Do you know what Anytimeastrology is?
Anytimeastrology is a toolbar that is classified as a potentially unwanted program (hereafter, identified as a PUP). At the moment, it is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browsers. On Internet Explorer, the extension is installed as an application whose uninstaller is available via Control Panel. On Chrome and Firefox, it operates as a normal extension. When installing it on IE and Firefox, the users are asked to confirm their agreement to Homepage and New Tab modifications, whereas Chrome users are asked to agree with such activity as the collection of browsing history and the management of downloads and extensions. As you can see, the suspicious toolbar works differently depending on which browser you operate. All in all, regardless of the browser, you need to consider removing Anytimeastrology. If you have already made that decision, you can delete the PUP using the instructions available below. If you still want to learn more, keep reading.
Have you downloaded the PUP from its official source, anytimeastrology.com (for Google Chrome users from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/anytimeastrology/bdcnkkhncapfcngcjkmfkikanomkgnmb)? If that is the case, other infections might not exist on your PC. Now, if the extension was offered along third-party software, you might have interacted with an unreliable installer or a software bundle. In this case, malware could be active, even if you do not notice it. Our research team strongly suggests using a malware scanner to inspect the operating system. The same suggestion applies to those who installed TelevisionAce Toolbar, OnlineWorkSuite Toolbar, DirectionsOnline, and other add-ons created by Mindspark Interactive Network. Our recommendation for these users is to find guides that are discussing these particular threats on their own. Of course, they all function in the same ways, and we recommend deleting them for the same reasons. For one, they do not offer highly useful services. While Anytimeastrology is meant to provide you with daily horoscopes, it promotes the service of Horoscope.com, and so you could just add this site to your bookmarks’ bar for easy access.
Anytimeastrology screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
While Anytimeastrology Toolbar is not exactly beneficial, that is not why our research team advises deleting it. This suspicious extension promotes search.myway.com, a search engine that is the core of every toolbar developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. This search tool is not reliable because it displays modified Google search engine results. Although Anytimeastrology does not redirect searches to google.com/search – which is something that more aggressive hijackers can do – the results are taken, and the “enhanced by Google” logo is attached to them. That makes the search tool look beneficial, but the thing is that it can showcase sponsored links that belong to mysterious parties. These parties could have malicious intentions, and they could exploit the toolbar to showcase misleading links. Due to this, you need to consider removing this potentially unwanted program.
If you want to get rid of the MyWay search tool, you need to delete Anytimeastrology as well because the toolbar does not exist without the search tool itself. Luckily, this is not malware, and it does not conceal itself, which means that removing it is not problematic. There are several ways in which you can get rid of this undesirable software manually, and the guide below proposes one option. Hopefully, you will be able to get rid of the tool all by yourself. Of course, if third-party malware or PUPs were installed along with the suspicious toolbar, it might be a good idea for you to install anti-malware software that could erase all threats simultaneously and automatically. The latter option is ideal if your operating system lacks reliable protection, which, of course, trusted anti-malware software can produce.
Remove Anytimeastrology
Google Chrome
- Simultaneously tap Win+E to launch Windows Explorer.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ into the bar at the top.
- Open the {unique name} folder representing your Chrome Profile. In cases when profiles do not exist, users need to open the folder named Default.
- Open the folder named Extensions.
- Right-click and Delete the folder named bdcnkkhncapfcngcjkmfkikanomkgnmb.
- Go back, open the folder named Local Extension Settings, and then repeat step 5.
- Go back, open the folder named Sync Extension Settings, and then repeat step 5.
Mozilla Firefox
- Simultaneously tap Win+E to launch Windows Explorer.
- Enter %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the bar at the top.
- Open the {unique name} folder representing your Firefox Profile.
- Open the folder named extensions.
- Right-click and Delete the file named _oxMembers_@free.anytimeastrology.co.
- Go back and Delete the folder named anytimeastrology_ox.
- Open the file named prefs.js (use any text reader).
- Overwrite the hijacker’s URLs represented within the file and then save it before closing.
Windows XP (Internet Explorer)
- Click the Start menu button on the Taskbar.
- Open the Control Panel menu and then go to Add or Remove Programs.
- Remove the app named AnytimeAstrology Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab.
Windows Vista/Windows 7 (Internet Explorer)
- Click the Windows logo on the left of the Taskbar.
- Open the Control Panel menu and then navigate to Uninstall a program.
- Right-click and Uninstall the app named AnytimeAstrology Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab.
Windows 8/Windows 10 (Internet Explorer)
- Launch RUN by simultaneously tapping keys Win+R on the keyboard.
- Enter Control Panel into the dialog box to open the menu and then move to Uninstall a program.
- Right-click and Uninstall the app named AnytimeAstrology Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab.
In non-techie terms:
If you downloaded Anytimeastrology hoping that it would offer something incredibly useful, you might have been disappointed by the reality. Even if you enjoy the services of this suspicious potentially unwanted program, you cannot ignore the fact that it pushes you to use an unreliable search tool and that unknown third parties can promote their own unpredictable links using it. We strongly recommend removing Anytimeastrology toolbar from browsers, and the guide available above shows how to do it in a few simple steps. In many cases, the suspicious PUP comes bundled with third-party software (not when the official installer is used), and if this software is malicious, you need to eliminate it as well. We advise employing anti-malware software because it can erase all threats automatically.