Removal instructions for software causing redirects to quicklyexplore.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is quicklyexplore.com?
While inspecting browser-hijacking software, our research team discovered the quicklyexplore.com fake search engine. Websites of this kind usually cannot provide search results, and while quicklyexplore.com can – they are inaccurate and may include deceptive/dangerous content.
Illegitimate search engines are commonly promoted (through redirects) by browser hijackers. Additionally, these sites and software typically collect vulnerable information.
How do browser hijackers promote quicklyexplore.com?
Browser hijackers modify browser settings by reassigning browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of their promoted websites. Therefore, with one pushing quicklyexplore.com installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to this site.
It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software tends to employ persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they tend to redirect to Bing, Yahoo, Google, and other legitimate ones. However, while quicklyexplore.com is an exception – the results it generates are inaccurate and may include sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and possibly malicious content.
It is also worth mentioning that quicklyexplore.com requested its notification delivery to be enabled at the time of research. Rogue sites use this functionality to spam users with notifications/advertisements that endorse online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware.
Furthermore, illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers typically gather user data. Information of interest may include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed pages, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information may be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Name | quicklyexplore.com 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 | 151.101.70.114 |
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). |
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; Clipbox Tab, Bizzy Beaver, Never Forget Tab – are just a few examples of the former, and newsearchera.com, searchessuggestions.com, finder-search.com – of the latter.
This software and the sites it endorses tend to appear legitimate and useful. This content lures users by offering various functionalities which are rarely operational. It must be stressed that even if a piece of software or a website works are promised – that is not proof of legitimacy or safety.
How did quicklyexplore.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.
Additionally, browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. Users typically enter such pages via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Another recommendation is to approach installation processes with caution, e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.
We advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look legitimate, they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect 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 quicklyexplore.com redirect (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 quicklyexplore.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove quicklyexplore.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove quicklyexplore.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove quicklyexplore.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Quicklyexplore.com 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Quicklyexplore.com 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.quicklyexplore.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 "quicklyexplore.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 quicklyexplore.com 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://quicklyexplore.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 quicklyexplore.com 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 quicklyexplore.com 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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit quicklyexplore.com website?
Redirects to websites like quicklyexplore.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through them.
Is visiting quicklyexplore.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like quicklyexplore.com usually collect visitor data. In many cases, the goal is to monetize the gathered information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through bundled installation setups, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (e.g., Torrent clients, eMule, etc.), spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might be ineffective, particularly in cases involving multiple browser hijackers. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.
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