Removal instructions for the Online Video Platforms browser hijacker

What kind of software is Online Video Platforms?

Our research team found the Online Video Platforms browser extension while investigating suspicious sites. It is promoted as an easy-access tool to popular online platforms. However, our inspection of this piece of software revealed that it is a browser hijacker. Online Video Platforms operates by modifying browsers to cause redirects to the search.online-video-platforms.com fake search engine.

Online Video Platforms browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, Online Video Platforms assigned search.online-video-platforms.com as the browser's default search engine, new browser tab/window, and homepage. Due to these modifications, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to this website.

Like most illegitimate search engines, search.online-video-platforms.com cannot generate search results and redirects to a genuine one. At the time of research, search.online-video-platforms.com lead to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that it might redirect elsewhere since that may depend on factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers, and Online Video Platforms is not an exception.

What is more, this rogue browser extension likely spies on users' browsing activity. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. This sensitive information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Online Video Platforms on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Online Video Platforms
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Online Video Platforms
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to popular online video platforms
Promoted URL	search.online-video-platforms.com
Detection Names (search.online-video-platforms.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.online-video-platforms.com)	54.68.145.24
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).
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Cosmic, My Weather, Airplanes - New Tab, Cool Facts, and Ring are just some examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of various functionalities, which are rarely operational. However, even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did Online Video Platforms install on my computer?

We obtained Online Video Platforms from its "official" download page. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are promoted on scam webpages. Most users enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

Furthermore, "bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to proliferate browser-hijacking software. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are also used to distribute browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official and verified sources. It is essential to approach installation with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary/innocuous yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

If you keep experiencing adverts/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Online Video Platforms, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Online Video Platforms browser hijacker:

Website promoting Online Video Platforms browser hijacker:

Appearance of search.online-video-platforms.com redirecting 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 Online Video Platforms?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Online Video Platforms browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.online-video-platforms.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.online-video-platforms.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Online Video Platforms 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, 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.

Online Video Platforms 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 "Online Video Platforms" 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 "Online Video Platforms", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.online-video-platforms.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 "search.online-video-platforms.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 search.online-video-platforms.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 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 "Online Video Platforms", 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 "Online Video Platforms", remove hxxp://search.online-video-platforms.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 search.online-video-platforms.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 search.online-video-platforms.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on search.online-video-platforms.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.online-video-platforms.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to websites like search.online-video-platforms.com.

Is visiting search.online-video-platforms.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like search.online-video-platforms.com typically collect user data. This information can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed through deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Online Video Platforms browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Hence, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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