Prevent FreeAuctionFinder from hijacking your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
Another rogue application, developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, FreeAuctionFinder is advertised as a free tool for finding relevant and latest auctions.
It is also accompanied by a fake search engine (hp.myway.com). Classified as a PUA (potentially unwanted application) and a browser hijacker, FreeAuctionFinder is frequently installed unintentionally. It makes changes to browser settings and it is not unlikely that it has data tracking capabilities also.
FreeAuctionFinder targets the most popular browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer). It changes browser's homepages, new tab/window URL and default search engine to hp.myway.com. This alteration works this way: every new tab/window opened and every web search through the URL bar - redirect to FreeAuctionFinder's fake search engine.
Attempting to use a hijacked browser can very difficult, if not outright impossible. While these changes may seem as easy to undo, without removing this rogue application, all changes made by the user are automatically reset. PUAs can also have data tracking abilities.
By monitoring browsing activity, they can find traces of users' personal details. All unwanted applications are designed for the purpose of generating profit for their developers, therefore data-tracking ones do so by selling intel to third parties (possibly, cyber criminals).
Such applications endanger not only browsers and systems, but also user privacy and identity (which can even result in identity theft). To preserve device and user safety, all PUAs must be removed immediately.
| Name | FreeAuctionFinder browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | FreeAuctionFinder |
| Supposed Functionality | This browser hijacker supposedly helps users easily find various auctions. |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.67.240.173 |
| Detection Names (hp.myway.com) | Avira (Malware), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
FreeAuctionFinder is identical to other applications developed by Mindspark Interactive Network (e.g. FreeArticleSkimmer, DailyFunnyWorld, TaxCenterNow and others). While the features they offer are different, they operate very similarly.
Most PUAs offer some sort of "useful" and "advantageous" features, typically they are all advertised as "free". However, these features rarely function and if they do, that does not negate the fact that users can end up paying for them with their browser/device integrity and/or personal privacy.
Once within a system, PUAs cause rogue redirects to compromised/hazardous websites, deliver intrusive ad campaigns and some can even gather sensitive information.
How did FreeAuctionFinder install on my computer?
FreeAuctionFinder can be downloaded from its official website for free. PUAs can also spread through install packs/bundles. Packing regular software together with unwanted applications is termed "bundling". By downloading programs from untrustworthy sources, users are more likely to get them pre-packed with something else (possibly, even with malware).
Inattentive and hasty approach to installing programs can also lead to system invasions/infections. While op-outs from additional applications/features can be possible - due to step-skipping and usage of pre-set install settings - they are often missed. Rogue applications can also infiltrate systems through invasive advertisements (typically, hosted by unreliable sites).
In summary, carelessness and haste when browsing and downloading/installing software are the main causes of PUA invasions.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Always researching software/features/etc. to verify their legitimacy is strongly advised. It is highly recommended to use only official and verified sources for downloading (ideally, via direct download links). Caution and attentiveness are essential to safe program installation.
Install recommendations include: reading terms, exploring possible options and using "Custom/Advanced" settings. Also, all supplementary applications/features should be opted-out of, offers to download such from elsewhere likewise declined. Prudent browsing habits are strongly encouraged, i.e. avoidance of suspicious sites and ads.
It should be noted that intrusive adverts are intentionally designed to appear legitimate and innocuous, thereby successfully tricking users into clicking them. However a telltale sign of invasive ads can be the websites they redirect to (gambling, pornography, adult-dating and a thousand other examples).
Should users encounter undesirable redirects to compromised/malicious sites and/or intrusive advertisements, they should inspect their system without delay. Should there be any dubious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins present - they must be removed immediately.
If your computer is already infected with FreeAuctionFinder, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting FreeAuctionFinder 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 FreeAuctionFinder application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove FreeAuctionFinder 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.
FreeAuctionFinder 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, "FreeAuctionFinder Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which 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.
FreeAuctionFinder browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects (Windows OS):
Video showing how to remove FreeAuctionFinder browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner (MacOS):
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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the freeauctionfinder 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 "FreeAuctionFinder" 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 "FreeAuctionFinder", look for a browser hijacker URL (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" 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 freeauctionfinder 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "FreeAuctionFinder", 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 "FreeAuctionFinder", 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 freeauctionfinder 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 freeauctionfinder 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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