How to remove the Utilitool browser hijacker

What is Utilitool?

Utilitool is a browser hijacker, which is promoted as a multi-purpose tool. It operates by modifying browsers and promoting feed.utilitooltech.com, a fake search engine. Additionally, it has data tracking capabilities, which it employs to gather browsing-related information.

Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate Utilitool, it is also classed as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer are common targets of browser hijackers. After successful installation, these rogue apps assign the addresses of their fake search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.

These alterations may seem insignificant, however, they significantly diminish the browsing experience - each new tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the fake search engine. Utilitool promotes feed.utilitooltech.com in this manner.

Few bogus search engines can generate search results, and therefore they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) a legitimate site. Utilitool's fake search engine (feed.utilitooltech.com) is no exception - it redirects to search.yahoo.com.

These modifications cannot be undone without removing the browser hijacker, since any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset (if access to the browser settings is permitted at all).

Most browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, including Utilitool, which can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). It is highly likely that this sensitive data will then be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit.

Software capable of data tracking is a serious safety concern - its presence on systems can lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, you are advised to remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Utilitool
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	Utilitool
Supposed Functionality	It is supposedly a multi-purpose tool.
Promoted URL	feed.utilitooltech.com
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. ▼ 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.

Browser hijackers often seem legitimate and temp users into downloading/installing them with a wide variety of "useful" features. While the range of functions promised is broad, the hijackers behave in a similar or identical fashion. Their features rarely work as advertised and, in most cases, are nonoperational.

 Search by Live PDF Converter, Daily Online Manuals, Forms Guru, and MyTelevisionOnline Search are some examples of similar apps. Legitimate appearance and so-called "useful" capabilities (which usually do not work) are traits associated with all PUAs.

In fact, the sole purpose of all unwanted content/PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers - it is not created for user convenience and poses a threat to them. PUAs hijack browsers, force-open untrustworthy and malicious websites, deliver intrusive advertisements (pop-ups, surveys, banners, etc.) and gather private data.

How did Utilitool install on my computer?

While Utilitool has an "official" download web page, promotional sites are not the most common mode of PUA proliferation. Typically, these applications proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other programs. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal content with unwanted or malicious software.

When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options increases the risk of potential system infiltration and infections. Intrusive ads also proliferate PUAs. When clicked, they can execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install unwanted apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research software before downloading/installing. All downloads should be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels (free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks [BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.] and other third party downloaders) can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions and so on.

Intrusive advertisements rarely seem suspicious, however, they can cause redirects to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others). If you experience redirects of this kind, inspect the device and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins.

If your computer is already infected with Utilitool, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Utilitool browser hijacker asking for various data-related permissions:

Website promoting Utilitool browser hijacker:

Yet another site used to promote Utilitool 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:
▼ 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 Utilitool?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Utilitool application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Utilitool browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove feed.utilitooltech.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Utilitool 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, "Utilitool"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Utilitool 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://feed.utilitooltech.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 "Utilitool".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the feed.utilitooltech.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 "Utilitool" 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 "Utilitool", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.feed.utilitooltech.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 "feed.utilitooltech.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 feed.utilitooltech.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 "Utilitool", 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 "Utilitool", remove hxxp://feed.utilitooltech.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with feed.utilitooltech.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 feed.utilitooltech.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on feed.utilitooltech.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion