How to remove Wingman Clock browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Wingman Clock?
During our investigation of the Wingman Clock browser extension, we discovered that it operates as a browser hijacker - it is designed to modify web browser settings. Our team encountered Wingman Clock on a suspicious website. It is unusual for users to download and install (or add) browser hijackers intentionally.
Wingman Clock browser hijacker overview
Wingman Clock, a browser extension, is known for promoting search.yahoo.com, a trusted search engine. However, it operates as a browser hijacker by modifying the settings of the user's web browser. Once added, Wingman Clock changes the default search engine, homepage, or new tab page to redirect the user's searches to search.yahoo.com.
Browser hijackers such as Wingman Clock are commonly viewed as undesirable software due to their ability to disrupt the user's browsing experience and compromise privacy. They often exhibit behaviors like displaying excessive advertisements and tracking user activities for marketing purposes.
When coming across browser extensions like Wingman Clock, it is recommended to exercise caution and thoroughly assess their permissions and reputation before installation. If you suspect that your browser has been impacted by Wingman Clock or any other browser hijacker, it is advisable to uninstall the extension and restore your browser settings to their previous state.
| Name | Wingman Clock |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Wingman Clock |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.yahoo.com |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
The difficulty of removing a browser hijacker can vary depending on the specific hijacker and its persistence. While some browser hijackers can be removed easily, others may require more advanced steps. It is important to keep in mind that these types of apps are often promoted and distributed using questionable methods.
More examples of apps that hijack browsers are Kryopage, The Nature Art, and Plantastic Tab.
How did Wingman Clock install on my computer?
Users may unknowingly install or add browser hijackers when downloading and installing software from unreliable or malicious sources (e.g., deceptive pages). Clicking on deceptive ads or pop-ups can also lead to the installation of browser hijackers. These ads may claim to offer useful features or software updates but, instead, trick users into downloading and installing the hijacker.
Also, users may encounter browser hijackers as part of bundled software installations. Users may overlook or hastily accept additional software offers when installing legitimate software without realizing that a browser hijacker is included.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Obtain all software from reputable and trusted sources (e.g., official pages and legitimate stores). When installing applications, carefully review downloaders and installers, and be sure to deselect any unwanted or unnecessary software. Regularly update your system, browsers, and security software to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Exercise caution when encountering suspicious links and advertisements, and be mindful of visiting untrusted websites that may harbor harmful software. If your computer is already infected with Wingman Clock, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
The appearance of Wingman Clock browser hijacker (GIF):
Permissions asked by Wingman Clock browser hijacker:
Websites promoting Wingman Clock browser hijacker:
Sample 1:
Sample 2:
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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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 Wingman Clock?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Wingman Clock application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Wingman Clock browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.yahoo.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.yahoo.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Wingman Clock 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 (which cause browser redirects to the search.yahoo.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Wingman Clock 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 "Wingman Clock" 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 "Wingman Clock", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.yahoo.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.yahoo.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 wingman clock 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 "Wingman Clock", 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 "Wingman Clock", remove hxxp://search.yahoo.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 wingman clock 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 wingman clock 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 visit search.yahoo.com website?
It can be a way to generate traffic and potentially earn revenue through advertising or affiliate partnerships with Yahoo. Some browser hijackers may also aim to collect user data or track user activities on search.yahoo.com for marketing or other purposes.
Is visiting search.yahoo.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting search.yahoo.com itself is not inherently a threat to your privacy. Yahoo is a reputable search engine and takes privacy seriously.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly spread through browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, software bundles, deceptive pages, and similar methods.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Wingman Clock browser hijacker?
Manual removal may not always be effective. In some cases, multiple browser hijackers can be present and reinstall each other, and certain settings may be locked while a hijacker is active. It is recommended to remove all hijackers simultaneously to ensure complete removal. Combo Cleaner can automatically remove browser-hijacking applications from your computer.
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