How to uninstall SimplePackageFinder
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
As its name suggests, the SimplePackageFinder app supposedly tracks incoming and outgoing shipments, manages online purchases, and organizes receipts, however, this is just one of many browser hijackers developed by Mindspark.
SimplePackageFinder gathers data relating to users' browsing habits and promotes hp.myway.com (a fake search engine) by modifying browser settings. Typically, people download and install browser hijackers accidentally. Therefore, they are also categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Browser hijackers are often installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. In most cases, they change settings such as address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. SimplePackageFinder assigns them to hp.myway.com.
Therefore, people with SimplePackageFinder installed on their browsers are forced to visit this address when they open a browser (new window), new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.
This can only be avoided by uninstalling SimplePackageFinder from the browser and computer, since it does not allow users to change hp.myway.com to any other address (it reassigns settings when attempts are made to modify them).
Furthermore, most browser hijackers collect information relating to users' browsing habits including, for example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, and so on. Developers misuse the data to generate revenue and often share it with third parties (potentially cyber criminals).
Thus, having a browser hijacker such as SimplePackageFinder installed can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, or even identity theft. For these reasons, uninstall this browser hijacker and avoid these apps in future.
Name | SimplePackageFinder browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.145), 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) | SimplePackageFinder |
Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly tracks incoming and outgoing shipments. |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.75.46.3 |
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. |
More examples of browser hijackers include MapsMyWayFree, QuickTemplateFinder, and OnlineFormsDirect. These apps supposedly provide useful features, and yet few operate as advertised. Browser hijackers force users to access fake search engines and record various details. Never trust apps of this type.
How did SimplePackageFinder install on my computer?
SimplePackageFinder can be downloaded from its website, however, most people download and/or install potentially unwanted apps unintentionally by clicking intrusive, deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts, or when software developers use the "bundling" method.
Bundling is employed to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with regular software. Developers include PUAs into the set-ups of other software and hide the details in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. People commonly allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default when they leave the settings unchanged.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download software from official and trustworthy websites, and using direct download links. Avoid other tools or sources such as third party downloaders, installers, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), etc., since they are often used to promote unwanted apps.
Do not finish software download or installation without checking settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc., which are included in the setup. Dismiss any offers to download or install PUAs. Do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages.
For example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc. Note that PUAs can open malicious, deceptive websites or even cause download/installation of other unwanted applications. Remove any unwanted, unknown or suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, and programs installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with SimplePackageFinder, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting SimplePackageFinder browser hijacker:
SimplePackageFinder set-up:
SimplePackageFinder asks for a permission to be added to the browser:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SimplePackageFinder application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SimplePackageFinder 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.
SimplePackageFinder 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, "SimplePackageFinder 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.
SimplePackageFinder 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 simplepackagefinder 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 "SimplePackageFinder" 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 SimplePackageFinder, 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 simplepackagefinder 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 "SimplePackageFinder", 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 SimplePackageFinder, 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 simplepackagefinder 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 simplepackagefinder 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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