How to eliminate redirects to ginmule.xyz and software causing them?

What is the ginmule.xyz website?

Ginmule.xyz is a fraudulent search engine. Web searchers of this type are usually promoted by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) within the browser hijacker classification.

The ginmule.xyz web searcher has been observed being pushed by a rogue browser extension misleadingly titled "Chrome". It is worth noting that this browser hijacker uses sophisticated persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

How do browser hijackers promote ginmule.xyz?

Most browser hijackers operate by assigning fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

While the fake "Chrome" extension that pushes ginmule.xyz - does not operate in this manner, it (or others that promote this search engine) might modify browsers as described above.

Illegitimate web searchers are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) genuine ones. This applies to ginmule.xyz as well; it redirects to the legitimate Bing search engine (possibly others).

Browser hijackers typically use persistence-ensuring tactics. In case of the bogus "Chrome" extension, it displays a fake Google Chrome extensions list ("chrome-extension://[user's_ID]/extensions.html"), thereby denying access to the real list ("chrome://extensions/"). Additionally, this rogue extension might use the "Managed by your organization" Chrome feature.

What is more, hijacker software often has data tracking abilities. Browser hijackers can record users' browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive data inferred from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The gathered information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties. In summary, this software can cause severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	ginmule.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	"Chrome" (sans quotation marks)
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names (ginmule.xyz)	N/A (VirusTotal)
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.

Fake search engines and browser hijackers in general

Ginmule.xyz is practically identical to musttrust.xyz and peatea.xyz, and similar to kwiqsearch.com, search.hidesearch.bid, e-searches.com, ctcodeinfo.com, and thousands of other fraudulent search engines. There are likewise countless browser hijackers; GoCouponSearch, Venus Tab, and My Togo are but a few examples.

These web searchers and hijacker software appear legitimate and can offer "handy" features, which are seldom operational. In fact, this is true of nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted apps can hijack browsers, force-open sites, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and gather private information.

How did ginmule.xyz promoting software install on my computer?

PUAs are spread using the "bundling" technique - packing regular programs with various supplements. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Some PUAs also have "official" download webpages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download it from official/verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing networks, unofficial and freeware websites, etc. - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with such adverts and/or redirects, the device must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Appearance of ginmule.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Screenshot of the "Chrome" browser hijacker's manual removal from Google Chrome:

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 ginmule.xyz?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove ginmule.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove ginmule.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove ginmule.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

ginmule.xyz redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the ginmule.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

ginmule.xyz redirect 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them. Note that the fake "Chrome" browser hijacker (one of those that promote ginmule.xyz) denies access to the extensions list by displaying a fake one; "Chrome" browser extension removal steps can be found above.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ginmule.xyz) 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 "ginmule.xyz" 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 ginmule.xyz 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 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 all 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 remove hxxp://ginmule.xyz 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 ginmule.xyz 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 ginmule.xyz 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit ginmule.xyz website?

Cyber criminals' financial gain is directly dependent on ginmule.xyz website's visitor count.

Is visiting ginmule.xyz a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like ginmule.xyz typically collect information about their visitors, thereby making visiting them - a threat to privacy.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed through misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, software bundling, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, fake installers/updaters, and so forth.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating browser-hijacking apps detected. On the other hand, manual removal might not be effective when multiple browser hijackers are present. In such cases, when one is removed - the others might re-install it. Additionally, this software can restrict or deny access to removal-related settings. Hence, it is crucial to remove all browser hijackers thoroughly and at once.

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