How to uninstall CERX and other unwanted apps

What is piolo.xyz?

piolo.xyz is the address of a fake search engine that is promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs): browser hijackers called CERX and Dorss APP. It is also very likely that there are other apps of this type that promote this fake search engine.

CERX is related to QIP (another browser hijacker). Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings, and most gather information relating to users' browsing habits.

Browser hijackers promote piolo.xyz by assigning its URL as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Therefore, people who have browsers hijacked by CERX, Dorss APP or other apps that promote piolo.xyz, are forced to visit this fake search engine when they open a new browser window, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Generally, browsers can only be prevented from opening the address of the fake search engine by uninstalling the browser hijacker (in this case, CERX, Dorss APP or another PUA). Furthermore, most browsers hijackers collect browsing data such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries and other details.

In some cases, they record personal, sensitive information. The developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. This might cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and so on. Some users might become victims of identity theft.

To avoid problems caused through browser hijackers, never download and install apps of this type. If one is already installed on the browser and/or operating system, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	piolo.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	CERX, Dorss APP (and other PUAs).
Supposed Functionality	Typically, apps of this type supposedly improve the browsing experience.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.27.134.6
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Most browser hijackers are very similar: they promote fake search engines and gather various data. They are advertised as useful and legitimate, however, these apps do not function as promised and simply cause problems. Some examples of other apps of this type are Converter King, Free Daily Manuals and Free Converter Tool.

How did piolo.xyz install on my computer?

Typically, people download and install browser hijackers (and PUAs of other types) through deceptive advertisements or when they are included into the set-ups of other software. The latter distribution method is called "bundling" - developers use it to trick people into downloading/installing PUAs with regular software.

Typically, information about additionally-included apps can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options of the download/installation set-ups of various programs.

People who download or install software without checking the settings often allow additionally-included apps to be downloaded and/or installed. In some cases, people cause unwanted downloads/installations by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is not safe to download or install software through dubious websites, third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), or other channels/tools of this kind. Download from official websites and using direct download links. If a setup contains "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" and other similar options, they should be checked carefully.

Decline any offers to download or install unwanted apps. Avoid clicking intrusive advertisements, especially when displayed on dubious pages - these can cause redirects to untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites. In some cases, they cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Ensure that there are no unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed on the browser, or programs of this type installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Hijacked browser causes redirect to piolo.xyz in GIF:

A deceptive website encourages users to update Mozilla Firefox through a fake installer that installs CERX:

CERX asks permission to access various data:

Another deceptive website encourages people to update Adobe Flash Player through a fake installer that installs Dorss APP:

Dors APP asks permission to access various data:

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is piolo.xyz?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove piolo.xyz redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove piolo.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove piolo.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove piolo.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

piolo.xyz redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the piolo.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

piolo.xyz redirect 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://piolo.xyz 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 "CERX", "Dorss APP" or other PUA.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the piolo.xyz 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons like "CERX", "Dorss APP" 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 "CERX", "Dorss APP" (or other PUA) look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.piolo.xyz) 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 "piolo.xyz", 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 piolo.xyz 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 "CERX", "Dorss APP" and 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 "CERX", "Dorss APP" (or other PUA), remove hxxp://piolo.xyz 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with piolo.xyz 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 piolo.xyz 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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