How to remove Inspirational Quotes Ext from a hijacked browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Inspirational Quotes Ext?
While inspecting the Inspirational Quotes Ext application, we noticed that it takes control over a web browser by making certain changes in its settings. Apps of this type are known as browser hijackers. It is worth noting that most users unknowingly download and add apps like Inspirational Quotes Ext to their browsers.
Inspirational Quotes Ext browser hijacker overview
The Inspirational Quotes Ext app is promoted as a tool that allows users to access inspirational quotes and select backgrounds from its curated collection of images. Nevertheless, upon closer examination, it has come to light that Inspirational Quotes Ext exhibits characteristics commonly associated with browser hijackers.
This extension sets the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to bing.com, a recognized and legitimate search engine. Despite its promotion of bing.com, there are several reasons why Inspirational Quotes Ext should not be fully trusted.
The extension alters browser settings without the user's consent or clear notification. This unauthorized change can be considered intrusive and deceptive. Also, browser hijackers, even when promoting legitimate search engines, can still engage in deceptive practices, such as tracking user data or displaying ads without consent.
In summary, while the promotion of bing.com might seem innocuous, it is the potentially unauthorized changes to browser settings and potential privacy implications that make Inspirational Quotes Ext untrustworthy. Users should exercise caution and consider removing such extensions from their browsers to ensure a more secure and user-friendly online experience.
Name | Inspirational Quotes Ext |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Inspirational Quotes Ext |
Supposed Functionality | Inspirational quotes in new tab |
Promoted URL | bing.com |
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. |
More about apps of this type
Browser hijackers often embed themselves deeply within the system, making them challenging to remove completely. Some browser hijackers can be designed to resist removal attempts. Also, browser hijackers can slow down system performance and internet browsing due to the constant redirection of searches and the display of intrusive ads.
Examples of apps designed to hijack browsers are Dog Cuties, Brick PDF, and Lucky baro.
How did Inspirational Quotes Ext install on my computer?
Browser hijackers frequently infiltrate users' browsers during the installation of seemingly benign or cost-free software obtained from untrustworthy sources. Some software packages incorporate browser hijackers without transparent disclosure, leaving users susceptible to unwanted changes in their browser settings.
Moreover, engaging with deceptive advertisements, pop-ups, or malicious links is another common pathway to browser hijacking.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To safeguard against these threats, exercise vigilance when downloading and installing software, especially from unverified sources. Reading user reviews, scrutinizing installation options for bundled software, and selecting "Advanced" or "Custom" settings to deselect additional apps can also help prevent unintentional installations.
Additionally, refraining from clicking on suspicious advertisements or pop-ups and avoiding interaction with dubious links online can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to browser hijacking. If your computer is already infected with Inspirational Quotes Ext, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Inspirational Quotes Ext shows bing.com results (GIF):
Permissions asked by Inspirational Quotes Ext browser hijacker:
Website promoting Inspirational Quotes Ext browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Inspirational Quotes Ext?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Inspirational Quotes Ext application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Inspirational Quotes Ext browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bing.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Inspirational Quotes Ext 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 bing.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Inspirational Quotes Ext 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 "Inspirational Quotes Ext" 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 "Inspirational Quotes Ext", look for "hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 inspirational quotes ext 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 "Inspirational Quotes Ext", 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 "Inspirational Quotes Ext", remove hxxp://bing.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 inspirational quotes ext 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 inspirational quotes ext 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 use a fake search engine?
The objective behind coercing users to utilize a fake search engine is to manipulate their online activities and gather data for various purposes. Fake search engines might generate revenue through sponsored search results and advertisements, and they can also track users' search queries, browsing habits, and personal information.
Is visiting a fake search engine a threat to my privacy?
Interacting with fake search engines can compromise your privacy and expose you to potential risks of data misuse and unauthorized access.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker could have infiltrated your computer if you obtained software from sources that lack reliability or engaged with deceptive ads, pop-ups, or links. These hijackers are sometimes packaged alongside other software installations, often without users' awareness of their installation or inclusion.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Inspirational Quotes Ext browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will thoroughly scan your computer and effectively eliminate browser-hijacking applications. Attempting manual removal may not yield comprehensive results, particularly when dealing with multiple hijackers capable of self-reinstallation. In such cases, users must remove browser-hijacking applications simultaneously.
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