How to uninstall the OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, OnlinePrivacyManager is rogue software endorsed as a tool to improve users' browsing privacy. This application is classified as a browser hijacker. It operates by making modifications to browser settings to promote hp.myway.com (a fake search engine).
Additionally, OnlinePrivacyManager monitors users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate OnlinePrivacyManager, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Popular browsers with large user bases such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox are common targets of browser hijackers. Following successful installation, these rogue applications reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.
Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. In the case of OnlinePrivacyManager, the aforementioned actions cause redirects to hp.myway.com.
Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing valid results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Even if the promoted search engines can provide results, they tend to be inaccurate and/or promote untrusted, possibly malicious sites.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the affected browser's settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, the only way of recovering the affected browser is by removing the browser hijacker. As mentioned, OnlinePrivacyManager has data tracking capabilities.
It can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is typically monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Therefore, the presence of data-tracking software can lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.147), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | OnlinePrivacyManager |
| Supposed Functionality | Increased browsing privacy. |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
| Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.203.60.133 |
| 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. |
PDFConvertersSearch, SearchConverterHD and MyShortcutTab are some examples of other browser hijackers. They may seem legitimate and harmless, and users are often enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionalities. Despite how good the features may sound, they are seldom operational.
In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs modify browsers, force-open untrusted and malicious websites, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns and track private information.
How did OnlinePrivacyManager install on my computer?
Some PUAs (including OnlinePrivacyManager) have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. They are also downloaded/installed with other software. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal products with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".
Rushing download/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. When clicked, they can execute script to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to research all software before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OnlinePrivacyManager, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Installation setup of OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker:
OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker (Google Chrome):
Website promoting OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker (Internet Explorer):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall OnlinePrivacyManager application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove OnlinePrivacyManager browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
OnlinePrivacyManager 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, "OnlinePrivacyManager Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
OnlinePrivacyManager 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://hp.myway.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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the onlineprivacymanager 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 "OnlinePrivacyManager" 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 OnlinePrivacyManager, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.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 "Ask Web Search", 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 onlineprivacymanager 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 "OnlinePrivacyManager", 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 OnlinePrivacyManager, remove hxxp://hp.myway.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 onlineprivacymanager 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 onlineprivacymanager 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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