GardeningEnthusiast Toolbar
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
GardeningEnthusiast is a browser app that supposedly provides users with hundreds of free gardening hints and tips. It is just one of many apps created by Mindspark Interactive Network Inc. In fact, GardeningEnthusiast is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker.
Typically, people download and install apps of this type unintentionally. Once installed, they promote dubious (fake) search engines by changing browser settings. In this case, GardeningEnthusiast promotes the hp.myway.com search engine.
Apps such as GardeningEnthusiast are usually installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. After installation, this PUA modifies browser settings by assigning hp.myway.com as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address. Most browser hijackers prevent users from undoing the changes.
In this case, users of GardeningEnthusiast are forced to open hp.myway.com when they open the hijacked browser, a new tab, or search using the URL bar (by entering a search query into it). To revert changes made by GardeningEnthusiast, users must uninstall the app.
Browser hijackers record IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, and other data relating to users' browsing activity. Some of these PUAs might also collect sensitive information that developers share with other parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
To avoid privacy/browsing safety issues, or even identity theft, we recommend that you uninstall GardeningEnthusiast immediately.
| Name | GardeningEnthusiast browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | GardeningEnthusiast |
| Supposed Functionality | Claims to provide users with various gardening tips. |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), AVG (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA potentially unwanted), Kaspersky (not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users 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), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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 other similar apps online including, for example, CrazyForCrafts, QuickLogin, and DailyFunnyWorld. Developers present them as 'useful apps' that are supposedly legitimate and useful. In fact, PUAs do not operate as advertised - they are designed only to generate revenue for their developers and cause numerous problems.
How did GardeningEnthusiast install on my computer?
Typically, unwanted apps are installed when people download and install other software without deselecting additional unwanted options - they leave settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" (and other similar parts) of software setup unchecked and unchanged. Developers often include unwanted apps into set-ups of other, regular software.
This deceptive method is called "bundling". Developers do not disclose information about the inclusion of PUAs into set-ups and rush downloads/installations, thereby allowing these apps to be installed with other, regular software. These unintentional downloads/installations are also caused by clicking deceptive, intrusive advertisements.
Furthermore, many ads that, if clicked, run scripts designed to download/install unwanted apps (sometimes malicious).
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not use Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule etc.), other (third party) software downloaders, dubious/unofficial websites, and so on. Software should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites and using direct download links.
Furthermore, check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of software setups and to opt-out of unwanted apps, otherwise they might be downloaded and installed with your chosen software. Do not install using third party installers. Avoid clicking intrusive advertisements, especially on dubious web pages.
If clicked, they redirect users to untrustworthy websites relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating and other dubious sites. If you encounter unwanted redirects or ads, check for unwanted/unknown extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on the default browser. Also check the list of installed programs installed on the operating system.
Remove all suspicious, unwanted apps/programs immediately. If your computer is already infected with GardeningEnthusiast, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
GardeningEnthusiast browser hijacker installation setup:
Website promoting GardeningEnthusiast 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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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GardeningEnthusiast application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GardeningEnthusiast 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.
GardeningEnthusiast 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, "GardeningEnthusiast"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications 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.
GardeningEnthusiast 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 "GardeningEnthusiast".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gardeningenthusiast 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 "GardeningEnthusiast" (or "GardeningEnthusiast for Chrome") 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 "GardeningEnthusiast", (or "GardeningEnthusiast for Chrome") look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.hp.myway.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 "hp.myway.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 gardeningenthusiast 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 "GardeningEnthusiast", 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 "GardeningEnthusiast" 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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with gardeningenthusiast 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 gardeningenthusiast 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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