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How to remove MyWallPaper browser hijacker

Also Known As: mywallpaper.co redirect
Damage level: Medium

What kind of application is MyWallPaper?

While assessing the MyWallPaper, it became apparent that its primary goal is to operate as a browser hijacker, with the objective of endorsing mywallpaper.co, a fraudulent search engine. This extension modifies web browser settings to establish control over it. To avoid potential damage, users with browsers hijacked by MyWallPaper should remove the app as soon as possible.

mywallpaper.co browser hijacker

MyWallPaper browser hijacker overview

The MyWallPaper extension, in its pursuit of promoting the deceptive search engine mywallpaper.co, brings about unwelcome changes in web browser settings. These alterations primarily affect the default search engine, homepage, and new tab settings. By modifying these settings, MyWallPaper redirects users' search queries through mywallpaper.co.

Mywallpaper.co provides search results from Bing (bing.com), a legitimate search engine. However, it is essential to recognize that the hijacked browser's search functionality is under the control of the MyWallPaper extension. This means that user data, including search queries, browsing history, and clickstream data, can be collected by MyWallPaper and potentially shared with third parties for various purposes, including targeted advertising.

The changes enforced by MyWallPaper on browser settings and data collection practices not only disrupt the user's browsing experience but also pose significant privacy and security concerns. Users are urged to promptly remove the MyWallPaper extension from their browsers to regain control over their settings, safeguard their privacy, and ensure a safer online experience.

Threat Summary:
Name MyWallPaper
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) MyWallPaper
Supposed Functionality Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL mywallpaper.co
Detection Names (mywallpaper.co) N/Aa (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (mywallpaper.co) 18.154.110.99
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), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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Conclusion

To sum up, browser hijackers represent a menace to the online security and privacy of users. These deceptive software applications disguise themselves as useful tools, tricking unsuspecting users into their installation or integration.

After being added, they take command of browser settings and monitor users' activities, potentially resulting in data breaches and exposing various security vulnerabilities. Examples of apps that hijack browsers are Key Searchs, Quick Email, and Quick Workspace.

How did MyWallPaper install on my computer?

Adding a browser hijacker to your browser can happen when you download and install software or browser extensions from untrusted or unreliable sources. Sometimes, these hijackers are bundled with other programs, and users may not notice them during installation. Clicking suspicious pop-up ads and links or downloading files from unverified websites can also lead to unintentional browser hijacker installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Only download software and browser extensions from official websites or well-known app stores like Google Play, Apple App Store, or official pages. Avoid downloading from sources like P2P networks, third-party downloaders, dubious pages, torrent sites, etc. Refrain from clicking on suspicious pop-up ads or advertisements.

When installing new software or browser extensions, choose the "Advanced," "Custom," or similar settings. This allows you to review and decline any additional applications bundled with the software. Be cautious when clicking on links in emails, especially if they seem unusual or unexpected.

If your computer is already infected with MyWallPaper, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Mywallpaper.co redirects to bing.com (GIF):

mywallpaper.co redirects to bing.com

Permissions asked by MyWallPaper browser hijacker:

MyWallPaper browser hijacker asking for permissions

Website promoting MyWallPaper browser hijacker:

Website used to promote MyWallPaper browser hijacker Website promoting MyWallPaper browser hijacker 2

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Quick menu:

MyWallPaper browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

mywallpaper.co browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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 mywallpaper.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

MyWallPaper browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove MyWallPaper browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing mywallpaper.co related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "MyWallPaper" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing mywallpaper.co from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "MyWallPaper", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.mywallpaper.co) 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:

Removing mywallpaper.co from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 "mywallpaper.co", 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 mywallpaper.co redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing mywallpaper.co related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "MyWallPaper", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing mywallpaper.co from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "MyWallPaper", remove hxxp://mywallpaper.co and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing mywallpaper.co from Mozilla Firefox 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 Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with mywallpaper.co redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the mywallpaper.co redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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 visit mywallpaper.co website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit a fake search engine like mywallpaper.co through a browser hijacker is typically to generate revenue for the hijacker's creators. Increasing the website's traffic can make it appear more legitimate and potentially attract more users, boosting ad revenue.

Is visiting mywallpaper.co a threat to my privacy?

Visiting mywallpaper.co, a fake search engine through a browser hijacker, can potentially pose a threat to your privacy. Fake search engines often collect data about your online activities, including search queries, websites you visit, and sometimes even personal information. This data can be used for various purposes, including targeted advertising or even sold to third parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

If you have obtained software from unreliable sources or interacted with misleading advertisements, pop-ups, or links, your computer could have been affected by a browser hijacker. Furthermore, browser hijackers are occasionally bundled with other software, frequently without the user's awareness. Users end up having their browsers hijacked when they finish installations without deselecting browser hijackers.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove MyWallPaper browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner will scan your computer for browser hijackers and remove them when found. Manual removal may not be enough in some cases, especially when multiple hijackers are present and reinstall each other. Removing all of them together ensures an effective solution.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
mywallpaper.co redirect QR code
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