How to eliminate the Animated BG browser hijacker

What kind of software is Animated BG?

Animated BG is a rogue extension that displays animated browser wallpapers. Our analysis of this piece of software revealed that it is a browser hijacker. It makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the search.animatedbg-tab.com fake search engine.

Animated BG browser hijacker overview

Typically, browser-hijacking software operates by assigning the addresses of promoted sites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs. Due to these changes, whenever a user opens a new browser tab/window or enters a search query into the URL bar – it results in redirects to the endorsed website.

Animated BG modifies browsers in this manner as well, and it generates redirects to the search.animatedbg-tab.com. Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they lead to genuine Internet search sites. At the time of research, search.animatedbg-tab.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Keep in mind that it could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers commonly utilize persistence-ensuring mechanisms to complicate removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, software within this classification typically has data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of the Animated BG browser extension.

Information of interest may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like Animated BG may cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Animated BG
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Animated BG
Supposed Functionality	Animated browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	search.animatedbg-tab.com
Detection Names (search.animatedbg-tab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.animatedbg-tab.com)	35.82.216.197
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

ZenSearch, Namaste Tab, BudgetBuddy, and NXD Fix are but a few examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

Browser-hijacking software tends to look legitimate and innocuous. It entices users into download/installation by promising various "handy" features. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be mentioned that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Animated BG install on my computer?

We obtained Animated BG from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser-hijacking software is often endorsed on scam webpages. Most visitors access these pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installations (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive adverts as well. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

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

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Animated BG, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Animated BG browser hijacker:

Website promoting Animated BG browser hijacker:

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

Animated BG 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.

Animated BG browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Animated BG 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 "Animated BG" 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 "Animated BG", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.animatedbg-tab.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 "search.animatedbg-tab.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 search.animatedbg-tab.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 "Animated BG", 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 "Animated BG", remove hxxp://search.animatedbg-tab.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 search.animatedbg-tab.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 search.animatedbg-tab.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 search.animatedbg-tab.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to sites like search.animatedbg-tab.com.

Is visiting search.animatedbg-tab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like search.animatedbg-tab.com tend to collect information about their visitors with the goal of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Animated BG browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (performed without security programs) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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