker.net removal.
The purpose of the Search.hdigitalcointracker.net virus is to force people browsing the web via this search engine. However, the fact that it redirects to Yahoo results page should not make you believe in its legitimacy. Once you start typing search queries, the browser indicator turns to “not secure.”[2]
Users should be aware of Search.hdigitalcointracker.net redirect tendencies that may lead to money loss, computer infection or even identity theft. The hijacker might force you to visit misleading or potentially dangerous websites that are created by cyber criminals.
The functionality of Digital Coin Tracker virus also prevents users from changing their startup page and search engine simply. It means that even if you set a new search tool as your default one, after rebooting the system, you will find browser hijacker again.
To remove Search.hdigitalcointracker.net, you need to uninstall questionable extensions and programs that are associated with the hijacker. Our team has prepared a removal guide below the article. However, you can simplify this process with FortectIntego or another anti-malware.

Software bundling – the main distribution method of the hijacker
Search.hdigitalcointracker.net hijack might occur during the installation of freeware or shareware. The PUP spreads attached to free programs that you can download from any free download website or P2P network. However, you can prevent installation of undesired apps.
According to researchers from LesVirus.fr,[3] the majority of users rely on Standard/Quick installation settings. The problem is that it’s the main mistake. These settings do not openly disclose about third-party apps that might be offered to download along with the primary program.
You have always “unpack” all freeware by using Advanced/Custom settings. You might find pre-selected third-party offers that you have to decline by removing ticks from checkboxes.
Uninstall Search.hdigitalcointracker.net and get back access to your browser
To remove Search.hdigitalcointracker.net from Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or another web browser, you have to investigate the system and get rid of all hijacker-related programs and files. Please follow the guidelines below if you want to complete this task manually.
You can also opt for automatic Search.hdigitalcointracker.net removal which requires scanning the system with anti-malware software. However, you have to update it first. Additionally, browser reset is also recommended to delete tracking cookies or other invisible entries.
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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