Removal instructions for the Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Bookmark Drag and Drop?
While checking out suspicious software promoting sites, our research team discovered the Bookmark Drag and Drop browser extension. It is endorsed as a bookmark management and quick access tool.
Our inspection of Bookmark Drag and Drop revealed that it operates as a browser hijacker. This extension modifies browser settings to cause redirects and collects sensitive information.
Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers typically change browser settings by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the default, as well as the homepage and new browser tab/window URLs. It is noteworthy that fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to genuine ones.
However, when we tested Bookmark Drag and Drop - it reset the aforementioned settings to the legitimate Bing search engine (bing.com). Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - resulted in redirects to Bing.
Additionally, it is worth noting that where the redirects caused by Bookmark Drag and Drop land may vary based on various factors like user geolocation.
Browser-hijacking software tends to use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers; Bookmark Drag and Drop is not an exception to this.
Furthermore, Bookmark Drag and Drop spies on users' browsing activity. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of software like Bookmark Drag and Drop on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Bookmark Drag and Drop |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Bookmark Drag and Drop |
| Supposed Functionality | Browser bookmark management and quick access tool |
| Promoted URL | bing.com |
| 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
Secure Search Pro, Searchproonline.com, TabsMode, Smilebox Tab - are merely a few examples of browser hijackers that we have analyzed thoroughly. Browser-hijacking software typically appears ordinary and harmless. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did Bookmark Drag and Drop install on my computer?
Bookmark Drag and Drop has an "official" promotional webpage, from which we obtained it. It is worth noting that browser hijackers are also endorsed on scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Furthermore, when installing, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additional apps, tools, extensions, etc.
We advise being cautious when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Bookmark Drag and Drop, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker:
Websites promoting Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker:
Sample 1:
Sample 2:
Appearance of the Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker causing a redirect to Bing (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 Bookmark Drag and Drop?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Bookmark Drag and Drop application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Bookmark Drag and Drop 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, "Bookmark Drag and Drop"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which causes redirects), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Bookmark Drag and Drop 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 "Bookmark Drag and Drop" and other 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 "Bookmark Drag and Drop", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.com", 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 bookmark drag and drop 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 extensions 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 "Bookmark Drag and Drop", as well as 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 "Bookmark Drag and Drop", remove hxxp://bing.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 "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 bookmark drag and drop 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 bookmark drag and drop 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 bing.com website?
Developers of browser hijackers generate revenue through caused redirects.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through misleading promotional webpages, scam sites, P2P sharing networks, freeware and free file-hosting websites, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Bookmark Drag and Drop browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In cases when multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is eliminated - the others may simply re-install it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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