Removing the My World Clock browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is My World Clock?

Our research team discovered the My World Clock browser extension while investigating dubious sites. Its promotional webpage claims that the extension provides quick access to local weather forecasts; however, it operates in line with its name – by displaying the current time in several different timezones.

After examining My World Clock, we determined that it is a browser hijacker that promotes the myworldclock.xyz fake search engine.

My World Clock browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed sites.

My World Clock makes these modifications to browsers as well. Hence, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – would result in redirects to the myworldclock.xyz website.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers commonly utilize persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal. This software may be capable of restricting access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Myworldclock.xyz led to the Bing search engine (bing.com) at the time of research. However, this website might land elsewhere since user geolocation and other factors may impact redirects.

What is more, My World Clock has data-tracking abilities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like My World Clock on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	My World Clock
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	My World Clock
Supposed Functionality	Displaying world clocks/ weather forecasts
Promoted URL	myworldclock.xyz
Detection Names (myworldclock.xyz)	CRDF (Malicious), alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (myworldclock.xyz)	104.21.68.99
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 investigated thousands of browser hijackers; Awesome Facts Tab, The Best Sports News In The World, My Sports News Extension, FoodSearchTab, World Weather – are just some examples.

This software tends to appear legitimate and offers a broad range of useful features. However, the promised functions are rarely operational. It must be mentioned that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did My World Clock install on my computer?

We acquired My World Clock from its "official" promotional page. Browser hijackers are also endorsed on scam websites. Users primarily enter these webpages via redirects caused by sites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to distribute browser-hijacking software as well. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive ads spread browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, and so on.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate/innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with My World Clock, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by My World Clock browser hijacker:

Website promoting My World Clock browser hijacker:

Appearance of myworldclock.xyz 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 My World Clock?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove My World Clock browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove myworldclock.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove myworldclock.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

My World 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

My World Clock browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove My World Clock 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 "My World 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 "My World Clock", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.myworldclock.xyz) 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 "myworldclock.xyz", 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 myworldclock.xyz 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 "My World 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 "My World Clock", remove hxxp://myworldclock.xyz 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 myworldclock.xyz 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 myworldclock.xyz 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 myworldclock.xyz website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to sites like myworldclock.xyz.

Is visiting myworldclock.xyz a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like myworldclock.xyz usually collect information about their visitors with the intent of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via online scams, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove My World Clock browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In some instances, after one is removed – the others simply reinstall it. Furthermore, this software might deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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