Removing browser-hijacking software that causes redirects to driversgalaxy.co
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is driversgalaxy.co?
While inspecting dubious installation setups, we found a piece of software promoting the driversgalaxy.co fake search engine. Websites of this kind are promoted by browser hijackers, which achieve this by making alterations to browser settings.
While driversgalaxy.co can provide search results, they are inaccurate and may contain dubious/malicious content. Additionally, this search engine likely collects information about its visitors.
How do browser hijackers promote driversgalaxy.co?
Browser-hijacking software assigns illegitimate search engine addresses (e.g., driversgalaxy.co) as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, whenever a Web search is performed via the URL bar or a new browser tab/window is opened - it results in a redirect to the promoted website (e.g., driversgalaxy.co).
Furthermore, browser hijackers are often capable of restricting access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Hence, a hijacked browser can only be recovered by removing the software affecting it.
Unlike most fake search engines, driversgalaxy.co can generate search results, but they are inaccurate and may endorse unreliable/harmful content.
What is more, fraudulent search engines and browser hijackers are known to collect vulnerable data. Information of interest can include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed webpages, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of browser hijackers on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | driversgalaxy.co browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 146.75.106.114 |
| 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. |
Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers and fake search engines; UltraCouponSearch, Mondy Search, and Get Colors are merely a few examples of the former, while smartsearchresults.com, travelsearchexpert.com, activesearchbar.me - of the latter.
Browser-hijacking software and its search engines usually look legitimate and offer "useful" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did driversgalaxy.co promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are endorsed through dubious download webpages and scam sites. Most users enter these websites via redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Furthermore, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Additionally, when installing, it is crucial to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.
We advise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appear legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of the driversgalaxy.co 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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Quick menu:
- What is driversgalaxy.co?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove driversgalaxy.co browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove driversgalaxy.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove driversgalaxy.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Driversgalaxy.co 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 driversgalaxy.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Driversgalaxy.co 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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.driversgalaxy.co) 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 "driversgalaxy.co", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the driversgalaxy.co 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://driversgalaxy.co 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 driversgalaxy.co 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 driversgalaxy.co 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 driversgalaxy.co website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to driversgalaxy.co and similar sites.
Is visiting driversgalaxy.co a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like driversgalaxy.co usually collect (and sell) visitors' data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly proliferated through dubious promotional webpages, software bundling, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In such cases, after one browser hijacker is removed - the others may re-install it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software present. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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