Search.hmyutilitybox.co – a bogus search engine that shows tons of ads and causes redirects to questionable sites
Search.hmyutilitybox.co is yet another browser hijacker developed by Polarity Technologies Ltd. This search engine is considered to be a potentially unwanted program that attaches itself to Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser soon after the hijack. Thus, users are forced to browse the Internet through this page each time they open their homepage and search engine.
Myutilitybox offers users an “enhanced” functionality with quick action buttons to email provider Gmail, a retail giant Amazon, and a variety of links to multiple utility pages, such as a calculator, translator, calendar, and others. Additionally, users can access local weather and news right from their browser.
| Name | Search.hmyutilitybox.co |
|---|---|
| Also known as | My Utility Box |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Severity Level | Low. However, might lead to malware infections with careless browsing |
| Symptoms | A hijacked front page; multiple ads and redirects; slowdown of the computer |
| Distribution | Fake Flash Player updates, software bundling |
| Removal | Eliminate any intruder by scanning your device with a reliable anti-malware engine |
| System health | Use the FortectIntego software to delete all tracking cookies and repair damaged system sections |
Although some users might find this functionality useful – they are being deceived by the PUP authors. The “improved functionality” is fake and brings no benefit to an everyday user. In reality, developers of the browser hijacker are trying to manipulate search results, reroute to sponsors’ websites, display intrusive ads and record a certain amount of non-personal information.[1]
The reason for these actions is money. Polarity earns a decent amount of revenue by luring users to affiliated sites and exposing them to unwanted content. However, victims end up with a compromised browser. Thus, you should consider Search.hmyutilitybox.co removal as soon as it alters your default search engine.
A browser hijacker is not considered to be malware. Nevertheless, it is incredibly annoying to deal with because the program might perform the following changes to users’ systems:
- conceal the content of legitimate websites with a layer of pop-up ads, banners, deals, etc.
- convert random words into hyperlinks;
- install browser helper objects[2] without users’ permission;
- alter or/and add favorites/bookmarks;
- slowdown computer speed, etc.
The scariest part about using browser hijacker is that it can link victims to unknown and suspicious domains which can be potentially dangerous. Fake updates or programs, scam websites, illegal software, or even hacked websites can be a part of users’ experience. This can lead to malware installation or stolen money from a bank account.
Evidently, the best thing you can do is remove Search.hmyutilitybox.co from your machine. To do that safely, you can either employ a trusted security software such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner and MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or get rid of the PUP by checking our manual removal instructions below this article.
Whichever method you choose, please be hasty, as the longer this intruder stays on your device the more damage it could do. Once it's properly terminated, we highly advise using the FortectIntego system diagnostics tool to delete all tracking cookies stored by questionable sites and repair corrupted system files.
Be careful while installing bundled software
If you would go to Google Chrome or another web store and try to download one of these browser-hijacking extensions, you would notice that they are typically not popular and have just a few downloads in total. Research shows,[3] that users usually do not search for such extensions. Therefore, developers need to find a way to distribute it and make it more popular to earn money.
For that, they employ the bundling technique. It is a very popular adware, browser hijacker, and other PUP distribution method. As users typically do not pay attention to the installation process, skip steps, and never read the text in small writing; hence, they fail to see that they accepted the installation of additional applications.
Therefore, read Privacy Policy carefully and always select Custom/Advanced installation mode instead of Recommended/Quick one. The latter does not expose a full lineup of the programs about to be installed. Thus, in Advanced settings, deselect all tick marks by optimization tools, add-ons, toolbars, search engines, media players, and similar pointless software.
Remove Search.hmyutilitybox.co virus with ease
When this browser hijacker is installed on your device, you are lucky enough if you're only exposed to deceptive ads. However, in most cases, users will eventually end up with an incredibly compromised browser and malware on their PCs. Therefore, remove MyUtilityBox in a way that suits you best.
For regular users who are not highly experienced PC users, we suggest installing and scanning their machines with reputable security software. A proper AV tool will eliminate all the unwanted PUPs and their components with ease. Additionally, it will keep users safe in the future.
If you are acquainted with advanced computer operation and have spare time on your hands, you can pick manual myutilitybox removal. You can follow our instructions below. Remember, if you perform the procedure incorrectly, the infection could return.
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.
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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