Thecouponstore.co – a browser hijacker that offers nothing but trouble

Thecouponstore.co virus can start bothering you daily if you accidentally agree to install a particular browser extension[1]. In this case, it's called The Coupon Store, and it asks for the user’s permission to read and change all the data on the websites that the user visits.
Once installed, the extension starts controlling the “On Startup > Open the New Tab page” setting and changes the default homepage and new tab page to Thecouponstore.co. This domain provides a search engine, which looks completely safe to use.
However, if it replaced your previous homepage without your knowledge, better get rid of it as soon as possible. Untrustworthy search engines could lead to questionable sites resulting in privacy issues or worse. This article contains removal instructions and a summary of the threat.
| name | Thecouponstore.co virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP |
| Associated extensions | The Coupon Store |
| Symptoms | Modified browser settings (new tab, search engine, homepage) that lead to questionable sites and show search results filled with ads |
| Risks | Privacy issues, additional PUP installation, malware infections |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
| Elimination | Remove the browser intruder with reputable security software or with our detailed removal instructions posted at the bottom |
| System health | Delete tracking cookies and take care of system errors by using the FortectIntego PC repair tool |
We do not recommend using suspicious search engines that appear in your browser right after installing a particular program to your computer. It can sneak into the PC along with free programs such as download managers, games, or other applications that agree to bundle[2] it alongside them.
Such applications as TheCouponStore collect certain information from the user, including operating system details, IP address, and browsing-related information such as your search queries and list of websites you visit on a daily basis. You can never know how such information will be used.
We know that this company uses it for market analysis and might provide you with targeted search results and ads. However, if you are not the only one who uses the computer, you might not want others to see ads based on your interests. Besides, all of these ads point to external websites that are not under The Coupon Store’s control.
These can be dangerous, for example, provide suspicious surveys[3] that ask to enter sensitive information, suggest installing “necessary” software, or simply try to trick you into visiting another dangerous website[4] by providing deceptive ads or links.
Therefore, we believe that it is better to remove Thecouponstore.co as quickly as possible and use a different search tool. For the removal, we suggest using either SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Either of these AV engines will remove all threats within minutes. Afterward, a system tune-up with FortectIntego is in order to keep the device running smoothly.
How do potentially unwanted programs get into a computer without the user’s knowledge?
You can download this software from its official web page, although in the majority of cases, users install it without realizing it. If you do not want to agree to install potentially unwanted programs without getting an explicit notification about their existence, better act carefully when you download new programs to your computer.
Free programs tend to suggest installing third-party products alongside them, and if you do not want that to happen, you have to modify installation settings in a certain way. Usually, software installers offer “Default,” “Standard,” or “Basic” settings by default.
Do not trust these! Instead, switch the selection to “Custom” or “Advanced” one and decompose the software bundle according to your needs. We recommend you opt out of all suggested programs because computer software that is promoted in such a way usually appears to be untrustworthy.
How can I remove Thecouponstore. co safely?
If you no longer want to allow this hijacker to control your browser’s settings, you should get rid of it – the sooner, the better. Unfamiliar and unwanted programs can pose a threat to your PC[5] and your privacy. In this case, the intruder implements unacceptable activities such as arbitrary modification of your browser settings and attempts to coerce you to use a particular search engine.
To remove Thecouponstore.co virus, we highly recommend using professional anti-malware tools, although you can also efficiently remove it manually (it takes more time and patience to do so). For manual removal, follow instructions provided by our support team and ask us any questions that come into your head when reading them.
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.

Did this guide help?
4 comments
Isabelle
I accidentally installed this hijacker, but now it is gone, thanks to you! Really great instructions:)
Leonaz
Thecouponstore.co does not go away! My antivirus doesnt detect it, does anyone know whats the problem here?
omar
I didnt want Coupon Store to change my homepage! I just wanted the coupons!
Bradley23
Cant trust freeware these days. All sneaky and stuff!