How to uninstall the Access Online Forms browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the Access Online Forms browser hijacker?
Access Online Forms is a rogue application advertised as a tool for easy access to printable bank and application forms. This app makes changes to browsers to promote haccessonlineforms.com (a fake search engine). Additionally, it monitors users' browsing habits.
Due to this behavior, Access Online Forms is classified as a browser hijacker. Since most users download/install this software inadvertently, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Access Online Forms is often distributed with another PUA called Quick Search Tool.
Browser hijackers mainly target popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. These dubious apps assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Access Online Forms makes these modifications to browsers as well to promote haccessonlineforms.com.
Therefore, with this app installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar redirect to haccessonlineforms.com. In this way, browser hijackers significantly affect the browsing experience. Rogue search engines are rarely able to provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate sites.
This is the case with the web searcher promoted by Access Online Forms (haccessonlineforms.com), which redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com), a genuine search engine. Furthermore, browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and can restrict/deny access to the browser settings.
As mentioned, Access Online Forms has data tracking capabilities. It can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed web pages, searched queries, etc.) and extract information of interest from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data usually contains personally identifiable information.
Furthermore, browser hijacker developers monetize such information by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on browsers/systems can lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.
| Name | Access Online Forms |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), Fortinet (Adware/Websearch), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentia), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.WebSearch), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Browser Extension(s) | Access Online Forms |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to various forms. |
| Promoted URL | haccessonlineforms.com |
| Serving IP Address (haccessonlineforms.com) | 52.6.122.171 |
| 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. |
MovieTab Pro, SearchWorld, Road Maps & Traffic and Play Game Now are some examples of other browser hijackers. They may seem legitimate and innocuous, and users are lured into download/installation with offers of various functionality, however, these features rarely work as promised and, in most cases, do not work at all.
This applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs modify browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and/or gather private data.
How did Access Online Forms install on my computer?
Certain PUAs (including Access Online Forms) have "official" promotional sites, from which they can be obtained. These applications can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using "Express/Quick" options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive ads can infiltrate PUAs into systems as well. Once clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are strongly advised to research all products before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to highly dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you encounter ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with Access Online Forms, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Access Online Forms browser hijacker installation setup:
Access Online Forms browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting Access Online Forms browser hijacker:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Access Online Forms?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Access Online Forms application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove haccessonlineforms.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Access Online Forms browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove haccessonlineforms.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove haccessonlineforms.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Access Online Forms 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, "Access Online Forms"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the haccessonlineforms.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Access Online Forms 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://haccessonlineforms.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 "Access Online Forms".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the haccessonlineforms.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 "Access Online Forms" 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 "Access Online Forms", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.haccessonlineforms.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 "haccessonlineforms.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 haccessonlineforms.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 "Access Online Forms", 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 "Access Online Forms", remove hxxp://haccessonlineforms.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 haccessonlineforms.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 haccessonlineforms.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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