Do you suspect a browser hijack has taken over your browser? Browser hijacks can be a real pain and should be removed as soon as you think you have been subjected to one. Depending on the type of browser hijack on your system, you may notice they change your browser’s behaviour, your browser setting changes without your consent and the appearance of your browser is different to what you remember it as.
The reason browser hijacks exist is to bring revenue to the person who has created the malicious software. Often they will collect your data, track your keys and place ads on your screen to entice you to click on them.
Browser Hijacks can take place on many different browsers. So how do you scan your Apple Mac for browser hijack? Below we look into the three popular browsers and how to remove browser hijacker.
How to scan and remove browser hijackers in Safari
Follow the instructions below to check and remove a browser hijack on the Safari web browser.
- Load up your Safari browser
- Select the main Safari menu and select preferences
- When loaded, click on the extensions tab
- Look through your extensions and see if there are any you do not know of.
- Any you do not know, remove.
- Select the General tab on the menu bar
- Change your homepage to your preferred page
- Finish by clicking the search tab in the top menu and correcting the search engine that you use.
How to scan and remove browser hijackers in Google Chrome
Follow the instructions below to check and remove a browser hijack on the Google Chrome web browser.
- Load up your Google Chrome browser
- Type in the following into the address bar chrome://extensions
- Look through your extensions and see if there are any you do not know of.
- Any you do not know, remove.
- Now type the following into your address bar: chrome://settings
- Select “on Startup” from the left hand menu
- Choose what you would like to see on the startup
- Now select “search engine” and choose your default search engine
How to scan and remove browser hijackers in Firefox
Follow the instructions below to check and remove a browser hijack on the Firefox web browser.
- Load up your Firefox browser
- Select “extensions” in the menu bar
- Look through your extensions and see if there are any you do not know of.
- Any you do not know, remove.
- Now go to about > preferences
- Select the homepage you would like when loading Firefox
- Choose your default search engine
If the above methods do not show that you have a browser hijack and remove it if you do. We would recommend using an antivirus protector as that should remove it completely. It will also help protect your Mac from any other types of malware.
Browser hijacks can be a real pain and should be removed as soon as you notice one has gotten on your system. When looking at how to remove browser hijackers, what is your preferred method? Do you use any of the three browsers above? Is there anything you would like to add that would benefit our readers? Let us know in the comment box below.
