How to remove Hao123 browser plugin?

The Hao123 search hijacker is an illustration of a typical unwanted program; such applications are distributed massively these days. On this page you will see the precise information of “Hao123” hijacker removal in various ways: making use of anti-malware programs and also hand-operated elimination technique.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Hao123 manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. I recommend you to download GridinSoft Anti-Malware for threats removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.

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Hao123 – What is it?

“Hao123” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some precise details, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any type of video, et cetera.

However, the “Hao123” plugin is fairly pointless due to the fact that all such functions are currently built-in to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is spread together with free apps.

Hao123 Search Hijacker

Here is a summary for the Hao123 hijacker

How harmful is Hao123 hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Hao123 hijacker is additionally pretty hazardous for web browser utilization. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Hao123.com, and additionally changes your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).

Apart from visual alterations done by Hao123 hijacker, you might observe that some of your search questions are redirecting to the unknown web pages, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can include web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are much more bothersome than really dangerous. The major danger, primarily for individuals who have a great deal of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are simply collected by Hao123 hijacker.

How to remove Hao123 search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are typically pretty very easy to delete. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be located in the list of installed apps. Due to the certain distribution way of Hao123 hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got Hao123 in the package with a free program, your system may be infected with much more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware tools to deal with the Hao123 PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and eliminating various malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, major malware, that may be present on your PC in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such scenarios, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Hao123 hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :



2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :



2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

If you use Google Chrome

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :



2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :



3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

Opera can be reset in the next way

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :



2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender