Removal instructions for the Horizon Timez browser hijacker

What kind of software is Horizon Timez?

Our research team discovered the Horizon Timez browser extension while investigating deceptive sites. It promises to display "video-themed" browser wallpapers. After examining this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Horizon Timez modifies browsers to promote the psrcfornow.com fake search engine.

Horizon Timez browser hijacker overview

Horizon Timez reassigns browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs to the psrcfornow.com webpage. Due to these modifications, search queries entered in the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to psrcfornow.com.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they lead to genuine Internet search websites. Psrcfornow.com is not an exception; it redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Keep in mind that this site could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.

Browser-hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring techniques, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate its removal.

Browser hijackers typically have data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of Horizon Timez. Information of interest can include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This vulnerable information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like Horizon Timez on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Horizon Timez
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Horizon Timez
Supposed Functionality	Video-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	psrcfornow.com
Detection Names (psrcfornow.com)	Criminal IP (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (psrcfornow.com)	18.154.101.59
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 examined numerous browser hijackers; Everywhere Weather, Nature Start, Abstract Start Page – are merely a couple of examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities. In most cases, these features are fake and nonoperational – their purpose is to lure users into downloading/installing the software.

It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an app works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Horizon Timez install on my computer?

We obtained Horizon Timez from its "official" download page. In addition to such sites, browser-hijacking software is often promoted on scam webpages. Users primarily enter these pages via redirects caused by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – parking regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser hijackers.

Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, features, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears genuine and harmless. For example, while intrusive adverts may look legitimate and innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

If you keep encountering such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all dubious applications on browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Horizon Timez, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of psrcfornow.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Horizon Timez browser hijacker:

Website promoting Horizon Timez browser hijacker:

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

Horizon Timez 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.

Horizon Timez browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

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

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

Is visiting psrcfornow.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites classified as fake search engines usually gather information about their visitors. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include: bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Horizon Timez browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Browser-hijacking software might also be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Hence, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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