How to remove the CovidDash browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

What is CovidDash?

During a routine investigation of suspicious websites, our research team discovered a malicious setup promoting the CovidDash (full title "CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University") browser extension. It is endorsed as a tool for easy access to information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker and causes redirects to the coviddashboard.extjourney.com fake search engine.

It is pertinent to mention that the installer also promoted the "Abnormal Network Traffic On This Device" scam.

CovidDash browser hijacker overview

CovidDash changes the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new browser tab/window URLs to the coviddashboard.extjourney.com website. With this browser hijacker installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed via the URL bar – result in redirects to the coviddashboard.extjourney.com site.

Fake search engines are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones.

At the time of research, coviddashboard.extjourney.com caused a redirection chain that went through clickcrystal.com and finally landed on the gsearch.co site. The latter is also an illegitimate search engine; however, it can generate search results that are inaccurate and include sponsored, untrustworthy, deceptive, and potentially harmful content.

Browser-hijacking software often complicates its removal by denying access to relevant settings and/or by undoing user-made changes. CovidDash also employs persistence-ensuring techniques.

Furthermore, this browser extension spies on users' browsing activity. Data of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The collected data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of software like CovidDash on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	CovidDash
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (malicious setup)	Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Hulk.Gen.5), Emsisoft (Trojan.Hulk.Gen.5 (B)), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Agent.gen), Sophos (Mal/VMProtBad-A), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University; CovidDash
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promoted URL	coviddashboard.extjourney.com
Detection Names (coviddashboard.extjourney.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (coviddashboard.extjourney.com)	104.21.66.67
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 inspected numerous browser hijackers; Cloud Weather, Webb Telescope - New Tab, and Yearn New Tab are merely a couple of examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers handy functions. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It is noteworthy that even if a piece of software operates as promised – that is not a guarantee of its legitimacy or safety.

How did CovidDash install on my computer?

CovidDash has been observed being endorsed by a malicious installer, and this browser extension has an "official" promotional webpage. However, it might be pushed using other techniques as well.

Deceptive pages that endorse browser hijackers are primarily accessed via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Rogue installation setups and bundled installers (containing ordinary programs and unwanted/malicious additions) are also used to distribute browser-hijacking software.

Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled/harmful content into the system.

Additionally, browser hijackers are spread by intrusive adverts. When clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/trustworthy channels. Furthermore, installation must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We advise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by CovidDash browser hijacker:

CovidDash browser hijacker's "official" promotional website:

Appearance of coviddashboard.extjourney.com redirecting via clickcrystal.com to gsearch.co (GIF):

Deceptive website promoting the malicious installer which injects CovidDash browser hijacker:

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 CovidDash?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove CovidDash browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove coviddashboard.extjourney.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove coviddashboard.extjourney.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

CovidDash 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.

CovidDash browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove CovidDash browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University" (or simply "CovidDash") 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 "CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University"(or simply "CovidDash"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.coviddashboard.extjourney.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 "coviddashboard.extjourney.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 coviddashboard.extjourney.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 "CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University" (or simply "CovidDash"), 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 "CovidDash at Johns Hopkins University" (or simply "CovidDash"), remove hxxp://coviddashboard.extjourney.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 coviddashboard.extjourney.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 coviddashboard.extjourney.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 coviddashboard.extjourney.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 coviddashboard.extjourney.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like coviddashboard.extjourney.com.

Is visiting coviddashboard.extjourney.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like coviddashboard.extjourney.com usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

CovidDash browser hijacker has been noted being promoted by a malicious setup, and it has an "official" download webpage. However, software within this classification is distributed using other methods as well. The most widely used techniques include: online scams, untrustworthy download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), bundled installers, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove CovidDash browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion