Search.hplayfreemusic.co – a PUP that causes redirects to shady websites

Search.hplayfreemusic.co is a fake search engine created by Polarity Technologies. This Yahoo-based search tool spreads in software bundles as Play Free Music extension and might hijack web browsers after careless installation of freeware. Due to its operation peculiarities, this application is known as a browser hijacker.[1]
This infection aims to take control over the targeted web browser and control user’s browsing habits by changing the startup page and default search engine. The website's main page includes quick access to social media websites and music-themed sites, such as Spotify. Thus, it might seem like a legit tool.
Another feature that might let people believe that they can trust Search.hplayfreemusic.co is that it redirects search queries to Yahoo. However, the hijacker can redirect users to third-party websites that might promote questionable software, services, or involvement in cybercrime.[2]
| name | Search.hplayfreemusic.co |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP, redirect virus |
| Symptoms of infection | Altered browser settings; search results are filled with ads and are displayed from a different source; redirects to dubious websites |
| Risks | Privacy issues, financial losses, malware infections |
| Associated extension | Play Free Music |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
| Elimination | Remove the intruder with proper security software |
| System health | Repair virus damage by running system diagnotics with the FortectIntego tool |
Security experts warn about potentially dangerous Search.hplayfreemusic.co redirect tendencies. Cybercriminals and scammers might exploit the hijacker for their shady purposes. Thus, using this tool and keeping the extension installed might increase your chances to suffer from malware attacks or encounter privacy-related problems.
Talking about privacy, it’s important to mention that some worrying details are provided in the article's culprit's Privacy Policy as well. The program might collect both – personal and non-personally identifiable information. What is worse, it might share aggregated data with third parties, including advertising networks.
No one can guarantee that some of the personal information won’t be shared or sold to criminals. Therefore, you should protect your privacy by uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) from the computer. You can remove Search.hplayfreemusic.co either manually or automatically.
A manual elimination guide is given at the end of the article. However, automatic removal is quicker and simpler. All you need to do is to scan the system with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another reliable anti-malware software and it will do the dirty work for you.
Once the browser hijacker is removed, download and run system diagnostics with the FortectIntego tool to repair all altered system settings that might lead to various system failures if left unattended.

Avoid PUPs by being attentive when installing new software
The Search.hplayfreemusic.co hijack is most likely to occur when users download Play Free Music extension. However, you won’t be able to download it simply. This browser add-on is promoted in software packages. Thus, when you install freeware or shareware using Advanced/Custom setup, you might find it offered to download as well.
Unfortunately, the majority of users rely on Quick/Recommended settings that do not include this feature. If you use this installation wizard, you always risk installing a bunch of unwanted applications that cause numerous problems. Thus, you should get rid of this bad habit.
Security experts from No Virus[3] remind these simple security tips that you should follow when installing new programs:
- Opt for Advanced/Custom installation.
- Read EULA, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
- Unmark pre-selected programs.
- Remove ticks from agreements to change your default search engine.
Guidelines to remove Search.hplayfreemusic.co
If you want to remove Search.hplayfreemusic.co manually, you should carefully follow the instructions below. You will have to uninstall suspicious programs, add-ons, and files that might be related to the browser hijacker.
However, if instructions seem complicated or time-consuming, you should opt for automatic removal. This method requires scanning the system with a reputable anti-malware tool and letting it delete suspicious components. After the scan, reset each of your browsers and continue browsing the web safer.
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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