How to remove FoodsIdea browser hijacker and the redirects it generates
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is FoodsIdea?
While browsing suspicious sites, our researchers discovered the FoodsIdea browser extension. It is endorsed as an easy-access tool for online cooking recipes. After analyzing this extension, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. FoodsIdea modifies browsers to promote (through redirects) the foodsidea.com fake search engine.
FoodsIdea browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers usually make modifications to browser settings by assigning promoted sites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs.
FoodsIdea operates in this fashion. With this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the foodsidea.com webpage.
In most cases, fake search engines cannot provide search results. Hence, they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Foodsidea.com is not an exception, and it leads to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is pertinent to mention that this site could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.
Additionally, browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.
Furthermore, FoodsIdea spies on users' browsing activity. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This vulnerable information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like FoodsIdea on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | FoodsIdea |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | FoodsIdea |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to cooking recipes |
| Promoted URL | foodsidea.com |
| Detection Names (foodsidea.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (foodsidea.com) | 18.244.155.63 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
MyFootballTab, Blushingfashionista, Grammar Jet, and Brain Gym Pro are just some examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently. Software within this classification usually appears legitimate and offers various functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if an extension or application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that does not prove its legitimacy or safety.
How did FoodsIdea install on my computer?
FoodsIdea has an "official" promotional webpages. Aside from such legitimate-looking pages, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam sites. Most users access these webpages via redirects generated by websites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The threat of inadvertently permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party sources. The risk is further compounded by treating installations with negligence, e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is essential to research software before downloading or purchasing it. All downloads must be made from official and trustworthy channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears genuine and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive advertisements redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with FoodsIdea, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of foodsidea.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by FoodsIdea browser hijacker:
Website promoting FoodsIdea 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:
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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 FoodsIdea?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove FoodsIdea browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove foodsidea.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove foodsidea.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
FoodsIdea 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.
FoodsIdea browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove FoodsIdea 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 "FoodsIdea" 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 "FoodsIdea", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.foodsidea.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 "foodsidea.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 foodsidea.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 "FoodsIdea", 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 "FoodsIdea", remove hxxp://foodsidea.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 foodsidea.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 foodsidea.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 foodsidea.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to websites like foodsidea.com.
Is visiting foodsidea.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Sites classed as fake search engines (e.g., foodsidea.com, etc.) usually collect and sell visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is primarily spread via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove FoodsIdea browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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