Removing the like dark browser extension and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is like dark browser hijacker?
While inspecting dubious download sites, our research team discovered the like dark browser extension. This piece of software promises to enable dark mode for simple design websites.
Our analysis uncovered that the like dark extension operates as a browser hijacker. It modifies browser settings, promotes the getsins.com fake search engine, and spies on users' browsing activity.
Like dark browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers assign their search engine addresses as browsers' default, and their homepage and new tab/window URLs. like dark also changes browser settings to cause redirects to getsins.com - every time a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is typed into the URL bar.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. This also applies to getsins.com; we have observed it redirecting to Yahoo and websearches.club. However, the latter is an illegitimate search engine, and while websearches.club can provide search results - they are inaccurate and may endorse untrustworthy/malicious content.
It is noteworthy that getsins.com might redirect elsewhere since where these search engines land may depend on various factors like user geolocation.
Furthermore, browser-hijacking software tends to employ persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsera.
What is more, like dark has data tracking functionalities. Browser hijackers typically collect the following information: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be monetized through sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like like dark on browsers/systems can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | like dark |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | like dark |
| Supposed Functionality | Dark mode for simple websites |
| Promoted URL | getsins.com |
| Detection Names (getsins.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (getsins.com) | 104.21.82.211 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
Baro Ds, Mini Dark, Apollo Tab - are just a few examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed. They appear legitimate and lure users into download/installation with "handy" functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did like dark install on my computer?
We acquired like dark from a deceptive download page. Sites of this kind are rarely accessed intentionally. Most enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, or installed adware.
Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts are used to spread browser-hijacking software as well. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and always downloading from official/verified sources. Additionally, when installing - it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.
We advise exercising caution when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content tends to look harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with like dark, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting like dark browser hijacker:
Appearance of getsins.com redirecting to the websearches.club fake 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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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 like dark?
- STEP 1. Uninstall like dark application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove like dark browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove getsins.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove getsins.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Like dark 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, "like dark"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the getsins.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Like dark 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 "like dark" 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 "like dark", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.getsins.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 "getsins.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 getsins.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 "like dark", 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 "like dark", remove hxxp://getsins.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 getsins.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 getsins.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit getsins.com website?
Browser hijackers cause redirects to fake search engines (e.g., getsins.com) since the developers generate revenue through them.
Is visiting getsins.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like getsins.com usually collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are most commonly spread through deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and third-party download websites, software bundling, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, and fake updates.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove like dark browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective in cases when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some instances, when one browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Hence, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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