Getofficex.org Redirect

What is getofficex.org?

getofficex.org (or newtab.getofficex.org) is a fake search engine that is promoted through a browser hijacker, a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called OfficeX. Typically, search engines that are promoted using apps of this type cannot be trusted.

According to OfficeX's developers, this app provides easy access to various documents and the ability to create them directly from the browser, however, most people do not install these applications intentionally. In most cases, they are tricked into doing so.

When installed, OfficeX collects user-information and modifies browser settings. The same applies to the getofficex.org search engine.

Most browser hijackers target popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Once installed, OfficeX assigns its associated fake search engine (getofficex.org or newtab.getofficex.org) as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL address.

Therefore, people with this PUA installed on their systems visit this address when a new tab (or the entire browser window) is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar. Like most browser hijackers, OfficeX prevents users from undoing the appointed settings - they cannot be modified unless this app is uninstalled. Another negative side is information/data tracking.

This fake search engine and browser hijacker collect information relating to users' browsing habits. They record data such as IP addresses, geo-locations, search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on.

Some personal details might also be recorded. Developers share the collected data with third parties (often cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Thus, using fake search engines and browser hijackers can lead to problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	OfficeX 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.

There are many fake search engines, including search.htemplatehub.co, feed.any-templates.com, and yatab.net as just a few examples. Typically, developers promote them by promising an enhanced browsing experience (more accurate search results, faster searches, and so on), various tools, and other functionality.

Unfortunately, few of these search engines (or browser hijackers) deliver any real value. They are designed only to generate revenue for their developers.

How did OfficeX install on my computer?

OfficeX app can be downloaded from a website that developers use to promote it, however, people usually download and install apps of this type by clicking dubious (deceptive) ads or when software developers use "bundling", a deceptive marketing method that software developers use to trick people into installing unwanted programs with other software.

They fail to disclose information about the inclusion of bundled apps in software download or installation set-ups. They hide bundled apps in "Custom"/"Advanced" options/settings of these set-ups.

Furthermore, many users install (or download) software without paying attention to the details. They often leave all available settings unchanged and thereby give permission for PUAs to be installed or downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Take precautions when downloading, installing software and browsing the web. Do not download software using untrustworthy, unofficial websites, third party software downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule and other such tools. Download from official websites and using direct links.

Pay close attention to the installation details, and do not skip download/installation steps without first checking all available "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options. This also applies to any checkboxes ticked by default. Deselect offers to install (or download) unwanted apps and only then finish the installation (or download) process.

Avoid clicking on suspicious (and intrusive) ads - they may seem legitimate, however, once clicked, they can redirect to adult dating, pornography, gambling, or other similar web pages.

If you encounter these redirects or advertisements, check all extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins that are installed on your browser, or programs on your computer, and uninstall all dubious or unwanted entries immediately.

If your computer is already infected with OfficeX, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting OfficeX 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:
▼ 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 getofficex.org?
• STEP 1. Uninstall OfficeX application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove getofficex.org redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove OfficeX browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove getofficex.org homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove getofficex.org redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

OfficeX 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, "OfficeX"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the getofficex.org website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

OfficeX 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://getofficex.org (or newtab.getofficex.org) 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 "getofficex.org" or "newtab.getofficex.org".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the officex 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 "OfficeX", "OfficeX New Tab" or "Search by Officex" 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, disable "OfficeX", "OfficeX New Tab" or "Search by Officex", look for browser hijacker's URL (hxxp://www.getofficex.org or newtab.getofficex.org) 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, disable "OfficeX", "OfficeX New Tab" or "Search by Officex", look for "getofficex.org" (or "newtab.getofficex.org"), 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 officex 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 "OfficeX", "OfficeX New Tab", "OfficeX Search Addon" or "Search by Officex", 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 "OfficeX", ("OfficeX New Tab"), "OfficeX Search Addon" or "Search by Officex", remove hxxp://getofficex.org (or newtab.getofficex.org) 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: "getofficex.org" (or "newtab.getofficex.org").
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with officex 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 officex 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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