How to remove Relola from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Relola?
Relola is a browser hijacker which promotes search.relola.com, the address of a dubious search engine. Typically, browser hijackers promote search engines by changing certain browser settings. Furthermore, these apps usually gather various private information.
Most people download or install programs of this kind unintentionally and, for this reason, they are classed as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Generally, browser hijackers such as Relola change browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. This app assigns these addresses to search.relola.com. As long as the Relola app is installed, users arrive at search.relola.com when they open a browser, new tab or search via the URL bar.
If this search engine is used while Relola is installed on the browser, it provides results generated by Yahoo. I.e., it redirects users to search.yahoo.com. Note that if search.relola.com is used without the Relola app, it provides no real value or useful results. In any case, search engines that are promoted by browser hijackers should not be trusted or used.
To remove search.relola.com from the aforementioned settings, it is necessary to uninstall Relola, otherwise it will reassign this address after each attempt to change it. Furthermore, most browser hijackers operate as information tracking tools. They record browsing data such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and so on.
Some browser hijackers gather sensitive, confidential details. Developers misuse the details to generate revenue and often share them with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Collected data might also be misused to steal users' identities. Therefore, having PUAs installed can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, etc. We strongly recommend that you uninstall all browser hijackers and other PUAs immediately.
Name | Relola |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Browser Extension(s) | Relola |
Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly enhances the browsing experience. |
Promoted URL | search.relola.com |
Serving IP Address (search.relola.com) | 34.208.111.90 |
Detection Names (search.relola.com) | Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
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. |
Fast Flight Tracker, All Day Forecast and Great File Converter are the names of apps that are also classified as browser hijackers.
Unfortunately, there are many others. In most cases, apps of this type promote fake search engines (they change web browser settings) and collect data. Few operate as advertised or deliver any useful features. They are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
How did Relola install on my computer?
In most cases, people do not download or install browser hijackers (or other PUAs) intentionally. This usually happens when they click deceptive ads or download and/or install software without dismissing offers to download/install additional apps.
Unwanted downloads and installations also occur when deceptive ads run scripts designed to download and install unwanted apps.
In other cases, PUAs are downloaded/installed when they are included into download/installation set-ups. Typically, information about these additionally-included apps can be found in options such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc. Many people leave these settings unchanged, thereby allowing PUAs to be downloaded or installed through the set-ups of other programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Do not download/install programs or files from unofficial web pages, through third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients, etc.), or other channels of this kind. In many cases, they are used to distribute unwanted apps. Download all programs and files from official websites and via direct download links.
Check all download and installation settings such as "Advanced", "Manual", "Custom", and so on. Decline any offers to download or install other software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can redirect to other untrustworthy sites or cause unwanted downloads/installations.
Unfortunately, dubious ads might also be displayed on legitimate web pages. To stop browsers from opening dubious web pages or displaying ads, remove all unwanted or suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) that are installed. If that does not resolve the problem, it might be necessary to also uninstall software of this kind from the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with Relola, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Relola browser hijacker asks permission to read and change various data:
Website promoting Relola browser hijacker:
Appearance of this website (GIF):
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 Relola?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Relola application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.relola.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Relola browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.relola.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.relola.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Relola 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, "Relola"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.relola.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Relola 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://search.relola.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 "Relola".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.relola.com redirect, 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 "Relola" 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 "Relola", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.relola.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 "search.relola.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 search.relola.com redirect, 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 "Relola", 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 "Relola", remove hxxp://search.relola.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: "search.relola.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.relola.com redirect 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 search.relola.com redirect, 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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