How to remove software causing redirects to the uc123.com site
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of website is uc123.com?
Uc123.com is one of many fake search engines that is promoted as legitimate search engine and supposedly provides users with an enhanced browsing experience, more accurate search results, and allows access to other sites directly from the search engine.
This may seem to be a legitimate search engine, however, it is promoted by a browser hijacker called UC Browser (also known as UC web accelerator). Both uc123.com and the UC Browser browser hijacker gather data relating to users' browsing habits/activity.
How do browser hijackers promote uc123.com?
This browser hijacker and its associated fake search engine target the most popular browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.). Once a web browser is affected, the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings are changed to uc123.com.
Furthermore, the UC Browser browser hijacker appends the uc123.com URL to the target of affected web browser shortcuts. Therefore, users are forced to visit uc123.com when they open a new tab within a browser, or open the browser itself. Users cannot undo these changes, at least not the usual way, is since "helper objects" are often installed with browser hijackers.
These applications prevent users from reverting the changes made (they are changed back when users try to modify them). In addition, these apps usually gather data such as IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, URLs of visited websites and various other information that might contain personal or sensitive details.
This information is shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. These actions can lead to privacy or browsing safety issues, and some users might even have their identities stolen.
If you experience any of these problems, we strongly advise you to remove all suspicious/unknown applications from your browser immediately and do not visit uc123.com.
Name | UC Browser browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 47.246.20.184 |
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. |
Fake search engine examples
The internet is full of fake search engines (such as search.searchttab.com, go.querymo.com, search.gg, etc,) that are promoted as 'useful', supposedly due to improved search results and so on. These are merely attempts by developers to give the impression of legitimacy.
Fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for their developers and third parties. They provide no real value for regular users, since most only cause unwanted redirects and collect data.
How did uc123.com install on my computer?
As with many other dubious sites, uc123.com is promoted using rogue download or installation set-ups (i.e., using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling"). Bundling is used to trick users into installing or downloading PUAs without their knowledge.
Various browser hijackers or other potentially unwanted applications are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes.
Software developers do not disclose information about bundled apps properly, and thus many users install them without noticing their presence or because they skip installation steps without checking. This exposes their systems to risks of various infections and poses a direct threat to their online privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications, download and install software with care. Do not download software from unofficial/untrustworthy websites, using torrent clients, or third party installers/downloaders. You are strongly advised to use official sources and direct links only.
Never rush the installation process - check "Custom", "Advanced" settings and deselect any potentially unwanted apps. Bear in mind that most intrusive ads seem legitimate, since developers (potentially, cyber criminals) invest resources into their design, however, some redirect to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on.
These advertisements are delivered by adware-type applications. If you encounter redirects to untrustworthy or suspicious websites, check for unwanted/unknown applications (plug-ins, extensions, and add-ons) installed on your browser and uninstall them immediately.
The same applies to the programs installed on your operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Screenshot of UC Browser deceptive app causing redirects to uc123.com:
Screenshot of a third party installer promoting the UC Browser (UC web accelerator) app:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is uc123.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove uc123.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove uc123.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove uc123.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove uc123.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
uc123.com redirect 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 potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes browser redirects to the uc123.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
uc123.com homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser hijackers:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Remove uc123.com-related Internet Explorer add-ons:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select such entries and click "Remove".
Fix Internet Explorer shortcut target:
This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Internet Explorer shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate the text (hxxp://www.uc123.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://www.uc123.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open every time you launch 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, then remove "uc123.com".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the uc browser 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:
Remove uc123.com-related Google Chrome extensions:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Fix Google Chrome shortcut target:
This browser hijacker modifies the "Target" field of the Google Chrome shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate the text (hxxp://www.uc123.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
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.uc123.com) below the ìOpen a specific or set of pagesî option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select ìRemoveî.
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 "uc123.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 uc browser 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:
Remove uc123.com-related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Fix Mozilla Firefox shortcut target:
This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Mozilla Firefox shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate the text (hxxp://www.uc123.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
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://www.uc123.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change 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: "uc123.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with uc browser 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 uc browser 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit uc123.com website?
Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to webpages like uc123.com.
Is visiting uc123.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like uc123.com typically gather (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are most commonly distributed via deceptive promotional pages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be a perfect solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the device. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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