Feed.utilitooltech.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is feed.utilitooltech.com?
Utilitool is a rogue application that supposedly helps users to find online tools (e.g., PDF converters). Its appearance suggests that Utilitool is legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) promotion of a fake search engine, and; 3) tracking of browsing activity.
Utilitool promotes the feed.utilitooltech.com search engine, which is fake. Immediately after infiltration, Utilitool hijacks the most popular browsers (usually, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) and assigns feed.utilitooltech.com as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage settings.
These changes may seem insignificant, but users are unable to revert them. Research shows that Utilitool continues to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, unless this unwanted application is uninstalled, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and users are forced to visit feed.utilitooltech.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.
In addition, after entering a search query into feed.utilitooltech.com, users are redirected to search.yahoo.com and end up searching via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine). This makes feed.utilitooltech.com useless and redundant.
As with most browser hijackers, Utilitool (and feed.utilitooltech.com) continually records information relating to browsing habits. IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other collected data often includes personal details that are shared third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information.
This type of information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues/identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the Utilitool browser hijacker and never return to feed.utilitooltech.com.
Name | Utilitool 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. |
There are many browser-hijacking applications that have similar characteristics to feed.utilitooltech.com (for example, ObtenezEmail, LokalesWetter, My Search Plus, etc.). Note that all offer "useful features", however, claims to provide these functions are often attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install. Most of these apps have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than enabling the functions promised, they cause unwanted redirects and gather information. In addition, some fake search engines feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads (coupons, banners, etc.). These typically lead to dubious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can result in various computer infections.
How did Utilitool install on my computer?
Utilitool has an official download website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, this browser hijacker often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.
Intrusive advertisements redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install unwanted apps or even high-risk malware. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party apps with regular software.
These apps are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush these processes and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Caution is the key to computer safety. Therefore, to prevent this situation, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and download/installing software. Remember that intrusive ads of seem legitimate, but most lead to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, and so on. They are typically delivered by adware-type applications.
If you encounter suspicious redirects, remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully study each download/installation step. Decline offers to install third party apps and deselect those already included.
We recommend that you download apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers should not be used, since developers often monetize them by promoting ("bundling") programs. If your computer is already infected with Utilitool, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Utilitool browser hijacker:
Deceptive pop-up ad promoting Utilitool browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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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 feed.utilitooltech.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Utilitool application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Utilitool browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Utilitool 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, "Utilitool"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the feed.utilitooltech.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Utilitool 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://feed.utilitooltech.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 "utilitool".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the utilitool 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 "Utilitool" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
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 (hxxp://www.feed.utilitooltech.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on 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 "feed.utilitooltech.com", 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 utilitool 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 on "Extensions" and remove "Utilitool", 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://feed.utilitooltech.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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with utilitool 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 utilitool 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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