Remove apps promoting wwmiox.xyz

What is wwmiox.xyz?

wwmiox.xyz is the address of a fake search engine. Generally, search engines of this type are promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) classified as browser hijackers. They are termed PUAs, since people often download and install them inadvertently.

Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by modifying browser settings. Additionally, they often track and record browsing-related (and other) data.

Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by setting their addresses as the URL of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. In this case, the PUA changes the addresses to wwmiox.xyz. Therefore, people are forced to visit this address when they open a hijacked browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Commonly, the bogus address of the fake search engine cannot be removed from the settings as long as the browser hijacker is installed on the browser and/or operating system. They can be modified/undone only after removal of the browser hijacker that originally reassigned them.

Note that most fake search engines do not generate unique results - when used, they display results generated by other, legitimate search engines. They might also generate misleading results. Furthermore, browser hijackers often gather browsing-related data.

For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, and addresses of visited websites. Some browser hijackers can collect personal, sensitive information as well. The data might be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

People who have browser hijackers installed on the browser and/or operating system can become victims of identity theft, experience problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other issues. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall all PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	wwmiox.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Serving IP Address	192.99.54.145
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal).
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.

lpxsx.xyz, cbsearch.site and world-search.net are addresses of search engines that are also promoted through browser hijackers. These apps are advertised as legitimate, useful software that supposedly improves the browsing experience, includes various features, etc. In fact, they are designed only to generate revenue for developers and can cause serious problems.

How did wwmiox.xyz install on my computer?

In most cases, users download and install browser hijackers (and other PUAs) through the download/installation set-ups of other programs. They are included into the set-ups as 'additional offers', which can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" or other similar settings.

Many users fail to check these settings when they download and install programs and leave them unchanged - this allows included PUAs to be downloaded and installed as well.

This software distribution method is known as "bundling". Unwanted downloads and installations can also be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements - some ads can run scripts designed to download and install unwanted software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download software only from official, trustworthy websites, and direct links. Various third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites etc., should not be used.

These channel can be used to distribute unwanted, even malicious software. Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other options/settings of the set-ups and dismiss any additionally-included applications before finishing the process. Do not click ads that appear on dubious web pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating or others.

These can cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plugins installed on the browser immediately.

The same should be applied to software of this kind that is 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.

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

wwmiox.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 wwmiox.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

wwmiox.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://wwmiox.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 "wwmiox.xyz".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the wwmiox.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 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.wwmiox.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 "wwmiox.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 wwmiox.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.

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 remove hxxp://wwmiox.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 wwmiox.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 wwmiox.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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