How to eliminate the BudgetBuddy browser hijacker

What kind of software is BudgetBuddy?

Our research team found the BudgetBuddy browser extension during a routine investigation of suspicious sites. This extension is promoted as a tool that allows users to manage their monthly budget.

However, following our inspection, we determined that BudgetBuddy is a browser hijacker. It makes changes to browser settings in order to promote the uhereugo.com fake search engine.

BudgetBuddy browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, BudgetBuddy assigned uhereugo.com as the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to the uhereugo.com site.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate its removal.

Uhereugo.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com) at the time of research. This is standard for fake search engines, as they cannot generate search results. Keep in mind that uhereugo.com might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

Furthermore, browser hijackers typically have data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to BudgetBuddy. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, and finance-related information, etc. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like BudgetBuddy on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	BudgetBuddy
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	BudgetBuddy
Supposed Functionality	Monthly budget management tool
Promoted URL	uhereugo.com
Detection Names (uhereugo.com)	Criminal IP (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (uhereugo.com)	13.33.252.79
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 countless browser hijackers; NXD Fix, News Directory, and ChatGPT Check are merely a couple of examples. This software usually appears legitimate and offers various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. In fact, operational functions do not guarantee legitimacy or safety.

How did BudgetBuddy install on my computer?

We obtained BudgetBuddy from its "official" download page. Aside from these kinds of webpages, browser hijackers are pushed through scam sites. Users primarily access such pages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

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

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Additionally, installation must be treated with care. Therefore, we advise 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 careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Screenshot of the permissions asked by BudgetBuddy browser hijacker:

Screenshots of the website promoting BudgetBuddy browser hijacker:

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

BudgetBuddy 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.

BudgetBuddy browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove BudgetBuddy 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 "BudgetBuddy" 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 "BudgetBuddy", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.uhereugo.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 "uhereugo.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 uhereugo.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 "BudgetBuddy", 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 "BudgetBuddy", remove hxxp://uhereugo.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 uhereugo.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 uhereugo.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 uhereugo.com website?

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

Is visiting uhereugo.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like uhereugo.com usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, online scams, untrustworthy download sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove BudgetBuddy browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and remove installed browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible due to browser-hijacking software. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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