How to Remove Browser Hijackers and Restore Your Homepage

What Is a Browser Hijacker?

You open your browser and instead of your usual homepage, you see an unfamiliar search engine you've never heard of. You try to search for something, and your queries go through a strange site filled with ads. You didn't change anything—so what happened?

You've likely been hit by a browser hijacker, a type of malware that modifies your browser settings without permission. Browser hijackers typically change your homepage, default search engine, and new tab page to redirect your web traffic through sites that generate advertising revenue for the attackers. While annoying, most browser hijackers can be removed relatively easily.

Quick Fix: Reset Browser Settings

The fastest way to remove a browser hijacker is to reset your browser to its default settings:

For Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner
2. Select "Settings"
3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Reset settings" (or "Reset and cleanup")
4. Click "Restore settings to their original defaults"
5. Click "Reset settings" to confirm

For Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the three lines in the top-right corner
2. Select "Help" > "More troubleshooting information"
3. Click "Refresh Firefox"
4. Confirm by clicking "Refresh Firefox" again

This will disable extensions, clear temporary data, and restore your homepage and search engine. Your bookmarks and passwords will be preserved. After resetting, check if the hijacker is gone.

Signs Your Browser Has Been Hijacked

Browser hijacking shows several telltale symptoms:

• Changed homepage - Your browser opens to an unfamiliar search engine or website
• Different default search engine - Searches go through an unknown search provider
• New toolbars - Unauthorized toolbars appear at the top of your browser
• Redirects - Clicking links takes you to unexpected websites
• Excessive pop-up ads - Ads appear even on sites that normally don't have them
• Slow performance - Your browser runs noticeably slower due to background processes
• Can't change settings back - Settings revert to hijacked versions when you try to fix them

Complete Removal Steps

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Browser hijackers often come bundled with free software. Check your installed programs for anything unfamiliar:

1. Press Windows key and type "Add or remove programs" or go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
2. Sort by "Install date" to see recently added programs
3. Look for programs you don't remember installing, especially ones installed around the time the hijacking started
4. Click suspicious programs and select "Uninstall"
5. Follow the uninstall wizard, being careful to decline any offers to keep components or install other software

Common hijacker-related program names include anything with "search," "toolbar," "helper," or unfamiliar company names. When in doubt, search the program name online to see if it's legitimate.

Step 2: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions

Hijackers frequently install browser extensions to maintain control:

1. Open your browser's extension management page:
   • Chrome/Edge: Type chrome://extensions or edge://extensions in the address bar
   • Firefox: Click menu > Add-ons and themes
2. Review each installed extension carefully
3. Remove any extensions you don't recognize or didn't intentionally install
4. Look for extensions with vague names, no ratings, or suspicious permissions
5. Click "Remove" for each unwanted extension

Some hijackers make extensions difficult to remove. If you see "Managed by your organization" or can't remove an extension, you may need to clean the registry (see advanced steps below).

Step 3: Clear Browsing Data

Remove traces of the hijacker from your browser cache:

1. In browser settings, find "Privacy and security" or similar
2. Click "Clear browsing data"
3. Select these items:
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
   • Hosted app data (if available)
4. Choose "All time" as the time range
5. Click "Clear data" or "Clear now"

Step 4: Manually Check and Fix Browser Settings

After resetting, verify these specific settings:

Homepage:

1. In Settings, go to "On startup" or "Appearance"
2. Set your preferred homepage or select "Open the New Tab page"
3. Remove any unfamiliar URLs from the startup pages list

Search Engine:

1. In Settings, find "Search engine" or "Search and address bar"
2. Set your preferred search engine (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.)
3. Click "Manage search engines" and remove any unfamiliar ones

New Tab Page:

1. Check if the new tab page setting has been changed
2. Reset it to default or your preference

Step 5: Scan with Antivirus and Anti-Malware

Use security software to catch any remaining hijacker components:

1. Run Windows Defender:
   • Open Windows Security from the Start menu
   • Go to Virus & threat protection
   • Run a Quick scan or Full scan
2. Use Malwarebytes (recommended):
   • Download the free version from malwarebytes.com
   • Install and run a full scan
   • Malwarebytes specializes in detecting browser hijackers and adware
   • Quarantine or remove any threats found

Advanced: Remove Hijacker Policies

Some persistent hijackers use Windows policies to enforce their settings. If settings keep reverting:

1. Press Windows + R and type gpedit.msc (Note: only available in Windows Pro and above)
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge (or Internet Explorer)
3. Look for any policies that are "Enabled" that you didn't set
4. Set suspicious policies to "Not Configured"

Alternatively, check the registry (advanced users only):

1. Press Windows + R and type regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
3. Look for entries related to homepage, search engine, or extensions
4. Right-click and delete suspicious entries (be careful—only delete entries you recognize as malicious)

If the Hijacker Won't Go Away

For stubborn browser hijackers:

• Try a specialized removal tool - Download AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes, which specifically targets adware and hijackers
• Create a new browser profile - Sometimes creating a fresh user profile is easier than cleaning a corrupted one
• Check startup programs - Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, go to the Startup tab, and disable any suspicious programs
• Scan in Safe Mode - Restart in Safe Mode (Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup) and run scans when fewer programs are running
• Consider a clean Windows install - For severe infections, reinstalling Windows may be the fastest solution

Prevention Tips

Avoid browser hijackers in the future:

• Only download software from official websites or the Microsoft Store
• During software installation, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" installation and uncheck any bundled offers
• Keep your browser and Windows updated
• Use a reputable antivirus with real-time protection
• Be cautious clicking ads or download buttons on free software sites
• Don't grant unnecessary permissions to browser extensions