How to remove MySites browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is MySites?

While investigating dubious webpages, our research team found the MySites browser extension. This piece of software promises to provide quick access to users' most frequently visited websites. Our analysis revealed that this extension alters browser settings in order to generate redirects to the goog.mysitesext.com fake search engine. Due to this, MySites is categorized as a browser hijacker.

MySites browser hijacker overview

MySites modifies the following browser settings – homepage, new browser tab/window URL, and default search engine. With a browser hijacker installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the promoted website. In the case of MySites, the redirects land on goog.mysitesext.com.

However, illegitimate search engines cannot provide search results, so they tend to redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, goog.mysitesext.com led to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this site could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-make changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, MySites spies on users' browsing activity. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

In summary, browser-hijacking software like MySites may cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	MySites
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	MySites
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to most frequently visited websites
Promoted URL	goog.mysitesext.com
Detection Names (goog.mysitesext.com)	Combo Cleaner (Malware), CRDF (Malicious), CyRadar (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), G-Data (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (goog.mysitesext.com)	172.67.132.64
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 examined thousands of browser hijackers; The Big 5, Foxy Tab, and Forestab are just a couple of examples. This software usually appears ordinary and useful. However, its functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

Note that even if a browser extension or application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did MySites install on my computer?

We acquired MySites from a misleading promotional webpage. Browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on deceptive and outright scam pages. Most visitors to these webpages access them via redirects generated by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

Browser hijackers are spread by intrusive advertisements as well. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears ordinary and harmless. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by MySites browser hijacker:

Website promoting MySites browser hijacker:

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

MySites 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.

MySites browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove MySites 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 "MySites" 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 "MySites", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.goog.mysitesext.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 "goog.mysitesext.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 goog.mysitesext.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 "MySites", 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 "MySites", remove hxxp://goog.mysitesext.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 goog.mysitesext.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 goog.mysitesext.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 goog.mysitesext.com website?

The motivation behind such redirects is profit. Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like goog.mysitesext.com.

Is visiting goog.mysitesext.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like goog.mysitesext.com typically collect visitor data with the goal of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove MySites browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications present. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system: after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. This software might also block access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Hence, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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