Do you know what NoteHomepage Toolbar is?
If you have recently installed a browser extension called NoteHomepage Toolbar, then you should know that malware analysts have classified it as a potentially unwanted program which means that it is not malicious per se, but highly unreliable, so removing it is recommended. You might think that the features it offers are useful and unique, but this is just a façade because this program was created with the sole intention of carrying a shady search engine that replaces your default homepage address automatically.
NoteHomepage Toolbar might be a browser extension/toolbar but does not offer anything or real value. According to our malware analysts, its developers have set it up to feature various links in its toolbar. The theme of this toolbar is notes, so the toolbar features a service that provides users with the ability to write a reminder on a note. Nevertheless, this feature is not that useful and dedicating a whole program for this is rather odd. That is why this feature is only a front to hide NoteHomepage Toolbar’s true purpose.
It is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer and its real objective is to replace your browser’s homepage address with Search.myway.com. As NoteHomepage Toolbar itself, this search engine was created by Mindspark Interactive Network and it is one unreliable search engine that will not only provide you with a lousy search service but also show promotional links in its search results. These links are supplied by unknown entities that change from time to time, and we think that, at some point, it might feature links from sources that promote illegitimate, malicious content such as malware or scam websites such as fake online shopping sites. Note that Search.myway.com redirects all search queries to a modified Google search engine, but that does not mean that you will get superb search results as it is not the same as the regular Google.com search engine.
NoteHomepage Toolbar screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
As mentioned, both the search engine and this toolbar were created by Mindspark Interactive Network. This company is known for churning out toolbars like this, but it was silent for a month or so. It appears that this company is back once again and it continues to release dozens of new toolbars whose purpose is to replace your browser’s homepage with its features search engine. Among the many toolbars that have come from this company the most recent ones are MyFormsFinder Toolbar, DirectionsBuilder Toolbar, and SimplePictureEdit Toolbar. All of them work in a similar manner and are distributed in using the same channels as well.
You can get NoteHomepage Toolbar in particular from its main distribution website at Notehomepage.com. This site hosts its standalone installer for all supported web browsers. Note that you cannot download this toolbar unless you agree to replace the home page and new tab page addresses. The other distribution channel is malicious software installers. Researchers say that, like its counterparts, this new toolbar can come bundled with malicious software installers that can install it on your PC secretly and if that is the case, then you might want to uninstall it.
In closing, NoteHomepage Toolbar is one shady toolbar that offers nothing to improve your computing experience. Its true objective is to inject Search.myway.com into your browser, and that is it. The search results of this hijacker are still a matter of debate as they can feature promotional links to questionable websites. To be on the safe side of things, we suggest that you remove this toolbar and search engine using the guide provided below.
Uninstall from Control Panel (for Internet Explorer users)
Windows XP
- Open the Start menu.
- Click Control Panel and select Add or Remove Programs.
- Find the unwanted toolbar and click Remove.
Windows Vista/7
- Click Start and then click Control Panel.
- Then, go to Uninstall a program.
- Find the application and click Uninstall.
Windows 10/8.1/8
- Right-click the Start menu/Start screen.
- Select Programs and Features.
- Locate the application and right-click it.
- Click the Uninstall button.
Remove the toolbar from other browsers
Google Chrome
- Press Alt+F.
- Select More tools and click Extensions.
- Locate the toolbar and click Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Ctrl+Shift+A.
- Choose Extensions.
- Locate the toolbar.
- Click the Remove button.
In non-techie terms:
NoteHomepage Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program that was designed to replace your browser’s homepage and new tab page addresses in an effort to force you to use its featured search engine that can feature numerous promotional links of unverified legitimacy. It is promoted as a useful tool, but it certainly is not like that at all. So you should consider removing it to avoid unnecessary problems.