Stop OnlineFormsDirect from hijacking your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
OnlineFormsDirect is yet another rogue application released by Mindspark Interactive Network. It is advertised for easy access to government forms and is supposedly capable of providing taxation, healthcare, power of attorney (POA), travel, immigration, and various other forms.
Due to the dubious methods used to distribute OnlineFormsDirect, it is classed as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). It also operates as a browser hijacker and makes unauthorized changes to browsers to promote hp.myway.com, a fake search engine.
Furthermore, OnlineFormsDirect has data tracking capabilities, which it employs to gather information relating to users' browsing activity.
Browser hijackers are typically designed to target Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other popular browsers. After successful infiltration, these apps assign the homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL to the addresses of their fake search engines.
Therefore, all queries typed into the URL bar and each new tab/window opened will automatically redirect to a fake search engine. OnlineFormsDirect promotes hp.myway.com in this manner. These modifications may seem insignificant and relatively easy to undo, however, this is not the case.
Any changes users attempt to make are simply reset, and access to certain settings might even be limited/denied. The browser hijacker must be removed to recover the afflicted browser. As mentioned, OnlineFormsDirect can track data.
It monitors browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gathers users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations, and other details). This sensitive data is then shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to generate revenue by misusing it.
The presence of data tracking content on devices can cause system infiltration and/or infections, and lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss, and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | OnlineFormsDirect browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.120), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | OnlineFormsDirect |
| Supposed Functionality | Access to forms/patterns of various documents. |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
| Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 74.113.237.64 |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser 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. |
Most browser hijackers share certain traits - applications of this type released by the same developers are usually identical. GetFormsHere, ProductManualsGuide, and FreeTemplateFinder are just some examples of apps similar to OnlineFormsDirect and released by Mindspark Interactive Network.
Download Forms Now, Free Forms Online, and Forms Hub App are similar browser hijackers, from different distributors. In fact, all PUAs share similarities. They may seem legitimate and often tempt users to install by offering a wide variety of features, however, despite how useful these features may sound, they rarely operate as advertised (if indeed they are operational at all).
All unwanted software/content is created to generate profit for the designers. Regular users receive no value. PUAs hijack browsers, generate redirects to untrustworthy and malicious websites, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, and gather private data.
How did OnlineFormsDirect install on my computer?
Some PUAs, such as OnlineFormsDirect, have "official" download web pages. These rogue applications also proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unwanted apps infiltrating the device. PUAs also proliferate through intrusive advertisements. Once clicked, these ads can execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted applications without users' consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all software/content to verify its legitimacy, before downloading/installing. Use only trustworthy and verified download sources. Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), unofficial and free file-hosting sites, third party downloaders and similar channels are untrustworthy and should not be used.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of downloading/installing additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements usually seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with OnlineFormsDirect, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
OnlineFormsDirect browser hijacker installer set-up:
OnlineFormsDirect browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting OnlineFormsDirect browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall OnlineFormsDirect application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove OnlineFormsDirect 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.
OnlineFormsDirect 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, "OnlineFormsDirect Internet Explorer..."), 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.
OnlineFormsDirect 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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the onlineformsdirect 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 "OnlineFormsDirect" 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 OnlineFormsDirect, 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 "Ask Web Search", 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 onlineformsdirect 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 "OnlineFormsDirect", 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 OnlineFormsDirect, 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 onlineformsdirect 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 onlineformsdirect 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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