Removal instructions for software that causes redirects to cleanmode.xyz
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is cleanmode.xyz?
Cleanmode.xyz is the address of a fake search engine. Sites within this classification cannot provide search results and redirect to legitimate ones. Illegitimate search engines are typically promoted (via redirects) by browser hijackers. These sites and the software endorsing them tend to collect user information.
How do browser hijackers promote cleanmode.xyz?
Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as browsers' default, as well as their homepages and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with one promoting cleanmode.xyz installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – would result in redirects to this website.
As previously mentioned, illegitimate search engines cannot generate search results, and this is true of cleanmode.xyz. At the time of research, this site redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, cleanmode.xyz might land elsewhere since redirects can be determined by various factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).
Furthermore, browser-hijacking software typically employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
What is more, fake search engines and browser hijackers usually have data-tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed pages, IP addresses (geolocations), Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can be monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | cleanmode.xyz 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 | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 13.249.141.87 |
| 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
Browsing-shield.xyz, crazyresultsnow.com, mysearchexperts.com, firstinearch.com – are just some examples of fake search engines we have inspected recently, and Clipbox Tab, Bizzy Beaver, Qwik Search, Never Forget Tab – of browser hijackers.
These websites and the software endorsing them usually appear legitimate and useful. However, they rarely operate as advertised. Note that even if a site or a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did cleanmode.xyz promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled – packed together – with ordinary software. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional pages, and it is pushed via scam sites as well. Most users access such webpages through redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Intrusive advertisements are also used to distribute browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of additional apps, extensions, features, etc.
We advise being careful when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content typically appears ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive adverts may look legitimate yet 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 cleanmode.xyz redirecting to the Bing 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 cleanmode.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove cleanmode.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove cleanmode.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove cleanmode.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Cleanmode.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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Cleanmode.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 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.cleanmode.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 "cleanmode.xyz", 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 cleanmode.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 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://cleanmode.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 "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 cleanmode.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 cleanmode.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 cleanmode.xyz website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like cleanmode.xyz.
Is visiting cleanmode.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like cleanmode.xyz typically collect (and sell) visitor information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution, especially in cases when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the device. Since after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software present. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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