How to uninstall CERX and other browser hijackers

What is guj5.xyz?

guj5.xyz is one of many fake search engines promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker called CERX. This PUA is related to another app of this type called QIP. Generally, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Furthermore, most collect data relating to users' browsing activities. Note that guj5.xyz might also be promoted through other browser hijackers (such as Smash App +).

Typically, browser hijackers change settings such as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. They ensure that users visit the address of a fake search engine when they open a hijacked browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Research shows that this particular app (CERX) does not change the aforementioned settings. Nevertheless, it detects when users enter search queries and then redirects them to guj5.xyz (which is also opened through qxsearch.com, another dubious web page).

In any case, the only way to stop your browser from opening guj5.xyz (and qxsearch.com) is to uninstall CERX and other apps that promote this fake search engine.

Furthermore, browser hijackers usually collect information relating to users' browsing activity such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing-related data.

Developers tend to misuse the data to generate revenue, and/or sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who use it for the same purpose. Browser hijackers are designed to record browsing data and also personal information.

People who have browsers hijacked by apps of this type are put at risk of problems relating to browsing safety, privacy and so on. It is also possible that recorded data will be misused to steal their identities.

Threat Summary:

Name	guj5.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	CERX, Smash App+
Supposed Functionality	Typically, browser hijackers supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names	Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.28.0.139
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.

Other fake search engines that are promoted through CERX included bhj1.xyz, mkob.xyz and qikc.xyz. Browser hijackers are often advertised as useful and legitimate. They supposedly deliver various features or other value, however, they are generally useless.

They are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue and put users at risk of various problems. Therefore, we recommend that you uninstall CERX, Smash App+ and other browser hijacker from the browser and/or operating system immediately.

How did guj5.xyz install on my computer?

Developers proliferate PUAs via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this method to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted apps together with other programs.

They include PUAs into the download and/or installation set-ups of regular (often free) software and place related information in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings. People who download or install programs without checking these settings often download and/install more than just the selected programs.

These unwanted downloads/installations can also be caused by clicking deceptive ads that are designed to run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All software should be downloaded from official websites (and via direct links). Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, isntallers, and other similar download and installation tools should not be used, since they are often monetized by promoting unwanted applications.

Check all settings ("Advanced", Custom" and so on) of any download or installation setup and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted software. Intrusive advertisements that are displayed on unofficial (dubious) web pages should not be clicked - they can open potentially malicious websites or cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

Finally, remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, and programs of this kind 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.

Deceptive website encourages people to update Firefox with a fake installer designed to install CERX:

 CERX asks permission to access certain data:

Deceptive website encourages to update Firefox with a fake installer that is designed to install Smash App+:

Smash App+ asks to read data and change certain settings:

CERX forces the browser to open guj5.xyz via qxsearch.com (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:
▼ 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 guj5.xyz?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove guj5.xyz redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove guj5.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove guj5.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove guj5.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

guj5.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 (like "CERX"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the guj5.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

guj5.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 (like "CERX", "Smash App+"), 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://guj5.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", "Smash App+" or other PUA.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the guj5.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 "Smash App+", and/or "CERX") 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 "Smash App+", "CERX", or other PUA, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.guj5.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 "guj5.xyz", 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 guj5.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", "Smash App+" or other recently installed, unwanted 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", "Smash App+" or other installed PUA, remove hxxp://guj5.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 guj5.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 guj5.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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