AstrologySearcher Toolbar

What is hp.myway.com?

Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network (now known as IAC Applications), AstrologySearcher is a deceptive application that supposedly provides access to various astrology-related information.

On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) often infiltrates systems without consent. Furthermore, AstrologySearcher is categorized as a browser hijacker - a form of unwanted software that modifies web browser options without permission.

Following successful infiltration, AstrologySearcher hijacks web browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), stealthily assigning the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage options to hp.myway.com. Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them.

AstrologySearcher continues to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible (unless AstrologySearcher is eliminated). As a result, users continually encounter unwanted redirects to hp.myway.com, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Modification of browser settings is common to these applications, however, browser hijackers are also gather various information (mostly relating to browsing habits).

Although AstrologySearcher is not confirmed to track data, browser hijackers often collect IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, keystrokes, geo-locations, and other information that might contain personal details. Developers later sell this collected data to third parties, thereby putting your privacy at risk.

In addition, some PUPs are known to run unwanted processes (e.g., mining cryptocurrency) in the background, without users’ permission. By misusing resources in this manner, PUPs significantly diminish overall computer performance. For these reasons, browser-hijacking apps such as AstrologySearcher should be eliminated immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	AstrologySearcher browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Mindspark Interactive Network has released dozens of browser-hijacking applications identical to AstrologySearcher. For example, GifaPalooza, ConvertDocsOnline, TelevisionAce, and FormFetcherPro. Note that these apps offer different functionality, but have identical behavior.

Claims to enable 'useful functions' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of browser hijackers is to generate revenue for the developers. Most are useless for regular users. Rather than providing any real value, browser-hijacking programs pose a threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did AstrologySearcher install on my computer?

AstrologySearcher has an official download website, however, these programs are also distributed using 'malvertising' ads (pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.), and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, PUPs such as AstrologySearcher often infiltrate systems without users' consent.

Malvertising ads redirect to malicious websites and/or execute scripts that download and install malware/PUPs. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party software together with regular software/apps.

Developers conceal "bundled" programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. Many users click various ads and skip most download/installation steps, thereby exposing their systems to risk of various infections and putting their privacy at risk.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to computer safety is caution. It is very important to pay close attention when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Cyber criminals invest a great deal of resources into malicious ad design.

They often appear genuine, however, these ads are distinguishable for their redirects - most lead to survey, gambling, adult dating, and other doubtful websites. If you encounter such ads, uninstall all suspicious apps/browser extensions (some potentially unwanted programs display malicious ads).

Bear in mind that criminals monetize third party download/installation tools by promoting unwanted programs (the "bundling" method).

Therefore, your software should be downloaded from official sources only and, if possible, using a direct download link. When downloading/installing, carefully analyze each step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) and cancel all additionally-included programs.

Website promoting AstrologySearcher browser hijacker:

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is hp.myway.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall AstrologySearcher application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove AstrologySearcher browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

AstrologySearcher browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "AstrologySearcher Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

AstrologySearcher browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "myway".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the astrologysearcher browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "AstrologySearcher" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "Ask Web Search", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the astrologysearcher browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "AstrologySearcher", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "myway"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with astrologysearcher browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the astrologysearcher browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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