How to remove the Package Tracker Express browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Package Tracker Express?
Package Tracker Express is a piece of rogue software, which is endorsed as a tool for easy access to package/mail tracking services. It operates by making modifications to browser settings - to promote the packagetrackerexpress.com fake search engine.
Due to its behavior, Package Tracker Express is classified as a browser hijacker. Typically users download/install Package Tracker Express inadvertently, hence it is also deemed to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). Most of these apps have data tracking abilities that are used to collect browsing-related information.
Package Tracker Express likely has such functionalities as well.
Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Package Tracker Express also makes these alterations to browsers in promotion of packagetrackerexpress.com.
To elaborate on how browser hijacker presence affects browsing, for example, with Package Tracker Express installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to packagetrackerexpress.com.
Illegitimate web searchers are seldom able to provide search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other genuine search engines. Packagetrackerexpress.com is not an exception to this; it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com).
Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browsers' settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it. Most PUAs (browser hijackers included) can track data.
They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details). PUA developers monetize the collected data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, data-tracking software can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - must be eliminated immediately upon detection.
| Name | Package Tracker Express |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Package Tracker Express, Package Tracker Express BETA EXTENSION |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to package tracking services |
| Promoted URL | packagetrackerexpress.com |
| Serving IP Address (packagetrackerexpress.com) | 104.31.64.218 |
| 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. |
PDFConverterSearchPro, TopSearchConverter, QuickTab Plus, MovieSearchTool, and AllMusicSearches are some examples of browser hijackers. They usually appear legitimate and offer various "useful" functionalities. However, the advertised features are seldom operational.
In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. Functionality and user privacy are irrelevant, as unwanted apps' only goal is to generate profit for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and collect vulnerable information.
How did Package Tracker Express install on my computer?
PUAs are spread via download/installation setups of other products. This false marketing method of packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install these applications. Select PUAs have "official" promotional/download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to always research products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to various unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with Package Tracker Express, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Package Tracker Express browser hijacker asking for permissions:
Appearance of packagetrackerexpress.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
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 Package Tracker Express?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Package Tracker Express application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Package Tracker Express browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove packagetrackerexpress.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove packagetrackerexpress.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove packagetrackerexpress.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
Package Tracker Express 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, "Package Tracker Express"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the packagetrackerexpress.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Package Tracker Express browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Package Tracker Express BETA EXTENSION" 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 "Package Tracker Express" (or "Package Tracker Express BETA EXTENSION"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.packagetrackerexpress.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 "packagetrackerexpress.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 packagetrackerexpress.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Package Tracker Express", 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 "Package Tracker Express", remove hxxp://packagetrackerexpress.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 packagetrackerexpress.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 packagetrackerexpress.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.
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://packagetrackerexpress.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 "Package Tracker Express".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the packagetrackerexpress.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.
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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