Do you know what Browserhunt.com is?
The research shows that users could encounter Browserhunt.com while clicking malicious pop-ups. If you do not know much about adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUP), you may be surprised to learn that such unreliable software could have shown the pop-ups promoting this search engine. Apparently, this signals that it is time to clean the system and get rid of possible threats, which you may have downloaded over time. Browserhunt.com itself is classified as a browser hijacker because it can modify default preferences, for example, new tab page, search engine, or homepage. Also, the application itself might display annoying and possibly harmful third-party advertisements. Because of this, we recommend erasing the software from the system. It is not a simple program that you could uninstall via Control Panel, but you can use the removal guide below this article.
Our researchers who tested Browserhunt.com say that it should be compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. The application could hijack these browsers after clicking malicious pop-up ads or after installing the software that is promoted on such advertisements. As we explained earlier, these pop-up might be generated by adware, PUPs, and other unreliable programs. Therefore, users should check their system and eliminate possible threats to secure the computer. You could see what you have installed over time and search for more information about each piece of software on the Internet. However, it would be easier to get a reputable security tool. With such tool, the user could do a full system scan and delete all detections together afterward.
Browserhunt.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The application should not even place a single file on the system. It would seem that it settles in by modifying particular data. To be more precise, it could alter some files of your default browser. To give you an example, if your default browser would be Internet Explorer, the application should target a particular key from the Windows Registry. This key is called “Main” and it contains a value name titled as “Start page.” As you probably already guessed from the title, the value data of this “Start Page” is important because it sets your default homepage. It is located in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main directory. If you have not removed the hijacker yet, value data of the “Start page” should contain this link http://Browserhunt.com.
The whole point of hijacking the browser is to set Browserhunt.com as your homepage. It is important to warn users that this search engine could show third-party advertising. Such ads might be dangerous as they may lead you to web pages with malicious content. For example, the site could be created to distribute ransomware, Trojans, and other malware. It is also possible that some of the websites could invade user’s privacy by gathering sensitive information. Clearly, it would be safer to use a more reliable search engine. If you could not agree more with us, we advise you to eliminate the threat immediately.
Even though deleting the browser hijacker is not as easy as uninstalling a program via Control Panel, we can offer you a couple of methods. The first one is to erase it manually by following the removal guide located below this text. Simply, choose the steps that would be suitable for your browser and carefully complete them one by one. The second method is to get rid of Browserhunt.com automatically with a reliable security tool. Install it on the computer and do a full system scan. When the report shows up, you can press the deletion button, and the application will be removed together with other possible detections.
Eliminate Browserhunt.com
Internet Explorer
- Press Windows Key+R.
- Type regedit and click the Enter button.
- Find this location: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Look for a value name titled as Start Page.
- Right-Click the Start Page and choose Modify.
- Instead of http://Browserhunt.com, type an URL address of a website you prefer.
- Select OK.
Mozilla Firefox
- Pres Windows Key+E to launch the Explorer.
- Navigate to this path C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
- Search for a file called Prefs.js and open it as a Notepad document.
- Locate this line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://Browserhunt.com”).
- Instead of http://Browserhunt.com, type any other URL address.
- Save the document and close it.
Google Chrome
- Open the Explorer.
- Navigate to: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Locate and erase these files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
In non-techie terms:
Browserhunt.com is categorized as a browser hijacker as it mainly affects user's default browser. It might replace usual homepage, new tab page, or search engine. Since it does so while modifying particular data on the system, it might be difficult to change these preferences without eliminating the software. Also, you should be aware that the program could display suspicious ads with the results and to keep your system protected it is better to stay away from such content. The good news is that you can get rid of it either manually with the removal guide above or automatically with a preferred security tool.