Removing Colour Cure browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Colour Cure?

Our research team found the Colour Cure browser extension during a routine inspection of dubious websites. This piece of software makes changes to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the colourcure.xyz illegitimate search engine. Due to this behavior, Colour Cure is classed as a browser hijacker.

Colour Cure browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs – to the addresses of fake search engines.

Colour Cure operates in this manner as well. Hence, with this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the colourcure.xyz page.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers commonly use persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines typically cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search sites. This also applies to colourcure.xyz; it leads to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It must be mentioned that this webpage could land elsewhere, as certain factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.) may influence redirects.

Furthermore, Colour Cure likely has data-tracking functionalities, as they are standard for browser-hijacking software. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, software like Colour Cure may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Colour Cure
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Colour Cure
Supposed Functionality	Displaying a color palette
Promoted URL	colourcure.xyz
Detection Names (colourcure.xyz)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (colourcure.xyz)	172.67.199.224
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

The Cryptology, QR Code Search, and Protected Browse are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

It is pertinent to mention that software within this classification may appear legitimate and offer "handy" functionalities. Yet the functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. However, it must be stressed that functional features do not guarantee a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Colour Cure install on my computer?

Colour Cure has an "official" download webpage. In addition to such, browser hijackers are commonly promoted on deceptive/scam sites. Users primarily enter these pages via redirects generated by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is a technique also used in browser hijacker distribution.

Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and treating installations with negligence (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

Additionally, intrusive adverts proliferate browser-hijacking software. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. We recommend treating installations with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

We also advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears genuine and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive adverts redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Appearance of colourcure.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Colour Cure browser hijacker:

Website promoting Colour Cure 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 Colour Cure?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Colour Cure browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove colourcure.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove colourcure.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Colour Cure 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.

Colour Cure browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Colour Cure 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 "Colour Cure" 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 "Colour Cure", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.colourcure.xyz) 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 "colourcure.xyz", 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 colourcure.xyz 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 "Colour Cure", 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 "Colour Cure", remove hxxp://colourcure.xyz 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 colourcure.xyz 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 colourcure.xyz 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on colourcure.xyz redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit colourcure.xyz website?

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

Is visiting colourcure.xyz a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites classed as fake search engines (e.g., colourcure.xyz, etc.) typically collect visitor data. This information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used proliferation methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Colour Cure browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking apps present. Note that manual removal (performed without security software) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion