Removing the Lookup for Wikipedia browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Lookup for Wikipedia?
While examining suspicious sites, our research team discovered the Lookup for Wikipedia browser extension. It is presented as an easy-access tool to Wikipedia, which is also capable of saving the search history of this online encyclopedia.
However, after analyzing this extension, we determine that it is a browser hijacker. Lookup for Wikipedia promotes the lookcompwiki.com fake search engine.
Lookup for Wikipedia browser hijacker overview
On our test machine, Lookup for Wikipedia reassigned the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to the lookcompwiki.com site. Therefore, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in a redirect to lookcompwiki.com.
Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of generating search results, so they tend to redirect to genuine Internet search websites. Lookcompwiki.com is not an exception, and at the time of research, it redirected via youaresearching.com to the Google search engine. It is noteworthy that lookcompwiki.com might land elsewhere since redirects may be influenced by factors like user geolocation.
Browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Furthermore, this software usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to Lookup for Wikipedia. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Lookup for Wikipedia on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Lookup for Wikipedia |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names (deceptive installer) | Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Hulk.Gen.9), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win64/Packed.VMProtect.J S), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Agent.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Lookup for Wikipedia |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to and saving the search history of Wikipedia. |
| Promoted URL | lookcompwiki.com |
| Detection Names (lookcompwiki.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (lookcompwiki.com) | 104.21.63.2 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have investigated countless browser hijackers; Motivational Quotes, Wingman Clock, and Kryopage are just a few examples of our latest finds.
This software rarely appears suspicious or harmful. It tends to look legitimate and useful. However, the promised functionalities usually serve the purpose of bait that tricks users into downloading/installing the extension or app. Hence, the features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Lookup for Wikipedia install on my computer?
We obtained Lookup for Wikipedia from its "official" promotional pages]. In addition to such webpages, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam websites. Most visitors to these pages enter them inadvertently, predominantly via redirects generated by sites that employ rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute browser-hijacking software. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Intrusive adverts spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these advertisements 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/verified channels. Installation of processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, features, and so forth.
We advise vigilance while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
Should you keep experiencing such advertisements and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Lookup for Wikipedia, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Lookup for Wikipedia browser hijacker:
Appearance of lookcompwiki.com redirecting (via youaresearching.com) to Google (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 Lookup for Wikipedia?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Lookup for Wikipedia browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove lookcompwiki.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove lookcompwiki.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Lookup for Wikipedia 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.
Lookup for Wikipedia 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Lookup for Wikipedia" 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 "Lookup for Wikipedia", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.lookcompwiki.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 "lookcompwiki.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 lookcompwiki.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 "Lookup for Wikipedia", 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 "Lookup for Wikipedia", remove hxxp://lookcompwiki.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 lookcompwiki.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 lookcompwiki.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 lookcompwiki.com website?
Redirects to websites like lookcompwiki.com are caused because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through them.
Is visiting lookcompwiki.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Sites of this kind typically collect and sell visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
The most widely used distribution techniques include: bundled installers, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Lookup for Wikipedia browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. When multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, this software might be capable of denying access to removal-related settings. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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