How to remove Focusio browser hijacker and the redirects it generates
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Focusio?
While investigating suspicious websites, our research team discovered Focusio. This browser extension makes changes to browser settings in order to generate redirects to promoted sites. Additionally, Focusio spies on users' browsing activity. Due to this behavior, it is classified as a browser hijacker.
Focusio browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers assign promoted websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Typically, this software pushes fake search engines, which cannot generate search results and lead to legitimate Internet search sites.
However, with Focusio installed, whenever we entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is pertinent to mention that Focusio might cause redirects to other sites since that may be determined by factors like user geolocation.
Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be able to deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes – thus ensuring its persistence.
What is more, Focusio has some manner of data-tracking functionalities. Browser hijackers usually target the following data: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. The collected data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, the presence of software like Focusio on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Focusio |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Focusio |
| Promoted URL | bing.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). |
| 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; Tally Tab, Sqoo search engine, Bigoloo, Volume Extra, Lookup for Wikipedia – are just some examples.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and useful. It also promises a wide variety of handy features, which are rarely operational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not proof of legitimacy or safety.
How did Focusio install on my computer?
Focusio has an "official" promotional webpage, from which we obtained this extension. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam websites. Users primarily access these webpages via redirects generated by sites that employ rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can be bundled with ordinary programs as well. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Furthermore, intrusive advertisements can infiltrate browser hijackers into systems. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software before downloading/installing it. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary applications, extensions, tools, and so on.
We also advise being careful while browsing since fake and dangerous online content tends to appear legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive advertisements redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
If you keep experiencing such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Focusio, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Focusio browser hijacker:
Website promoting Focusio browser hijacker:
Appearance of Focusio browser hijacker 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Focusio?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Focusio browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Focusio 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.
Focusio browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Focusio 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Focusio" 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 "Focusio", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 focusio 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 "Focusio", 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 "Focusio", remove hxxp://bing.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 focusio 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 focusio 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 bing.com website?
Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects. In some cases, legitimate content is promoted through redirects because criminals seek to fraudulently obtain commissions for the endorsement.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
The most widely used proliferation methods include: deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, online scams, P2P sharing networks, bundled installers, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Focusio browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all of the browser-hijacking apps present. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Hence, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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