How to remove Style Flex browser hijacker

Style Flex browser hijacker can change the main settings, and cause ad spam, putting user privacy in danger

Style Flex is a browser hijacker that can change the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. It can also cause an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects. However, it is promoted as a tool that can change webpage content alignment.

The promised functions do not exist. Instead, the main purpose of the extension is to collect revenue from pay-per-click advertising and user data. The app forces people to browse only through selected channels, which raises many user privacy and security concerns.

Additionally, crooks may be using rogue advertising networks^[1] that place ads leading to dangerous websites. People can end up on scam pages that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[2] and malware.

Distribution methods

Bogus browser extensions are usually spread through unsafe file downloader pages. However, crooks also sometimes create separate “official” websites meant to promote the add-ons. There, they boast about all the amazing functions that do not exist and try to convince people to download the extension themselves.

We recommend only using official web stores. Apps that get listed there, go through an extensive review process. However, some fake apps, including the Style Flex browser hijacker manage to slip through the cracks. That is why you should always do your research with no exceptions.

Read the reviews, look at the ratings and the number of users. It is best to choose applications that have plenty of positive reviews, and thousands of users. Also, read the descriptions fully as fraudsters often make spelling and grammar mistakes.

Start the removal via browser settings

You should first try to locate the extension responsible for the changes in your browser settings and move on to the next step:

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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

MS Edge:

1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
• Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Mozilla Firefox

• 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 plugin and click Remove.

Safari

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Clear cookies and cache

If you add an untrustworthy app to your browser, there could be a number of negative consequences besides unwanted ads and redirects. Plugins can track your browsing activities, like the websites you visit, links you click on, purchases you make with the help of cookies.^[3] This data can later be sold to advertising networks that use it to target you with ads even more. 

It is essential to clear cookies and cache regularly and there is an automatic solution to that. FortectIntego is a great maintenance tool that can clear your browsers and optimize the machine. It will also fix any damage, like system errors, registry issues, and corrupted files which is especially helpful after virus infections.

Check your system for adware

If you removed the Style Flex browser hijacker from your extensions list but you still experience unpleasant symptoms like redirects to questionable pages and pop-ups, there might be adware^[4] hiding in your system. These kinds of programs usually get into the system unnoticed and perform various tasks in the background, like generating ads.

The most common way PUAs get into peoples' systems is through software bundling. Those who bundle in untrustworthy programs in the installers the most are freeware^[5] distribution sites. Because they do not earn any revenue from giving software for free, they include additional programs.

These programs are often different kinds of PUPs that monetize user behavior. Once they get into the system they are difficult to identify because they are often disguised as handy tools that you would not even suspect. It could look like a system optimizer, antivirus software, photo, and video editing software, etc.

That is why we suggest using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes professional security tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If you know which program is at fault, and want to remove it manually, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows 10/8:

1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
6. Wait till the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

Windows 7/XP:

1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are a Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Mac:

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.