Removal instructions for the Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker

What is Tropical Horizons Wallpapers?

Our researchers found the Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser extension while inspecting deceptive websites. This piece of software promises to display tropics-themed wallpapers. However, our investigation revealed that Tropical Horizons Wallpapers operates as a browser hijacker, i.e., it makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the search.tropicalhorizonext.com fake search engine.

Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Tropical Horizons Wallpapers modifies browsers in this manner as well. Therefore, with it installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to the search.tropicalhorizonext.com site.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software can restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. This rogue browser extension also employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal.

Illegitimate search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, search.tropicalhorizonext.com lead the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation can impact redirects.

Furthermore, Tropical Horizons Wallpapers spies on users' browsing activity. Browser hijackers typically collect the following information: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The gathered data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Tropical Horizons Wallpapers on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Tropical Horizons Wallpapers
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Tropical Horizons Wallpapers
Supposed Functionality	Tropical wallpaper display
Promoted URL	search.tropicalhorizonext.com
Detection Names (search.tropicalhorizonext.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.tropicalhorizonext.com)	172.67.167.179
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 thousands of browser hijackers; Homerun Extension, Oceans - New Tab, Yearn New Tab, eBook Search, and CovidDash are merely some of our newest finds.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and harmless. It also offers a broad range of useful functionalities, which are usually nonoperational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Tropical Horizons Wallpapers install on my computer?

We obtained Tropical Horizons Wallpapers from a deceptive webpage. In addition to various scam sites, browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages. Most users access such websites via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements are used to spread 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 advise researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. It is essential to treat installation processes with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and dangerous content usually appears legitimate. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

If you keep experiencing advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Tropical Horizons Wallpapers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker:

Appearance of search.tropicalhorizonext.com 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:
▼ 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 Tropical Horizons Wallpapers?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.tropicalhorizonext.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.tropicalhorizonext.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Tropical Horizons Wallpapers 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.

Tropical Horizons Wallpapers 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 "Tropical Horizons Wallpapers" 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 "Tropical Horizons Wallpapers", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.tropicalhorizonext.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.tropicalhorizonext.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.tropicalhorizonext.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 "Tropical Horizons Wallpapers", 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 "Tropical Horizons Wallpapers", remove hxxp://search.tropicalhorizonext.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.tropicalhorizonext.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.tropicalhorizonext.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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.tropicalhorizonext.com website?

Redirects to websites like search.tropicalhorizonext.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting search.tropicalhorizonext.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like search.tropicalhorizonext.com usually collect visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Tropical Horizons Wallpapers browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned 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. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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