How to uninstall apps that open qlopx.xyz

What is qlopx.xyz?

qlopx.xyz is the address of a fake search engine promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker called SApp+ (or Smash App+). It is possible that other apps also promote qlopx.xyz. Generally, apps of this type promote the addresses of fake search engines by changing browser settings.

Browser hijackers also gather information. They are classified as PUAs, since people usually download and install them unintentionally.

In most cases, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by setting their URLs as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Therefore, users of hijacked browsers are forced to visit the address of a fake search engine (in this case, qlopx.xyz) when they open a browser, new window or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Despite this, SApp+ does not make changes to browser settings - it detects when users enter search queries and then loads results generated by qlopx.xyz. Note that qlopx.xyz is opened through searchmes.xyz, another dubious address. Fake search engines do not generate any unique results and often provide misleading information.

In any case, search engines such as qlopx.xyz and apps such as SApp+ can never be trusted. Browser hijackers are often designed to gather browsing-related information such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, and other data of this kind.

In some cases, they type target sensitive information as well. Developers use the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it in other ways.

Installed browser hijackers can cause problems with browsing safety, privacy and other issues. Recorded data might also be used to steal identities. Therefore, never download or install PUAs.

Threat Summary:

Name	qlopx.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	SApp+, Smash App+ (could also be other PUAs).
Supposed Functionality	Browser hijackers 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).
Symptoms	Manipulated internet browser(s) 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 browsing 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.

vprx.xyz, srchpx.xyz and xscx.xyz are some examples of other fake search engines that are promoted through browser hijackers, which promote the addresses of fake search engines and collect browsing-related information.

Developers advertise them as useful, legitimate applications that supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, etc, however, the search engines and apps that promote them are useless, cause various problems, and are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue.

How did qlopx.xyz install on my computer?

People usually download and install various unwanted apps (browser hijackers and other PUAs) when they are included into the download/installation set-ups of other software. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Developers use this method to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with users' required software.

In most cases, offers to download and install PUAs can be found in settings such as "Custom" and " Advanced", however, many people fail to check and change them.

This allows additional PUAs to be downloaded and installed with regular software. In some cases, unintentional downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive ads, which then execute scripts designed to download and install PUAs and malicious applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Unwanted apps are often distributed through third party downloaders and installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial pages, etc. Therefore, never use such tools/channels to download or install your software. Use only official web pages and direct download links.

Check all download and installation set-ups, since they often contain settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual". Dismiss any offers to download or install additional, unwanted software before completing the process. Intrusive advertisements that appear on dubious web pages tend to open untrusted pages or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Therefore, never click these ads. Remove all unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins already installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are 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 offers to update Mozilla Firefox with a fake Firefox installer (updater) that installs SApp+:

Another website designed to promote SApp+ (or SmashApp+):

SApp+ asks permission to access and store various data (on Mozilla Firefox):

Smash App+ asks permission to read and change data (on Google Chrome):

Hijacked browser opens qlopx.xyz through searchmes.xyz (GIF):

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Quick menu:

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

Qlopx.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 qlopx.xyz website, e.g., "SApp+" or "Smash App+", scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

qlopx.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 "SApp+" or "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://qlopx.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 "SApp+" or "Smash App+".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the qlopx.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 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+", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.qlopx.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 "qlopx.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 qlopx.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 all recently installed browser plug-ins (such as "SApp+").

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 "SApp+", remove hxxp://qlopx.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: "qlopx.xyz"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with qlopx.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 qlopx.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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