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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2020

How to remove Utilitool

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Julie Splinters · Anti-malware specialist

Utilitool – a browser hijacker that redirects to Yahoo while trying to enter its feed.utilitooltech.com fake search provider

Utilitool browser hijacker

Utilitool is described as a browser-hijacking product that provides search requests from Yahoo.com.[1] The PUP aims to modify web browser settings such as the default search provider, homepage, and new tab URL. Continuously, you can install Utilitool Chrome extension on the official Google Chrome Web Store. Even though this product can be downloaded legitimately and includes a nice description, it cannot be trusted as it might also come through a software bundle. Even though the browser hijacker[2] is advertised as a handy tool for entering news sources, typing search queries, and receiving other information, Utilitool virus is a useless product as it just takes you to a legitimate search engine while entering feed.utilitooltech.com. So, you can just use the Yahoo search engine instead of downloading this program and getting your web browser hijacked, experiencing intrusive advertising and redirecting sessions.

Name Utilitool
Type Browser hijacker
Category Potentially unwanted program
Search engine The browser hijacker uses the feed.utilitooltech.com search engine for hijacking the web browser which drops the user directly to yahoo.com
Downloading You can download and install the suspicious extension from the Google Chrome Web Store or you can get it unexpectedly bundled with freeware and shareware
Target(s) This potentially unwanted program is mostly found on Google Chrome but can also target other browser apps such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari
Elimination You can terminate the browser hijacker with the help of manual step-y-step guidelines or by purchasing trustworthy antimalware software
Fix tip If your system has experienced any alterings during the activity period of the browser hijacker, try reversing the changes with the help of FortectIntego

Multiple unwanted activities can be promoted by Utilitool. First of all, you will experience browser changes in its settings where you will receive the bogus extension that will be responsible for all the further tasks. Afterward, your browser might start struggling to deal with an excessive amount of advertisements.

Utilitool might provide you with irrelevant deals while you are browsing online and encourage you to purchase useless computer security products and services. As a result, you will spend your money on a useless product that you will regret later on. So, do not waste your money and deny all the offers that come from this third-party app.

Furthermore, advertising that comes from Utilitool might decrease your browsing quality as your sessions are likely to experience decreased speed and quality of browsing sessions. This happens because the browser hijacker starts eating up your computer's resources such as the power and energy of your CPU[3] and GPU.

In addition, Utilitool might force redirects to affiliate domains where you might meet additional offers or be spammed with more advertising content. However, sometimes, you might be taken to a location that is filled with malware. This way a dangerous parasite might end up on your computer system and cause severe damage.

Utilitool virus

Continuously, Utilitool could be able to collect non-personal information that is related to your web browser and online sessions. Such data often refers to recently visited websites, hyperlinks and adverts clicked, bookmarks saved, offers and deals searched, your web browser type, IP address, and geographic location.

Utilitool might collect such type of information to share it with other parties and receive income. However, this data can also be recorded due to the goal to get you involved in targeted advertising campaigns. Afterward, the developers can provide adverts that claim to suit your needs even if they are truly misleading.

To add, Utilitool might not come to the computer system allow. This browser hijacker can bring others of its kind or other potentially unwanted programs such as adware. This way your computer system will be overloaded by potentially unexpected cyber threats and your browser will experience a higher load of intrusive activities.

Spotting Utilitool randomly on your computer system signifies that your computer system is not protected at a good level or you have made mistakes somewhere in a software downloading process, etc. If you cannot recall installing this extension on your own, you should make sure that you secure your computer system with antimalware software properly.

However, first of all, you should remove Utilitool so it would not bother you anymore. This third-party app can be easily erased with automatical removal utilities, just pick a trustworthy program for the process. Also, if you have discovered any system alterings, you can try recovering the touched areas with the help of software such as FortectIntego.

Utilitool removal can also be performed with the help of manual guiding steps. Remember, that you will be responsible for cleaning both your operating system and web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or Safari from suspicious objects that were added by the adware program.

Utilitool

Browser hijackers get delivered in software bundles

Even though some potentially unwanted programs can infiltrate computer systems through official downloads on the Google Chrome Web Store, this is not the main way how the PUPs appear on a particular machine. According to Virusai.lt specialists,[4] browser hijackers are usually bundled with freeware and shareware.

This happens when the user is completing a download himself and misses some crucial downloading steps. Continuously, those who have set their installing configuration to “Recommend” have a much higher chance of receiving a potentially unwanted program than those who have already opted for the “Advanced” settings.

Furthermore, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted content can get delivered with PDF converters and download managers that users download from secondary websites such as download.com, cnet.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com. A piece of advice would be to get all of your products and services from reliable sources only.

In addition, some PUPs can come camouflaged as fake flash player updates or be injected into advertisements and hyperlinks. While you are browsing the Internet sphere, you have to be aware of questionable content that runs your way. Also, pay attention to the warnings that your antivirus program throws you.

Removal instructions for Utilitool extension

If you have been dealing with the browser hijacker lately and your web browsers have experienced unwanted changes, it is time for you to remove Utilitool permanently from your computer system and browser apps. 

Utilitool removal can be performed with the help of automatical software that is capable of detecting the PUP and eliminating all the additional products that were brought by the help of the browser hijacker. 

Also, you can uninstall Utilitool virus with the help of manual step-by-step instructions that have been added to the end of this writing. There you will learn how to get rid of unwanted apps from your OS and clean your web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari from bogus extensions.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from 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 Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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