How to eliminate Lucky baro browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is "Lucky baro"?

While checking our untrustworthy websites, our researchers discovered the "Lucky baro" browser extension. It operates by changing browser settings to promote (via redirects) the barosearch.com illegitimate search engine. This behavior classifies Lucky baro as a browser hijacker.

Lucky baro browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, Lucky baro reassigned the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new browser tab/window URL to the barosearch.com website. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to this site.

Since fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, barosearch.com led to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation can impact redirects.

Most browser hijackers utilize persistence-ensuring techniques, such as restricting access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes – to prevent users from restoring their browsers. This is also true of Lucky baro.

What is more, this rogue browser extension likely spies on users' browsing activity. Browser-hijacking software typically targets the following data: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The collected data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like Lucky baro on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Lucky baro
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Lucky baro
Promoted URL	barosearch.com
Detection Names (barosearch.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (barosearch.com)	172.67.154.53
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 numerous browser hijackers; Bookmark, Quick World Clock, and Coffee Ext are just a couple of our newest finds.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. It also offers a wide variety of handy functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Lucky baro install on my computer?

We obtained Lucky baro from a deceptive webpage. In addition to various scam sites, browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages. Most visitors to these websites access them via redirects generated by sites employing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

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

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, and using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings to opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.).

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

If you keep experiencing ads and/or redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Lucky baro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Lucky baro browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Lucky baro browser hijacker:

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

Lucky baro 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.

Lucky baro browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "Lucky baro" 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 "Lucky baro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.barosearch.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 "barosearch.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 barosearch.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 "Lucky baro", 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 "Lucky baro", remove hxxp://barosearch.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 barosearch.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 barosearch.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 barosearch.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) profit through redirects to websites like barosearch.com.

Is visiting barosearch.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like barosearch.com tend to collect visitor data with the intent of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Lucky baro browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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