How to remove the Movies Hunt adware-type browser extension?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Movies Hunt?
Movies Hunt is a rogue browser extension promoted as a tool for easy movie content search options. Supposedly, this piece of software is capable of displaying search results for movies on New on Netflix, HBO, IMDB, and Rotten Tomatoes via the context menu (drop-down right-click menu).
Movies Hunt is categorized as adware due to running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., delivering misleading and malicious ads). Additionally, it has data tracking abilities that are used to spy on users' browsing activity.
Due to the questionable techniques employed to distribute adware products, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements. They can be placed on any visited website and/or different interfaces.
The ads seriously diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpage content and slowing down the browsing speed. Intrusive adverts are more than just a minor annoyance, since they promote deceptive/dangerous material and can infiltrate software into systems.
Once clicked on, these ads redirect to various websites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs). Furthermore, Movies Hunt can track data, which is typical of adware.
It can record browsing activity (URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | Ads by Movies Hunt |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Browser Extension(s) | Movies Hunt |
Supposed Functionality | Movie content search options via context (right-click) menu. |
Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
New Tab Explorer — Explore the Web on New Tab, YoutubeDownloader, Free Xbox Codes 2021- Xbox Gift card codes, and Mie Player are some examples of adware. It usually appears legitimate and offers a wide variety of "useful" functionalities.
However, despite how good the promised features may sound - they are rarely operational. In fact, this is true of practically all PUAs. The only purpose of unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are irrelevant.
PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive advert campaigns, force-open unreliable and malicious websites, modify browsers (browser hijackers), and gather private and vulnerable information.
How did Movies Hunt install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g., Movies Hunt) have "official" promotional/download pages. These applications are also spread through downloaders/installers of other programs.
This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources.
Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content. Download/installation processes have to be treated with care.
Therefore, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads appear legitimate, however, they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).
In case of encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with Movies Hunt, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Movies Hunt adware asking for data-tracking permissions:
Movies Hunt adware promoting website:
Deceptive website used to promote Movies Hunt adware:
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 Movies Hunt?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Movies Hunt application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Movies Hunt ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Movies Hunt' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Movies Hunt extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove Movies Hunt adware from Internet Explorer.
Movies Hunt adware 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 "Movies Hunt", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Movies Hunt ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Movies Hunt adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 "Movies Hunt", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by movies hunt, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Movies Hunt".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by movies hunt 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by movies hunt, 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 "Movies Hunt", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by movies hunt, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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