HoroscopeBuddy Toolbar
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network (also known as IAC Applications), HoroscopeBuddy is a deceptive application that supposedly provides daily horoscopes.
Judging on appearance alone, this app may seem legitimate and useful, however, HoroscopeBuddy often infiltrates systems without permission. In addition, it is categorized as a browser hijacker - a form of unwanted software that modifies web browser settings without users’ permission.
Immediately after infiltration, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily changing the new tab URL/homepage/default search engine settings by assigning them to hp.myway.com. These modifications may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.
HoroscopeBuddy continues to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states. HoroscopeBuddy is essentially used to deceptively build traffic for hp.myway.com - users are automatically redirected to this site when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.
These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. All browser-hijacking apps modify browser settings, however, they often carry out other unwanted functions. Although HoroscopeBuddy is not confirmed to record information, most PUPs collect IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, keystrokes, and other sensitive data, which is later sold to third parties.
Therefore, information tracking can result in serious privacy issues. In addition, some PUPs misuse system resources to stealthily run various unwanted processes (e.g., mine cryptocurrency). In doing so, they significantly diminish overall computer performance. We strongly advise you to uninstall all browser-hijacking applications immediately.
| Name | HoroscopeBuddy 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. |
Minsdpark Interactive Network has released dozens of browser-hijacking applications identical to HoroscopeBuddy. For example, ConvertersNow, BetterCareerSearch, AstrologySearcher, and GifsGalore. Although these apps offer different functionality, all have identical behavior.
Browser hijackers such as HoroscopeBuddy are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Most are useless for regular users - claims to provide useful features are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, browser hijackers cause unwanted redirects and gather various information, thereby posing a threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did HoroscopeBuddy install on my computer?
Although HoroscopeBuddy has an official download website, it often infiltrates systems without users' consent. There are two reasons for this: 1) lack of knowledge, and; 2) careless behavior.
Browser hijackers such as HoroscopeBuddy are often distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and various 'malvertising' ads (pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.) "Bundling" is stealth installation of unwanted software together with regular (mostly free) apps.
Developers conceal "bundled" apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.
Malvertising ads lead to malicious websites and, in some cases, execute scripts that download and install malware/PUPs. Many users rush the download/installation processes and click ads without thinking of the consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that criminals invest a great deal of time and effort into designing malicious ads.
Therefore, most appear genuine, however, these ads are distinguishable for their redirects - most lead to rogue websites (e.g., adult dating, pornography, gambling, survey, etc.) They are typically generated by malicious apps. Therefore, if you encounter 'malvertising' ads, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser extensions.
Furthermore, never use any third party downloaders/installers, since they are monetized using the "bundling" method (criminals promote malicious apps). We advise you to download software from official sources only. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogues and opt-out of all third party programs. The key to computer safety is caution.
Website promoting HoroscopeBuddy browser hijacker:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HoroscopeBuddy application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove HoroscopeBuddy 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.
HoroscopeBuddy 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, "HoroscopeBuddy 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.
HoroscopeBuddy 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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the horoscopebuddy 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 "HoroscopeBuddy" 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 horoscopebuddy 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 "HoroscopeBuddy", 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 horoscopebuddy 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 horoscopebuddy 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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