How to remove Whatodo browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Whatodo?
Our team assessed the Whatodo browser extension and determined that it functions as a browser hijacker. Its main objective is to promote gsrcunow.com, a fake search engine, by altering the settings of the compromised browser. Typically, users inadvertently introduce browser hijackers to their browsers.
Whatodo browser hijacker overview
The Whatodo browser extension alters multiple settings within the targeted browser. These adjustments include changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page settings to ensure that users are forced to visit gsrcunow.com. Nevertheless, it is important to exercise caution, as this fake search engine essentially reroutes users to bing.com, a search engine operated by Microsoft, in an effort to appear genuine.
The use of deceptive search engines like gsrcunow.com carries various risks. These search engines are commonly engineered to track user actions, gather personal data, and display tailored advertisements. Furthermore, counterfeit search engines may incorporate dubious advertisements and links that promote potentially harmful websites in their search results.
Removing fake search engines can be challenging, as they may resist attempts to change browser settings back to normal. Users may need to use specialized tools or follow detailed instructions to remove them.
| Name | Whatodo |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Whatodo |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | gsrcunow.com |
| Detection Names (gsrcunow.com) | Criminal IP (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (gsrcunow.com) | 18.160.143.126 |
| 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. |
Conclusion
To sum up, the Whatodo application operates as a browser hijacker, altering browser settings to endorse a deceptive search engine. Despite gsrcunow.com redirecting users to bing.com in an attempt to appear genuine, the utilization of fake search engines can cause various issues.
Using fake search engines and browser hijackers can put user privacy at risk, disrupt online activities, and expose individuals to unwanted advertisements and harmful content. Users should exercise caution when they come across unfamiliar browser extensions. More examples of applications that can hijack browsers are AI Image of the Day, Purrfect Tab, and Swift Searcher.
How did Whatodo install on my computer?
Many browser hijackers are bundled with seemingly legitimate software or applications that users willingly download and install. These bundled installers often come from untrustworthy sources. During the installation process, users may opt for the default or "Express" installation settings, which are often set to install additional software without their knowledge.
Moreover, interacting with misleading pop-up messages (e.g., fake security warnings), ads, or links may inadvertently initiate the installation of undesirable apps, including browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be cautious when you download and install software, especially if it is from sources you are not familiar with. It is a good practice to read user reviews and stay attentive while installing software. You can use the "Advanced" or "Custom" settings to unselect bundled software if that option is available.
Additionally, avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements, pop-ups, or links when surfing the web, as they can lead to browser hijacking. Refrain from granting permission to receive notifications from untrustworthy websites. If your computer is already infected with Whatodo, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Gsrcunow.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Whatodo browser hijacker:
Website promoting Whatodo browser hijacker:
Deceptive page promoting Whatodo application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Whatodo?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Whatodo application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Whatodo browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove gsrcunow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove gsrcunow.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Whatodo 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 gsrcunow.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Whatodo 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 "Whatodo" 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 "Whatodo", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gsrcunow.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 "gsrcunow.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 gsrcunow.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 "Whatodo", 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 "Whatodo", remove hxxp://gsrcunow.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 gsrcunow.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 gsrcunow.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 visit gsrcunow.com website?
The income of the creators of gsrcunow.com is closely tied to the number of visitors to their website.
Is visiting gsrcunow.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like gsrcunow.com can be associated with various risks, including privacy violations and exposure to potentially harmful content. Thus, visiting gsrcunow.com can cause various issues.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking apps primarily spread through bundled installation packages, online scams, misleading promotional websites, freeware and free file-sharing platforms, peer-to-peer sharing networks, spam notifications within browsers, intrusive advertisements, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Whatodo browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner conducts a thorough computer scan to pinpoint and remove any identified browser hijackers. In certain instances, manual removal attempts may fall short, especially when multiple hijackers coexist and can reinstall each other. Eliminating all these threats at once ensures an efficient and thorough solution.
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