How to eliminate Car Club Wallpapers browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Car Club Wallpapers?
During our inspection, we discovered that while Car Club Wallpapers provides high-resolution wallpapers for the homepage, it also functions as a browser hijacker. When added to a browser, the Car Club Wallpapers extension alters some settings to promote a fake search engine.
Car Club Wallpapers browser hijacker overview
Car Club Wallpapers is designed to promote getcarclub.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It means that Car Club Wallpapers changes the settings of a web browser so that whenever the browser or a new tab is opened, it directs the user to getcarclub.com.
Any searches made using the browser's search function are routed through getcarclub.com, redirecting users to google.com. Getcarclub.com does not provide search results. Instead, users of this search engine are presented with results from Google, making getcarclub.com a fake search engine.
Fake search engines like getcarclub.com should not be used because they lack transparency and reliability. These engines often manipulate search results or collect user data without consent, jeopardizing privacy and security. Moreover, they may expose users to potentially harmful websites or deceptive advertisements, posing additional risks to their online experience.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using fake search engines and rely on reputable and trusted search providers for safe and accurate search results. Users with browsers hijacked by an app like Car Club Wallpapers should remove the app to avoid negative consequences.
Name | Car Club Wallpapers |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Car Club Wallpapers |
Supposed Functionality | Customized homepage |
Promoted URL | getcarclub.com |
Detection Names (getcarclub.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (getcarclub.com) | 104.26.14.8 |
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
In conclusion, Car Club Wallpapers, while offering high-resolution wallpapers, operates as a browser hijacker by altering browser settings to promote getcarclub.com. This deceptive behavior compromises user experience and poses risks to privacy and security.
Due to its misleading practices and potential for harm, users are advised to avoid installing or using Car Club Wallpapers and similar browser extensions that hijack browser settings. More examples of apps that function like Car Club Wallpapers are Pyropage, Searchfz, and Mycool Search.
How did Car Club Wallpapers install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are frequently packaged with other software, often free programs. Users may inadvertently install or add browser hijackers if they overlook options in the installation process, such as those found in "Advanced" or "Custom" settings, or fail to uncheck pre-selected boxes.
Moreover, these hijackers are often disguised as legitimate applications, with their hijacking functionality omitted from promotional materials. Additionally, browser hijackers are distributed through deceptive ads, fake software updates, third-party downloaders, and peer-to-peer networks, among other channels.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To maintain safety, rely on reputable sources like official websites and app stores for downloading apps and files. Be meticulous when reviewing installation settings to prevent accidental addition or installation of additional applications.
Additionally, prioritize regular updates for browsers and security software, employ trusted antivirus tools, and exercise caution when engaging with links, pop-ups, and ads from dubious sources. Regularly assess browser extensions and remove any unfamiliar or unnecessary ones to bolster security measures.
If your computer is already infected with Car Club Wallpapers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Getcarclub.com redirects to google.com (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Car Club Wallpapers?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Car Club Wallpapers application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Car Club Wallpapers browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove getcarclub.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove getcarclub.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Car Club Wallpapers 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 getcarclub.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Car Club Wallpapers 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 "Car Club Wallpapers" 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 "Car Club Wallpapers", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.getcarclub.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 "getcarclub.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 getcarclub.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 "Car Club Wallpapers", 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 "Car Club Wallpapers" , remove hxxp://getcarclub.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 getcarclub.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 getcarclub.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 getcarclub.com website?
The intention behind redirecting users to getcarclub.com is to drive traffic and accrue revenue for the operators of this search engine.
Is visiting getcarclub.com a threat to my privacy?
Using getcarclub.com as a search engine may compromise your privacy, as it could track your online activities and gather personal data. Moreover, if getcarclub.com is linked to malicious entities, it could escalate privacy concerns, potentially resulting in data breaches or identity theft.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Your browser may have been hijacked through various ways, including deceptive software installations, clicking on malicious links or ads, downloading files from untrustworthy sources, or visiting compromised websites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Car Club Wallpapers browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is equipped to scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. However, manual removal may not always be effective, particularly when dealing with multiple browser hijackers that can reinstall each other. Therefore, it is essential to remove all such applications simultaneously to ensure a complete solution.
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