How to eliminate the Joyful Quotes browser hijacker

What kind of software is Joyful Quotes?

Joyful Quotes is a browser extension promising to display quotes from famous writers and figures. Our research team discovered this piece of software while inspecting dubious websites.

After analyzing Joyful Quotes, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This extension modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the goog.joyfullquotes.com fake search engine.

Joyful Quotes browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software assigns the addresses of promoted sites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tabs/windows. Joyful Quotes modifies browsers in this manner as well. Therefore, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the goog.joyfullquotes.com website.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers often utilize persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. Goog.joyfullquotes.com redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, this site could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Joyful Quotes likely has data-tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Joyful Quotes on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Joyful Quotes
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Joyful Quotes
Supposed Functionality	Displaying quotes from famous authors and figures
Promoted URL	goog.joyfullquotes.com
Detection Names (goog.joyfullquotes.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (goog.joyfullquotes.com)	104.21.19.97
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 analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; MySites, The Big 5, Foxy Tab, and Art And Weather are merely some examples.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and offers "useful" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed 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 Joyful Quotes install on my computer?

We obtained Joyful Quotes from its "official" promotional page. Browser hijackers are also endorsed on various scam sites. Most users access such webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites employing rogue advertising networks, 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 untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Additionally, intrusive advertisements spread browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – yet they redirect to unreliable/questionable (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by Joyful Quotes browser hijacker:

Website promoting Joyful Quotes browser hijacker:

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

Joyful Quotes 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.

Joyful Quotes browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

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

Redirects to websites like goog.joyfullquotes.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) profit through them.

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

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like goog.joyfullquotes.com usually collect (and sell) private information.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly spread 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 Joyful Quotes browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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