How to remove RecipeSearch from browsers and computers

What is hp.myway.com?

Like most browser hijackers, RecipeSearch promotes a fake search engine address by changing browser settings. In this case, it assigns them to hp.myway.com. It can also access and collect various data. Users often download and install browser hijackers inadvertently and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

RecipeSearch is a PUA developed by Mindspark Interactive Network.

RecipeSearch promotes hp.myway.com by assigning it as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. If RecipeSearch is installed on the browser, users are forced to visit hp.myway.com when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Generally, fake search engines do not generate unique results - they display those generated by other search engines (e.g., Yahoo, Google, Bing). In some cases, fake search engines do generate results, however, these can include links to other untrusted websites.

Typically, users can only remove the addresses of fake search engines when the browser hijacker designed to promote them is no longer installed. In this particular case, hp.myway.com can be removed after RecipeSearch is uninstalled. Furthermore, apps such as RecipeSearch often gather browsing-related information.

They usually target IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, etc. Some browser hijackers collect sensitive, personal details as well. The information is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in other ways.

Therefore, having such apps installed on the browser and/or computer increases the risk of identity theft, problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	RecipeSearch browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), AVG (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), 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)	RecipeSearch
Supposed Functionality	Quick access to recipe websites.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Promoted Domain	hp.myway.com
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com)	104.114.1.63
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.

To summarize, most cases browser hijackers promote fake search engine addresses and collect data. Most are advertised as useful and legitimate, and supposedly improve the browsing experience, include various features, provide quick access to websites, etc.

In fact, they are useless and designed for one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. More examples of PUAs of this type are SearchTheConverter, Appnewtab, and StreamSaloon.

How did RecipeSearch install on my computer?

Typically, users download and/or install browser hijackers (and other PUAs) when they are distributed through the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs. This PUA distribution method is called "bundling". Generally, offers to download and/or install additionally-included apps can be found and declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of set-ups.

Many users allow PUAs to infiltrate when they install software without checking and changing these settings. Some users cause unwanted downloads and installations by clicking deceptive ads advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install PUAs, before finishing the process. All software and files should be downloaded from official websites and through direct links.

Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial sites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), free file hosting pages, and other tools, sources should not be used (to download or install software). Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since they can promote/other untrusted pages or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any, unknown or suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with RecipeSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Installation setup of RecipeSearch browser hijacker:

Website promoting RecipeSearch browser hijacker (on Chrome):

Website promoting RecipeSearch browser hijacker (on Firefox):

Notification stating that RecipeSearch can read and change certain data:

Notification stating that RecipeSearch can access certain data:

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 hp.myway.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall RecipeSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove RecipeSearch 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.

RecipeSearch 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, "RecipeSearch 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.

RecipeSearch 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 recipesearch 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 "RecipeSearch" 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 RecipeSearch, 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 recipesearch 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 "RecipeSearch", 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 RecipeSearch, 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 recipesearch 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 recipesearch 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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