How to remove Space Spiders browser hijacker

What kind of application is Space Spiders?

Our team examined Space Spiders and found that it hijacks a web browser by changing some of its settings to search.spacespiders.net - it promotes a fake search engine. It is common for browser hijackers to be promoted using shady methods. Thus, users often add browser hijackers to their browsers inadvertently.

Space Spiders browser hijacker overview

Space Spiders hijacks web browsers by setting search.spacespiders.net as the default search engine, new tab page, and homepage. It compels users to utilize search.spacespiders.net, which redirects search queries to the legitimate search engine, bing.com. However, due to search.spacespiders.net being a fake search engine, it should not be trusted.

Fake search engines often lack the reliable and comprehensive search results provided by legitimate search engines. They can display manipulated search results, leading users to unreliable or potentially harmful websites. Also, fake search engines and browser hijackers may track and collect users' browsing habits, search queries, and other personal information.

Trusting fake search engines and browser hijackers can expose users to various risks, including compromised privacy, security vulnerabilities, malware infections, and unreliable search results. Thus, it is advisable not to use Space Spiders and search.spacespiders.net.

Threat Summary:

Name	Space Spiders
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Space Spiders
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	search.spacespiders.net
Detection Names (search.spacespiders.net)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.spacespiders.net)	3.225.140.174
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. ▼ 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 hijackers in general

Browser hijackers are unwanted apps that modify web browser settings without the user's consent or knowledge. They can change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page, redirect searches, display unwanted ads, and track users' browsing activities.

They can pose risks to privacy, security, and user experience by manipulating search results, collecting personal information, and exposing users to malware. Examples of other apps categorized as browser hijackers are Calendar New Tab, Quotes Srch Tab, and Lookup for Wikipedia.

How did Space Spiders install on my computer?

Typically, users inadvertently add or install browser hijackers by downloading software from untrustworthy or malicious sources, interacting with deceptive advertisements or pop-ups, or accepting bundled software installations without carefully reviewing the terms and conditions.

In the latter case, users agree to add or install browser hijackers when they leave available settings (like "Custom" or "Advanced") available in certain installers unchanged.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Obtain software from official websites or reputable app stores to reduce the risk of bundled browser hijackers. Avoid clicking on suspicious or deceptive ads and pop-ups. During software installation, opt for custom or advanced settings to deselect any unwanted software or browser modifications that may be bundled with the desired program.

Avoid agreeing to receive notifications from suspicious web pages. If your computer is already infected with Space Spiders, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Search.spacespiders.net redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Space Spiders browser hijacker:

Website promoting Space Spiders browser hijacker:

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▼ 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 Space Spiders?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Space Spiders application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Space Spiders browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.spacespiders.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.spacespiders.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Space Spiders 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.spacespiders.net website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Space Spiders browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Space Spiders 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 "Space Spiders" 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 "Space Spiders", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.spacespiders.net) 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.spacespiders.net", 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.spacespiders.net 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 "Space Spiders", 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 "Space Spiders", remove hxxp://search.spacespiders.net 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.spacespiders.net 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.spacespiders.net 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.spacespiders.net website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit the search.spacespiders.net website is to manipulate their browsing experience and potentially generate revenue. By setting search.spacespiders.net as the default search engine, new tab page, and homepage, the operators behind the website aim to redirect users' search queries and generate traffic to search.spacespiders.net

Is visiting search.spacespiders.net a threat to my privacy?

Yes, visiting search.spacespiders.net can pose a threat to your privacy. Fake search engines like search.spacespiders.net are often designed to collect user data and track browsing activities.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

A browser hijacker can infiltrate your computer through various means, such as being bundled with freeware or shareware that you downloaded and installed. It can also be introduced through deceptive advertisements, compromised websites, or by clicking on malicious links or attachments in emails.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Space Spiders browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and effectively remove existing browser-hijacking applications. However, it is important to note that manual removal may not always be completely effective, especially in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present and they can reinstall one another. Consequently, it becomes necessary to remove all of them simultaneously to ensure complete removal.

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