nJoyMovies Search Plus Browser Hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is movix.searchalgo.com?
The nJoyMovies Search Plus browser hijacker is promoted as an app/tool that provides an easier and faster browsing experience.
The developers offers easy access to various movie-related websites, however, nJoyMovies is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker that collects browsing-related data and modifies settings. nJoyMovies Search Plus also promotes a fake search engine (movix.searchalgo.com).
The nJoyMovies Search Plus app is capable of hijacking browsers (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer) and assigning the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings to movix.searchalgo.com. Thus, users who have this app installed on their browsers are forced to visit this fake search engine when they open browsers or new tabs.
Furthermore, nJoyMovies Search Plus prevent users from undoing these changes - it reassigns setttings when attempts are made to revert them. The movix.searchalgo.com search engine is useless, since once a search query is entered, it redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate Yahoo search engine). Therefore, it does not generate unique search results.
Additionally, the movix.searchalgo.com search engine and the nJoyMovies Search Plus browser hijacker record data relating to users' browsing activities, including IP addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, etc. Personal details might also be recorded. The data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
Thus, having potentially apps installed and using fake search engines can lead to privacy/browsing safety issues, and in some cases, identity theft. We recommend that you uninstall nJoyMovies Search Plus and all other unwanted apps immediately.
Name | nJoyMovies Search Plus potentially unwanted application |
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. |
Examples of other browser hijackers similar to nJoyMovies Search Plus include mixSportTV Search Plus, iGames Search, and MovieCharm. Developers promote these apps as useful tools with various features, however, these are often just attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
Typically, they gather data and cause unwanted redirects, whilst users receive nothing in return. These apps (or fake search engines) provide none of the functionality promised or any other value.
How did nJoyMovies Search Plus install on my computer?
The nJoyMovies Search Plus browser hijacker is promoted using its official website, where this and other apps can be downloaded, however, users often install potentially unwanted apps inadvertently.
They are tricked into download/installation when users click untrustworthy ads or when software developers use "bundling", a deceptive marketing method used to trick users into installing/downloading unwanted apps together with other software. Developers achieve this by hiding PUAs in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar sections of the download/installation set-ups.
Despite this, users are usually responsible for these problems - many skip installation/download steps and leave settings unchanged, thus causing inadvertent installations and downloads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To avoid unwanted, unintentional installations/downloads, download software using official and trustworthy websites/sources. Avoid third party installers or downloaders, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, unofficial or dubious websites, and so on. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of download/installation setups.
Decline offers to install unwanted applications/software and only then finish the installation (or download) process. Many intrusive advertisements redirect users to deceptive or untrustworthy websites. Furthermore, these ads might appear due to PUAs installed on the browser or operating system.
If you continually encounter ads that redirect you to adult dating, gambling, pornography, or other websites of this type, check the list of installed apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) on your browser and eliminate all unwanted/unknown entries. The same applies to the programs installed on your operating system.
If your computer is already infected with nJoyMovies Search Plus, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting nJoyMovies Search Plus browser hijacker:
Screenshot of a nJoyMovies Search Plus app:
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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Quick menu:
- What is movix.searchalgo.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall nJoyMovies Search Plus application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove movix.searchalgo.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove nJoyMovies Search Plus browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove movix.searchalgo.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove movix.searchalgo.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
nJoyMovies Search Plus 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, "nJoyMovies Search Plus"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the movix.searchalgo.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
nJoyMovies Search Plus 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://movix.searchalgo.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 "Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the njoymovies search plus potentially unwanted application, 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 "nJoyMovies Search Plus" 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 "nJoyMovies Search Plus" browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.movix.searchalgo.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 "movix.searchalgo.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 njoymovies search plus potentially unwanted application, 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 "nJoyMovies Search Plus", 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, disable "nJoyMovies Search Plus", remove hxxp://movix.searchalgo.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: "movix.searchalgo.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with njoymovies search plus potentially unwanted application 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 njoymovies search plus potentially unwanted application, 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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