How to eliminate the HistorySee browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is HistorySee?
HistorySee is a browser hijacker supposedly capable of providing daily historical facts. This piece of software modifies browsers to promote history-see.com (a fake search engine). Additionally, HistorySee monitors users' browsing habits. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this browser hijacker, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox are common targets of browser hijackers. They operate by assigning the addresses of bogus search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.
These seemingly minor modifications significantly affect the browsing experience. For example, with HistorySee installed, each web search made via the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to history-see.com.
Fake search engines have no genuine value to users, as they are typically unable to provide unique results (they simply redirect to other legitimate sites). The search engine of HistorySee (history-see.com) is no exception - it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com).
Furthermore, any changes users make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. Therefore, the browser hijacker must be removed to recover the hijacked browser. Furthermore, HistorySee has data tracking capabilities.
It can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data is often monetized by sharing with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit.
To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on systems can lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.
| Name | HistorySee |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Browser Extension(s) | HistorySee |
| Supposed Functionality | Daily history facts |
| Promoted URL | history-see.com |
| Serving IP Address (history-see.com) | 104.27.172.192 |
| 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. |
Better Browsing, Plenty O' Apps, Smart Searching Tab are some examples of other browser hijackers. They may seem legitimate and offer different functionality, however they operate in a manner that is identical. Additionally, despite how good the offered capabilities may sound, they are usually nonoperational.
In fact, this applies to all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs hijack browsers, force-open untrusted and malicious websites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and collect vulnerable data.
How did HistorySee install on my computer?
Some PUAs (including HistorySee) have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded, however, they are often downloaded/installed with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions.
Rushing download and installation processes (e.g. ignoring or skimming terms, skipping steps, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. When clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are strongly advised to research all software to verify its legitimacy, before download/installation. All downloads should be performed only from official and trustworthy sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with HistorySee, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
HistorySee browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting HistorySee browser hijacker on Google Chrome:
Website promoting HistorySee browser hijacker on Mozilla Firefox:
Appearance of HistorySee browser hijacker (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is HistorySee?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HistorySee application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove history-see.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove HistorySee browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove history-see.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove history-see.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
HistorySee 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, "HistorySee"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the history-see.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
HistorySee 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://history-see.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 "HistorySee".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the history-see.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 "HistorySee" 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 "HistorySee", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.history-see.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 "history-see.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 history-see.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 "HistorySee", 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 "HistorySee", remove hxxp://history-see.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 history-see.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 history-see.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.
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